Four get life for McIlveen murder

Michael McIlveen was beaten to death in Ballymena in May 2006.

Four Ballymena men have been jailed for life over the murder of 15-year-old boy Michael McIlveen in the town.

He was beaten to death in May 2006. The judge blamed a "lethal cocktail of drugs, drink, youth and sectarianism".

Aaron Cavana Wallace, 20, of Moat Road, Christopher Francis Kerr, 22, of Carnduff Drive and Jeff Colin Lewis, 19, Rossdale, were convicted of murder.

Mervyn Wilson Moon, 20, of Douglas Terrace, admitted the murder at the start of the trial in September 2008.

The highest minimum tariff of 13 years was handed to Kerr, whom the judge said had shown no remorse for his actions and had lied consistently throughout the trial.

Michael's sister Jodie spoke of their disappointment

Mr Justice Treacy at Antrim Crown Court said the fact that he had also gone to his grandmother's house to obtain the baseball bat showed his part in the murder was premeditated.

Wallace and Lewis were given 11-year tariffs - lesser terms because they had no part in procuring the bat or using it, the judge said.

Lewis was also given an additional one month in prison for a charge of criminal damage.

"As I have said, Michael was only 15 at the time of his murder and its devastating impact on his entire family has been set out in a moving victim impact statement signed by his mother," Mr Treacy added.

Michael lived for 15 years and not one of the defendants will serve this length of time for his death Jodie McIlveen Victim's sister

Speaking outside the court, Michael's sister Jodie said the family were "unhappy" with the sentence.

"We all believe that life should mean life," she said.

"Michael lived for 15 years and not one of the defendants will serve this length of time for his death.

"Whilst every defendant in the case now knows when their life will start again, as a family our life will never be the same again without Michael."

'Remorse'

Passing sentence, Mr Treacy gave Moon credit for his timely plea of guilty and said he had shown clear and genuine remorse for his actions. He was given a 10-year minimum tariff.

Christopher McLeister, 18, of Knockeen Crescent, Ballymena, was given a three-year sentence suspended for two years for the teenager's manslaughter.

This lethal cocktail of drugs, drink, youth and sectarianism provided the context in which this murder occurred Mr Justice Treacy

The judge said he did not believe the public interest would be served by giving him an immediate custodial sentence and said he was certain the defendant would not trouble the courts again.

Paul Hanson, 18, of Condiere Avenue, who was found guilty of affray and criminal damage, was sentenced to a total of 10 months.

Peter McMullen, 18, of Meadowvale, Ballymena, who the jury had cleared of murder by direction of the court, was given a conditional discharge for causing criminal damage.

Mr Treacy described the death of Michael as "a brutal and sectarian murder".

"This lethal cocktail of drugs, drink, youth and sectarianism provided the context in which this murder occurred," he said.

In a statement read out to the court, Michael's mother, Gina, said: "For anyone to have their son taken from them so suddenly is a horrendous experience, but for it to occur in such a violent manner and the public attention that followed, only magnifies it.

He made me so proud to see the young man he grew into and I just hope he realises how much we all love and miss him Gina McIlveen

"Michael was a brilliant wee fella and we were very close. He was happy-go-lucky and always had a big smile.

"He made me so proud to see the young man he grew into and I just hope he realises how much we all love and miss him."