Funeral service for murdered schoolboy takes place

The funeral of murdered schoolboy Michael McIlveen has taken place in his home town of Ballymena.

The 15-year-old died last Monday after being beaten to death by a gang as he returned home after a night out with friends at the weekend, in what is believed to have been a sectarian attack.

Thousands of mourners attended the funeral at All Saints Church in the town. The friends of the teenager wore 'rival' Celtic and Rangers football shirts all with the same message printed on the back, reading 'Mickey-Bo RIP' as a sign of unity.

Mayor of Ballymena, Tommy Nicholl praised the solidarity of the teenagers attending the funeral.

He said: "I would like to think it's the beginning of the healing process. Ballymena certainly needs it. I would plead for people on both sides to draw back from the brink and allow me to give leadership."

During Requiem Mass, a number of Michael's school-friends read out passages and the nearby St Patrick's College which Michael attended, remained closed as a mark of respect.

Speaking before the funeral, Michael's uncle, Francis, said the family hoped that something positive would come out of the tragedy, and added that there was no room for bitterness or hatred.

He said: "If they can learn anything from Michael's death it is to show people they need to wise up and get a grip of themselves. We don't want another family going through the exact same thing."

Father Paul Symonds had community reconciliation as the main theme in his homily.

He said: "The family have been deeply moved by the love and concern shown to them.

"They have shown a wonderful example.

"Throughout this whole time I have never heard one tiny word of recrimination or condemnation - they have borne their grief with incredible dignity."

He said that Michael had "lived a life which embraced all sides in the community".

The murder has called for community leaders to so more to prevent sectarian violence throughout the province.

Attending the funeral were Mayor of Ballymena, who represented the DUP leader Ian Paisley, who was unable to attend the service due to Westminster commitments, Sinn Fein's chief negotiator Martin McGuinness and Philip McGuigan, and representatives from the SDLP, including Sean Farren.

Six teenagers have been charged with Michael's murder and a seventh has been accused of affray.

Tensions have remained high in the town since the murder, due to fear of a reprisal by Republican groups.

(EF/SP)