SDLP politician ‘horrified’ by accusations on youth website
SDLP assembly member Sean Farren urged schools to ensure young people are not posting messages on school computers which name and threaten young people they believe are responsible for the murder of Michael McIlveen.
Messages appeared on a youth website yesterday accusing some young people of the attack in Ballymena which claimed Michael’s life.
The murder has been blamed on sectarian tensions.
Mr Farren said he was deeply alarmed by comments about the murder.
“I am absolutely horrified to see comments from young people naming and threatening people they consider responsible for the murder and others exulting over the killing of this young boy,” the North Antrim MLA said.
“Some of these comments are clearly libellous, others might be prejudicial in any trial and most are absolutely poisonous.
“It is clear that those posting these messages attend schools in the area and some of them are foolish enough to post their pictures.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) also confirmed it was monitoring the comments about the killing in the website chatroom.
Mr Farren said: “I understand the police are investigating the site but I would also ask schools in the area to ensure that no hate messages are being posted from school computers.
“We are facing difficult days in Ballymena.
“Words of condemnation of sectarian violence are not enough.
“The family of Michael McIlveen must be given space to grieve and we must all take action to stop the hate and make sure this cannot happen again.
“The young people who are now spewing sectarian hate have learned it from adults and the adults — starting with parents but including community leaders and politicians — must now take responsibility to put a stop to it.”
HERE are some of the comments posted on the bebo social networking website (all as written, except for moderated expletives):
Cian: “f**k you. i don’t know you, but i know enoguh people affected by what you did to michael, you are the scum of the earth and i hope you rot in a cell the rest of your life.”
Clare: ” i dont even live near ballymena jus cin tht on news but thts wild feel so sorry 4 his mum n dad n family use r rotton we pricks! hope use do get wat use deserve whoever don it.”
Rachel: “I don’t even no u jus herd of u form mates talkn but u n ur mates hav seriously f**ked up minds.”
Annmarie: “Dey deserve 2 be f**in skined alive da bastards I cnt belive it lik! I reali cant get my head rund it der a shower of bastards dat dune it! Xxxx”
