Loyalist attacks

LOYALISTS had attacked mourners on their way to the funeral of murdered Catholic schoolboy Michael McIlveen, it was claimed last night.

Police confirmed they were investigating reports that a car was stoned near a cemetery in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

A Sinn Féin representative in the staunchly Protestant town claimed a loyalist crowd waved placards — claiming it was under siege — in front of mourners travelling to the Crebilly graveyard.

“The so-called protesters then surrounded and stoned two cars in Ballykeel — en route to the funeral of Michael McIlveen — and were heard to shout ‘kill the Fenians’,” said councillor Monica Digney.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said officers were probing the claims, though, “we have no reports of any injuries or damage”, he added.