Murder probe launched after death of attack victim

Police in the North have launched a murder investigation following the death of a Catholic teenager who was attacked by loyalists in Co Antrim over the weekend.

Sixteen-year-old Michael McIlveen died in hospital last night from injuries he sustained in the sectarian attack shortly after midnight on Sunday.

The teenager was walking home with friends when they were chased by a gang of loyalist youths.

His friends managed to flee, but he was stabbed and beaten with baseball bats.

The youngster managed to stagger home, but his condition deteriorated and he was rushed to hospital, where he lost his fight for life last night.

The PSNI has arrested five youths in connection with the murder.