Loyalists pledge to continue anti-sectarian drive

Loyalists in the North pledged today to continue an anti-sectarian drive in the town where a Catholic schoolboy was beaten to death.

But the Ulster Political Research Group admitted the killing of Michael McIlveen, 15, could damage cross-community initiatives in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

Darran Smyth, a spokesman for the body which advises the UDA, said: “The UPRG in Ballymena want to condemn this murder.

“We know there’s a possibility that through the tragic death of this young lad we will see a setback in the community work going on here.

“But we want to assure people we will continue to endeavour to do everything in our power to combat sectarianism and bring an end to it within the Borough of Ballymena.”

Michael was battered with a baseball bat after being chased and cornered by a gang in the town early on Sunday. He died in hospital a day later.

Police were today continuing to question five suspects – four men and a juvenile – about the sectarian murder which has numbed Ballymena.

Efforts to bridge the festering divisions between rival Protestant and Catholic factions in the town had included loyalists taking down flags and murals around the once-besieged Harryville Chapel.

But the threat of revenge and further violence has weighed heavy since the St Patrick’s High School pupil’s horrific death.

Mr Smyth, who was involved in the mediation attempts, added: “We realise tensions are going to be high.

“People probably won’t be as forthcoming as they were.

“But we will be striving to do everything in our power to ensure tragic circumstances such as this never happens again.”