Teenager kicked to death ‘because he was Traveller’

A TEENAGER was kicked to death because he was a member of the Irish Travelling community, a court heard yesterday.

Johnny Delaney, aged 15, died from head injuries following an attack in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, on May 28.

Two 16-year-old youths are on trial for the murder of the youngster, who lived with a Travelling community on the Tara site in Liverpool.

Johnny’s family claim he was killed because he spoke with a distinct Irish accent. Chester Crown Court heard yesterday that as Johnny lay dying, one of his alleged attackers said he deserved it because “he was only a f**king gypsy.”

Following the assault, Johnny was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital, where he later died.

The two accused boys were part of a group of local teens who became involved in a fight with a group from a Travellers’ site in Ellesmere Port.

Johnny was with the group of Travelling youngsters, having come across from Liverpool to visit friends.

Prosecuting lawyer Christopher Vospa QC said he would argue a confrontation began when one of the defendants’ group called out “gypsy bastard.” The jury heard that after a small altercation on a playing field, Johnny and his friends ran off. As he was running away, Johnny fell to the ground and was set upon.