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McIlveen murder verdicts welcomed | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Three Ballymena men have been found guilty of the sectarian murder of Catholic schoolboy Michael McIlveen. | Three Ballymena men have been found guilty of the sectarian murder of Catholic schoolboy Michael McIlveen. |
The 15-year-old was beaten to death in the County Antrim town in May 2006. | The 15-year-old was beaten to death in the County Antrim town in May 2006. |
Aaron Cavana Wallace, 20, of Moat Road, Christopher Francis Kerr, 22, of Carnduff Drive and Jeff Colin Lewis, 19, Rossdale, were convicted of murder. | Aaron Cavana Wallace, 20, of Moat Road, Christopher Francis Kerr, 22, of Carnduff Drive and Jeff Colin Lewis, 19, Rossdale, were convicted of murder. |
"We welcome these verdicts and feel that justice has been done," said Michael McIlveen's sister Jodie outside Antrim Crown Court. | "We welcome these verdicts and feel that justice has been done," said Michael McIlveen's sister Jodie outside Antrim Crown Court. |
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Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray gives his response to the verdicts. | |
"It is impossible to describe what we have been through in almost three years. | "It is impossible to describe what we have been through in almost three years. |
"Michael will always be in our thoughts and we loved him dearly - he was in our minds first thing in the morning and the last thing at night." | "Michael will always be in our thoughts and we loved him dearly - he was in our minds first thing in the morning and the last thing at night." |
Jodie McIlveen said her family wanted to thank the witnesses who "came forward and told their stories, police, prosecutors, family and friends". | Jodie McIlveen said her family wanted to thank the witnesses who "came forward and told their stories, police, prosecutors, family and friends". |
"We also sympathize with the families of the accused - the trial is now over and we can try and rebuild our lives." | "We also sympathize with the families of the accused - the trial is now over and we can try and rebuild our lives." |
Christopher Andrew McLeister, 18, of Knockeen Crescent, Ballymena, was convicted of the manslaughter of the teenager, who was nicknamed Micky Bo. | Christopher Andrew McLeister, 18, of Knockeen Crescent, Ballymena, was convicted of the manslaughter of the teenager, who was nicknamed Micky Bo. |
Paul Edward David Henson, 18, of Condiere Avenue, was found guilty of affray and criminal damage. | Paul Edward David Henson, 18, of Condiere Avenue, was found guilty of affray and criminal damage. |
Michael McIlveen died after being attacked by a gang in May 2006 | |
At the start of the trial, Mervyn Wilson Moon, 20, of Douglas Terrace in the town, admitted murdering the schoolboy. | At the start of the trial, Mervyn Wilson Moon, 20, of Douglas Terrace in the town, admitted murdering the schoolboy. |
The jury, by direction of the court, had previously cleared Peter Gavin McMullan, 18, of Meadowvale, of murder after he pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage. | The jury, by direction of the court, had previously cleared Peter Gavin McMullan, 18, of Meadowvale, of murder after he pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage. |
Speaking after the verdicts, Mr Justice Treacy thanked the jury for their "remarkable commitment during a long and difficult trial". | Speaking after the verdicts, Mr Justice Treacy thanked the jury for their "remarkable commitment during a long and difficult trial". |
Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray said: "Hopefully these verdicts will go some small way to lessening the pain and grief endured by the McIlveen family over almost three years. | Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray said: "Hopefully these verdicts will go some small way to lessening the pain and grief endured by the McIlveen family over almost three years. |
"The verdicts will not bring Michael back but, hopefully, they will assist a healing process." | "The verdicts will not bring Michael back but, hopefully, they will assist a healing process." |
Sentencing is due to take place in early April. | Sentencing is due to take place in early April. |