Northern Ireland

Meli family condemn anti-social behaviour at Twinbrook rally

Vanessa Burke, mother of Christopher Meli, bursts into tears as she addresses the crowd at a rally in Twinbrook. Picture by Justin Kernoghan
Vanessa Burke, mother of Christopher Meli, bursts into tears as she addresses the crowd at a rally in Twinbrook. Picture by Justin Kernoghan Vanessa Burke, mother of Christopher Meli, bursts into tears as she addresses the crowd at a rally in Twinbrook. Picture by Justin Kernoghan

AROUND 100 people took to the streets at the weekend to call for an end to anti-social behaviour in the Twinbrook area of west Belfast.

The family of Christopher Meli (20), who was beaten to death in December, led the "Take Our Streets Back" rally close to the murder scene on Saturday afternoon.

Up to 20 people are believed to have been involved in the attack on Mr Meli at Glasvey Close.

Three teenagers have appeared in court charged with the murder.

The victim's mother Vanessa Burke broke down as she addressed the crowd, saying: "I miss my son every day and I’m never going to be the same as I was and my children are going to have to suffer with that for the rest of their days."

The Meli family are also to hold a 'Justice for Christopher' fundraising night at Trinity Lodge on March 5.