Northern Ireland

Michael McIlveen's mother to stand trial accused of assaulting one of her son's killers

Gina McIlveen who has been charged with assault. Picture by Pacemaker Press
Gina McIlveen who has been charged with assault. Picture by Pacemaker Press Gina McIlveen who has been charged with assault. Picture by Pacemaker Press

THE mother of murdered schoolboy Michael McIlveen will go on trial next month accused of assaulting one of her son's killers.

Gina McIlveen (46) was excused from attending Antrim Magistrates Court today where it was heard there will be two witnesses to testify at her contest which has been scheduled for October 24.

Ms McIlveen, from Glendun Drive in Ballymena, Co Antrim, is accused of assaulting Mervyn Moon on August 14 this year.

Defence solicitor Aidan Carlin told an earlier court hearing that, having taken instructions from his client, she intended to contest the charges.

Moon, of Douglas Terrace in Ballymena, was jailed for a minimum of 10 years after pleading guilty to the murder of the 15 year-old in his home town in 2006.

The schoolboy was chased by a sectarian gang before being kicked and beaten with a baseball bat in an entry.

He died later in hospital from brain injuries.

Mervyn Moon
Mervyn Moon Mervyn Moon

Moon pleaded guilty to murder at the start of the trial in September 2008. He administered the fatal blow.

Three others have also been convicted in connection with the murder.

Jeff Colin Lewis, of Rossdale, was described in court as having played a “secondary role”.

After a retrial in 2013 he was convicted and sentenced to serve a minimum of eight years of a life term.

Christopher Kerr, of Carnduff Drive, Ballymena, who lifted the baseball bat from a house close to where Michael was attacked, was given a minimum nine-year tariff, while Aaron Wallace, of Moat Road in the town, was given a minimum eight-year tariff.

Murdered schoolboy Michael McIlveen. Picture by Alan Lewis
Murdered schoolboy Michael McIlveen. Picture by Alan Lewis Murdered schoolboy Michael McIlveen. Picture by Alan Lewis