THE mother of murdered Co Antrim schoolboy Michael McIlveen has appeared in court accused of assaulting one of her son's killers.
Standing in the dock of Antrim Magistrates Court 46-year-old Gina McIlveen confirmed she understood the single charge against her.
Ms McIlveen, from Glendun Drive in Ballymena, is accused of assaulting Mervyn Moon on August 14 this year.
While a prosecuting lawyer withdrew an allegation that Ms McIlveen possessed a weapon, a police officer told the court he believed he could connect the defendant to the charge of common assault.
Defence solicitor Aidan Carlin told the court that his client intended to contest the case and asked for it to be adjourned for two weeks.
Both Mr Carlin and the Public Prosecution Service lawyer said they would have witness availability by that time so the matter could be fixed for contest at that stage.
Releasing Ms MvIlveen, District Judge Oonagh Mullan excused her from attending court on September 19 but advised her to "keep in contact with your solicitor."
Moon, from 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 hometown in 2006.
The schoolboy, who was known to his family and friends as Mickeybo, was kicked and beaten with a baseball bat in an alleyway after being chased by a sectarian gang. He died later in hospital from brain injuries inflicted during the assault.
Moon had pleaded guilty to murder at the start of the trial in September 2008.
It was Moon who administered the fatal blow to the victim after striking him with the baseball bat.
Three others have also been convicted in connection with the murder.
Jeff Colin Lewis from Rossdale, described in court as having played a "secondary role" in the murder was sentenced following a retrial in 2013, to serve a minimum of eight years of a life sentence.
Christopher Kerr, from 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 from Moat Road, in the town, was given a minimum eight year tariff.
