I haven't posted much on the disgusting attack which resulted in the death of 15 year old Michael McIlveen at the weekend because I knew posting in the immediate aftermath would result in a lot of political ballocks. It comes as no surprise that my lack of posting hasn't prevented others from turning a tragic death into a sickening display of sectarian politics.

It started off so promisingly, with the family's MP Ian Paisley praying for the boy with the family. The family then showed a tremendous amount of character in later inviting Paisley to the funeral (which I hope, safety concerns aside, he can attend). I don't like Ian Paisley as a poltiician but I believe his motives on this are genuine. From all I gather he is an excellent MP, regardless of your religion and I furher believe that he lacks either the media savvy/complete lack of morals (delete as appropriate) to make PR stunts out of events like this. Unfortunately, from there it all went sadly downhill.

Follow up:

First we have the Daily Ireland (AKARavda). Outraged by this apparent display of understanding they seek out a random bigoted unionist politician, just to remind their readers (both of them) that all unionists are evil. Of course they don't have to look to far in the ranks of the DUP/Free Presbyterian church before they come across Roy Gillespie, someone I've never heard of before and hope I never do again.

The insensitive and apparently deranged DUP councillor claims the murdered boy won't enter heaven (unless he's repented) because he's a Catholic. Even if we allow for the fact that Mr Gillespie is entitled to his own views, as pointed out on Slugger, would it really have been so difficult to say "No comment"? For reasons of my own, I don't believe Mr Gillespie will enter heaven, but that's another issue.

Then of course there is Sinn Fein, never shy to abuse an emotive and sensitive issue to pursue their own agenda. Having had no qualms abusing the worthwhile cause of suicide prevention to set up another apparently unncessary all-Ireland agency I'm saddened, but not surprised, that they have decided to make hay while the sun shines, taking advantage of the death of a young teenager to push for executive 'power sharing' to be implemented at Ballymena Council (where Sinn Fein have a massive one councillor).

It's not all bad I suppose. Presbyterian Moderator Dr Harry Uprichard and Fr Sean Connolly met the family together today to offer sympathy and express their disgust at the attack. Dr Uprichard took the opportunity to plead for an end to the sectarian tensions presently afflicting gangs of youths in the town. Sadly I fear his words will go unheeded and suspect Michael's family will not be the last to endure the awful situation they've been placed in because of this mindless attack.

Update Looks like I was right. I hadn't even finished typing this post when I found a 16 year old girl and friend of Michael McIlveen had been threatened today because her parents are of mixed religion.