The trial of Northern Ireland sectarian murder victim Michael McIlveen has heard how the Catholic schoolboy was "nailed" with a baseball bat which was swung at times like a golf club, and kicked up to 60 times.

The claims were made by a friend of the 15-year-old who also told of his vain attempts to save him in a video-taped police interview.

15-year-old Michael McIlveen died from head injuries in hospital the day after he was chased and set upon in May 2006.

In a taped police interview his friend told how, as he fought off and held one attacker, another would take his place, and how, during the five minute brutal assault, he pleaded with the attackers to "leave Michael alone".

The now 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said afterwards he knew there "something seriously wrong" with the schoolboy.

The tape was played at the Antrim Crown Court trial of six Ballymena youths and men facing charges arising out of the teenager`s murder.

20-year-old Mervyn Wilson Moon from Douglas Terrace in Ballymena has already pleaded guilty to murder.