Five people have been charged in Ballymena with the sectarian murder of Michael McIlveen at the weekend. Three of the five are too young to be named. Aaron Wallace (18), from Moat Road, and Christopher Kerr (19), from Carnduff Drive, both Ballymena, replied "not guilty" when they were formally accused at Antrim police station, the court heard.
The 15-year-old said "no" when charged, while the other two, both 17, said nothing in court.
There was a significant police presence as the five were led from court to be held in custody to appear again on June 8th.
There were shouts of abuse and some of support for the suspects from the public gallery.
The PSNI are questioning a further two suspects and have called for other potential witnesses to come forward.
Supt Raymond Murray, who heads the PSNI inquiry, said: "As the investigating officer for this case, I have a bit of a concern that with people appearing in court and charged, the public think that's the end of it.
"But the work for us is only just beginning. I have another two persons in custody. This is an ongoing case and it's vital that these people come forward to me as soon as possible."
The family of the murdered boy have said North Antrim MP Ian Paisley would be welcome at the funeral, which is not expected to be held before next week.
The dead youth's uncle, Francis McIlveen, told BBC Radio Ulster yesterday: "I would like him to be there. He was the first one to ring me at the hospital. He is the MP for the area and, to me, he has the right to be there."
Sinn Féin said yesterday it hoped the Assembly, which meets at Stormont on Monday for the first time since suspension in October 2002, would observe a minute's silence.
The party also said some hunger strike commemorations would not now be held this weekend.
Philip McGuigan, a North Antrim Assembly member, said Sinn Féin cancelled the event in an effort to ease community tensions.
"It became obvious to us that there were elements within unionism and loyalism that were intent on causing some kind of protest on Friday night, so we had no desire to do anything that would add to community tensions," he said.