The Taoiseach has added his voice to the condemnation of the sectarian attack which resulted in the death of a 15-year-old Catholic boy in Co Antrim.
Michael McIIveen died in hospital last night after being assaulted by a loyalist gang in Ballymena on Sunday.
A murder inquiry is under way and five people are being questioned.
Bertie Ahern said those responsible for the brutal crime stand condemned in the eyes of all decent people and must face the full rigours of the law.
Yesterday the leader of the DUP, Ian Paisley, met with the McIlveen family after what he termed the horrific attack which left the 15-year-old dead.
Dr Paisley also appealed for calm saying any reprisal would serve no purpose other than to make matters worse. He called on all sides to pull back from the brink before tragedy is multiplied by catastrophe.
The Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, said the death of the Ballymena teenager is a sickening and vicious sectarian attack carried out by gangsters trying to drag Northern Ireland back to the past.
The Sinn Féin President, Gerry Adams, said sectarianism is rampant and said the key to ending sectarianism lay in the hands of political and civic leaders.
Five people remain in police custody in connection with the murder.
