The DUP confirmed tonight that party leader and local MP, Rev Ian Paisley, visited the house of murdered teenager, Michael McIlveen in Ballymena on Sunday night and prayed with his family.
Michael McIlveen's funeral will take place tomorrow after Requiem mass at All Saint's Church.
The DUP Mayor of Ballymena is expected to be among the mourners.
Meanwhile, extra PSNI officers are being deployed because of concerns over possible reprisals for the murder.
The 15-year-old Catholic teenager died after he was attacked by a gang at Garfield Place in the Co Antrim town.
Six teenagers have been charged with his murder on 7 May.
Superintendent Terry Shevlin said there were 'real concerns' that republicans may retaliate for the killing.
Leaflets were yesterday handed out in the loyalist Ballykeel estate stating that a community watch group had been set up to 'protect children' in the area.
