Statement by TUV MLA Jim Allister and local Councillor Matthew Armstrong :-
“Within hours of a murder in the Ballykeel area of Ballymena the estate has been plunged into fresh sorrow with the tragic death of a young girl in a house fire.
“To now hear of this young girl’s death is devastating. The community rescue efforts were commendable but, alas, to no avail in respect of the child.”
Cllr Armstrong knows family members and said,
“There are no words adequate to address the horror of this situation. My heart goes out to the distraught and devastated family. I’ve no doubt the tight knit community in Ballykeel will rally round, but there is a void here which will never be filled.”