Stephen Breen of the U.K.'s Sunday Life is reporting
that IRON MAIDEN have vowed to support the family of
murdered Irish schoolboy Thomas Devlin.
Devlin, 15, was reportedly stabbed to death as he
walked home from buying sweets with friends last
August. Devlin was knifed five times in the back after
two men jumped him on a north Belfast street.
MAIDEN reportedly contacted the teenager's grieving
parents, Jim and Penny, last week to express their
outrage at Thomas's horrific killing.
Speaking on behalf of the band, manager Rod Smallwood
pledged to support the family's campaign for justice
after reading about the murder on the Internet.
Rod posted a message on the website set up to raise
awareness of the killing and to celebrate the
15-year-old Thomas's life.
The message read: "We are appalled at this senseless
tragedy.
"On behalf of all the members of IRON MAIDEN and
myself, I send our heartfelt wishes and support to
Thomas's family.
"We also offer our support to his friends and local
community."
The gesture particularly touched the family because
Thomas  a devoted rock fan  was buried in his
favorite IRON MAIDEN T-shirt.
It's now hoped other top rock bands will pledge their
support to the heartbroken family.
Thomas's mum, Penny, said her family was "heartened"
by the support from the rock giants.
Said Penny: "We still can't believe that the band that
our son loved so much have offered to support our
campaign.
"It's fantastic and the last message we expected to
see.
"Thomas was buried in an IRON MAIDEN T-shirt and they
were his favorite band.
"We never, ever thought that a band as famous as IRON
MAIDEN would visit the website."
Added Penny: "It's great to see them taking an
interest in Thomas's case because he absolutely loved
them.
"Thomas's friends have also been made aware of it and
they also can't believe the band are supporting us.
"We have had messages of support from all over the
world and we can't thank people enough."
This latest development comes after Sunday Life
offered a £10,000 reward leading to the arrest and
conviction of Thomas's killers.
A number of people have been arrested in connection
with the killing, but all were later released without
charge.
The police have identified the prime suspects in the
murder as two young men who were walking in the area
with a black-and-white dog.
that IRON MAIDEN have vowed to support the family of
murdered Irish schoolboy Thomas Devlin.
Devlin, 15, was reportedly stabbed to death as he
walked home from buying sweets with friends last
August. Devlin was knifed five times in the back after
two men jumped him on a north Belfast street.
MAIDEN reportedly contacted the teenager's grieving
parents, Jim and Penny, last week to express their
outrage at Thomas's horrific killing.
Speaking on behalf of the band, manager Rod Smallwood
pledged to support the family's campaign for justice
after reading about the murder on the Internet.
Rod posted a message on the website set up to raise
awareness of the killing and to celebrate the
15-year-old Thomas's life.
The message read: "We are appalled at this senseless
tragedy.
"On behalf of all the members of IRON MAIDEN and
myself, I send our heartfelt wishes and support to
Thomas's family.
"We also offer our support to his friends and local
community."
The gesture particularly touched the family because
Thomas  a devoted rock fan  was buried in his
favorite IRON MAIDEN T-shirt.
It's now hoped other top rock bands will pledge their
support to the heartbroken family.
Thomas's mum, Penny, said her family was "heartened"
by the support from the rock giants.
Said Penny: "We still can't believe that the band that
our son loved so much have offered to support our
campaign.
"It's fantastic and the last message we expected to
see.
"Thomas was buried in an IRON MAIDEN T-shirt and they
were his favorite band.
"We never, ever thought that a band as famous as IRON
MAIDEN would visit the website."
Added Penny: "It's great to see them taking an
interest in Thomas's case because he absolutely loved
them.
"Thomas's friends have also been made aware of it and
they also can't believe the band are supporting us.
"We have had messages of support from all over the
world and we can't thank people enough."
This latest development comes after Sunday Life
offered a £10,000 reward leading to the arrest and
conviction of Thomas's killers.
A number of people have been arrested in connection
with the killing, but all were later released without
charge.
The police have identified the prime suspects in the
murder as two young men who were walking in the area
with a black-and-white dog.
