Mohan Sinha
12 Jun 2025, 23:30 GMT+10
CO ANTRIM, Northern Ireland: Hundreds of masked rioters attacked police and set houses and cars on fire in the town of Ballymena, in Ireland, this week. This was the second night in a row of violence after a protest about a reported sexual assault in the town.
Police said they were dealing with "serious disorder" in Ballymena, which is about 30 miles from Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. They asked people to stay away from the area.
Police officers wearing riot gear and driving armored vehicles responded with water cannons and plastic baton rounds. They did this after rioters threw petrol bombs, pieces of scaffolding, and rocks at them. According to a Reuters witness, the rioters had knocked down nearby walls to collect the stones.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they had a large operation planned for the coming days in case the violence continued. He also said, "We are actively working to identify those responsible for last night's racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice."
Riot police were sent to the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena, where hundreds of people had gathered. One house was burned down, and a police officer vomited after leaving another house that rioters had tried to set on fire, according to the witness.
Several cars were also burned, and one was found flipped over and in flames. Police sirens could be heard all over the town past midnight.
On the first night of the violence, which was June 9, four homes were damaged by fire. Windows and doors of other houses and shops were smashed. Police said they are treating these events as racially motivated hate crimes.
Earlier on June 9, hundreds of people had protested in Ballymena after two teenage boys were brought to court. They are accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the town. Local news said the charges were read to the boys with the help of an interpreter.
Fifteen police officers were hurt, and some had to be taken to the hospital.
Another Reuters witness said that protests occurred in Belfast the next day, and some roads were blocked. However, there were no reports of violence in other parts of Northern Ireland.
A 29-year-old man has been charged with riot-related crimes after being arrested during the unrest in Ballymena on the first night. He is expected to appear in Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 3. He is also charged with disorderly behavior, trying to damage property, and resisting the police.
Henderson said more people are likely to be arrested after police examine video recordings of the events.
The British government and local politicians strongly condemned the violence.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman described the events, which saw police and ethnic minorities targeted, as "very concerning."
"Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities."
"The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland," Britain's Northern Ireland Minister Hilary Been said on X.
Get a daily dose of Belfast Bulletin news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Belfast Bulletin.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: In a landmark moment for Britain, lawmakers in the House of Commons have voted in favour of legalising assisted dying,...
KANANASKIS, Alberta: With key tariff deadlines approaching, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said this week that finalizing the...
LONDON, U.K.: On June 15, Britain named Blaise Metreweli as the first woman to lead the Secret Intelligence Service, commonly known...
Cromwell [US] June 22 (ANI): Akshay Bhatia was tied-35th after a round of even par 70, which included an eagle in the Travellers Championship....
London [UK], June 20 (ANI): A Chinese student who drugged and raped women in the UK and China was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday,...
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): The All India Football Federation condoles the death of former AIFF Vice President and Executive...
BRASILIA, Brazil: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is accused of playing a key role in an illegal surveillance operation orchestrated...
ANKARA, Turkey: A Turkish far-right politician went on trial Wednesday, facing charges of inciting public hatred—an episode critics...
LONDON, U.K.: In a landmark moment for Britain, lawmakers in the House of Commons have voted in favour of legalising assisted dying,...
Western support for Israel's right to strike Iran backs up a pattern of pre-emptive violence that critics say is further eroding international...
OTTAWA, Canada: Canada may boost its counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from the U.S. if a comprehensive trade agreement...
BANGKOK, Thailand: Thailand's government is facing its biggest crisis in nearly a year, as Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's...