The Daily Star Ireland
Ballymena, a town in Northern Ireland, has experienced two consecutive nights of violent unrest following the court appearance of two 14-year-old boys charged with the attempted rape of a teenage girl. The disturbances have resulted in injuries to 32 police officers and significant property damage.
The initial protest, which began as a peaceful vigil in support of the alleged victim, escalated into violence after rumors circulated regarding the nationality of the accused, who were accompanied by a Romanian interpreter in court. This led to racially motivated attacks targeting immigrant communities, with homes and businesses vandalized and set ablaze. Residents reported being forced to barricade themselves indoors, and some displayed national flags in an attempt to deter attackers.
In response to the escalating violence, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has requested additional support from police forces in Scotland, England, and Wales. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson stated that extra officers, vehicles, and equipment are being deployed to affected areas, acknowledging that this will impact policing resources elsewhere.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the violence as “mindless” and emphasized that it endangers lives and undermines the justice process. He assured the public that those responsible will be identified and prosecuted, with images of offenders to be released to aid in their identification.
Political leaders across Northern Ireland, including First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, have united in condemning the violence. In a joint statement, ministers from the power-sharing Executive emphasized that those inciting racial tensions have nothing to offer society but division and disorder. They urged the public to allow the justice process to proceed without interference and to reject the divisive agenda of those perpetuating violence.
The unrest has also spread to other towns, including Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus, and Newtownabbey, where similar incidents of violence and property damage have been reported. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have called for calm across all communities.
