A second night of rioting and disorder struck the town of Ballymena in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, as anti-immigrant protests spread to several other areas and the police warned of “hate-fueled acts.”
Homes, businesses and vehicles were again attacked in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena, where several properties were set on fire on Monday night following a demonstration over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl.
Police officers came under “sustained attack” with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks on Tuesday evening, according to a statement from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and 17 officers were injured.
The police used a water cannon against crowds and fired plastic baton rounds in Ballymena, while disorder also took place in parts of Belfast and in the town of Carrickfergus.
Earlier in the evening, protests had taken place in areas of Belfast, as well as in Lisburn, Coleraine and Newtownabbey.
They followed the appearance in court on Monday of two 14-year-old boys who had been charged with the serious sexual assault of a teenage girl on Saturday night.
Both boys have been charged with attempted oral rape and deny the charges, the BBC reported, adding that they had confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter.
On Wednesday morning, signs and flags had appeared on some homes in the area of Ballymena where the assault and riots took place stating the nationality of those inside.
“British household,” read one handwritten sign above a smashed window, while another home displayed a picture of the Philippines flag with the words: “Filipino lives here.”
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who leads the Police Service of Northern Ireland, said: “The mindless violence witnessed over the past two nights in Ballymena is deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable. These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection.”
He said police were reviewing video footage and other evidence to identify rioters, and condemned what he called “hate-fueled acts and mob rule.”
Five people were arrested on suspicion of rioting in Ballymena on Tuesday night, while another suspect was arrested for disorder in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
