Protests in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, escalated into violent riots after a court hearing involving two 14-year-old boys charged with sexual assault. The police reported 15 officers injured and several homes and businesses attacked, which are being investigated as racially motivated hate crimes.
Racially Charged Violence Erupts in Ballymena Amid Sexual Assault Case Protests
Racially Charged Violence Erupts in Ballymena Amid Sexual Assault Case Protests
Disturbances in Northern Ireland's Ballymena lead to multiple injuries and property damage following the court hearing of two teenagers facing serious charges.
In a troubling escalation of civil unrest, Ballymena, Northern Ireland witnessed significant violence on Monday evening following a court appearance for two 14-year-old boys charged with serious sexual assault. The unrest resulted in injuries to 15 police officers and extensive damage to local properties, heightening tensions within the community.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland reported that rioters, many of whom wore masks, unleashed a barrage of Molotov cocktails, fireworks, and heavy objects against law enforcement over several hours. In their statement, police noted that the attacks on homes and businesses, some of which were set ablaze, are suspected to be racially motivated. Emergency services evacuated residents from four homes during the chaos, and several injured officers required hospitalization.
The unrest was sparked after the boys' court hearing regarding allegations of attempted oral rape of a teenage girl. Initial planned demonstrations in response to the allegations began peacefully, attracting large crowds toward Clonavon Terrace, the site of the alleged crime. However, the situation rapidly deteriorated when a faction of masked individuals diverted from the demonstration, erecting barricades and initiating violence against nearby properties.
The violent fallout has drawn attention from various groups, with reports suggesting that extremist factions online have fueled the unrest by glorifying the aggressive response to the original assault case. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson condemned the riots, urging participants to reconsider their violent actions, emphasizing the increased risks such behaviors pose to community safety.
Amidst these events, a 29-year-old man was arrested for disorderly conduct connected to the riots. Police are also investigating related incidents of violence in the nearby village of Cullybackey, where a Molotov cocktail attack left a vehicle burned and a property damaged while a woman and two children were inside, signaling the pervasive nature of the violence as a possible hate crime.
