Third night of Ballymena riots erupt after 'shelter' set alight by 'thugs'
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'Masked thugs' have smashed a leisure centre's windows and set it on fire in the third night of rioting in Northern Ireland.
Footage on social media shows masked individuals attacking Larne Leisure Centre, which it is said was housing people displaced by the disorder.
Rioting rages for a third night in a row in Ballymena, with petrol bombs being chucked at police and water canons being used against demonstrators.
Six people have been arrested and 32 police officers were injured in the previous two nights of violence.
On Tuesday rioters threw petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks at officers as tensions continued to rise in the Co Antrim town.
Officers used rubber bullets and a water cannon to disperse crowds, but despite this, businesses and homes were attacked and damaged, and vehicles were set alight.
Disorder started up again on Wednesday as Larne Leisure Centre was set on fire in the early evening.
It is believed no one was inside the building at the time, but DUP politician Gordon Lyons said earlier today that 'a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre… following disturbances in Ballymena'.
Ulster Unionist Politician John Stewart called those who set fire to the centre 'despicable and disgraceful'.
Crowds gathered for a third night in Ballymena as riot police line the streets in response.
Officers have messages blaring from loud speakers, telling locals to 'disperse immediately' and warning force will be used against violent individuals'.
The 'racially motivated violence' has led Ballymena residents to stick Union Jacks and other flags to their doors in hopes their properties won't be targeted.
Doors have been spotted with 'Filipino Lives Here' signs, and entire rows of houses have been spotted displaying 'locals live here' signs.
Other protests on Tuesday also took place in areas of Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine and Newtownabbey earlier in the evening, some of which experienced disorder.
Two bins were set alight and bottles and masonry were thrown at police in the Sunnylands area of Carrickfergus by a group of 20-30 young people.
A man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour in Newtownabbey after bins were set alight.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the second night of violence and 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 led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection.
'Ironically, and frustratingly, this violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge.
'Let me be clear: this behaviour must stop. I appeal to everyone involved to cease all further acts of criminality and disorder immediately.
'As with any serious offenders in Northern Ireland, we will pursue those responsible and bring them to justice.
'We will now begin our investigation of reviewing all evidence gathered, including video footage, and Images of the individuals involved will be released to identify offenders. 'Do not throw away your future and do not continue to endanger or intimidate the lives of others.
'To those who have been threatened or affected by this violence: we are with you. You deserve safety and justice, and we will find and prosecute those responsible.
'Hate-fuelled acts and mob rule do nothing but tear at the fabric of our society – they resolve nothing and serve no one.'
The two nights of riots come after an earlier peaceful protest on Monday in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said 15 officers were injured on Monday night, some of whom needed hospital treatment, and two police vehicles were damaged.
The rioting began after two 14-year-old boys, thought to be Romanian, appeared in court charged with attempted oral rape. It reportedly took place in the Clonavon Terrace area on Saturday evening.
The boys appeared at Coleraine magistrates court on Monday via videolink from a juvenile justice centre, where they both pleaded not guilty.
Ian Acheson is a senior advisor at the Counter Extremism Project.
He told Metro: 'The violence in Ballymena is a grim illustration of what happens when xenophobia collides with legitimate fears across the island of Ireland about what uncontrolled and unresourced migration is doing to local communities.
'We need to be clear that racist thugs and those who cleave to no ideology except the gleeful opportunity to burn their own communities and attack police should be identified, prosecuted and locked up.
'But it is ironic that social media and some of the mainstream outlets is saturated with a requirement that commentators pass a condemnation purity test in ways never previously applied to the terrorism that has disfigured society in Northern Ireland.
'There can be no nuance applied to the nihilistic thugs that hijacked a peaceful protest following the charging of two foreign nationals with the rape of a local girl.
'At the same time, condemning everyone in Ballymena who either attended the protests or the vast majority who stayed home horrified by the violence as racist, does the work of extremists for them.
'Northern Ireland is the litmus test for the sectarian violence that I fear is to come across the rest of these islands if politicians fail to respond to valid and justifiable concerns about demographic changes causing social unrest across Ireland.
'It is significant that the tribal alliances of loyalism and republicanism that once polarised communities are now coming together in a common cause of anti-migrant extremism.
'People who ignore these new and dangerous alliances are leaving an open goal for violent extremism to regain its potency. That is something we must all fight against.'
A Romanian interpreter was in court to read the charges to both defendants.
Around 2,500 people gathered in the park on Monday before moving towards Clonavon Terrace.
The men, women and children marched along Larne Street and Queen Street – but the situation erupted into violence as fires were lit, a boat was overturned and homes vandalised.
Northern Ireland's First Minister has condemned the 'racist and sectarian attacks', saying the rioting must stop immediately.
Michelle O'Neill said: 'Those responsible for this violence bring nothing to our communities but hatred, fear and division.
'No one, now or ever should feel the need to place a sticker on their door to identify their ethnicity just to avoid being targeted.
'We are a kind-hearted, caring and compassionate people. We stand united and strong, facing down those who seek to divide us through violence and intimidation. More Trending
'I have spoken with the PSNI Chief Constable and urged him to ensure those responsible for orchestrating and perpetuating these crimes are held fully to account.
'As First Minister, as a mother, as a grandmother, I will do everything in my power to protect and support everyone in our community, so that no one should ever have to live in fear in their own home.'
And Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he 'utterly condemns' the attacks, adding: 'It's absolutely vital that the PSNI are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe.'
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