Petrol bombs thrown at police during fifth night of Northern Ireland disorder
One officer was directly in the impact of a petrol bomb that landed behind a line of police vehicles during a sustained standoff with those participating in the unrest on Friday.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaking during the British-Irish Council (BIC) summit at the Slieve Donard resort in Co Down (Liam McBurney/PA)
Fireworks, masonry, and bottles were among other items thrown at riot police deployed in the town.
Shortly before midnight, the PSNI used a water cannon on the crowd in an effort to disperse those gathered on West Street into other areas.
The force used the water cannon again at around 12.30am on Saturday.
Elsewhere on Friday, there were reports of disruption and damage to public property as riot police responded to another protest in the Tullyally area of Londonderry.
It came after a senior officer said there would be a 'scaled-up' policing presence across Northern Ireland in anticipation of further disorder over the weekend.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the mobilisation, which would include officers sent over from Scotland, was 'to reassure our communities and protect our streets'.
A person wearing a Union flag stands near armed police in Portadown in Co Armagh (Brian Lawless/PA)
Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.
The unrest and riotous behaviour spread to other towns including Larne, Belfast and Coleraine.
A number of homes were targeted, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive has said about 50 households have received assistance across the week, and 14 families have been provided with emergency accommodation.
A police representative group said at least 63 police officers have been injured in the five days of disorder, which led political leaders to call for calm during a meeting of the British Irish Council in Newcastle, Co Down, on Friday.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop.
'What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted – this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level,' she said.
'The whole of the Executive is united on that front.'
Damaged property at Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a 'difficult time for Northern Ireland' with 'disgraceful scenes of violent disorder', and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected.
Additional police officers from Scotland supported the PSNI after a mutual aid request.
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how cooperation between police forces is 'absolutely essential'.
While disorder in Ballymena raged across Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night, it appeared to have largely abated in that town by Thursday. However, disorder instead flared in Portadown – although generally at a lower intensity compared to scenes seen earlier in the week.
There have also been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday, from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped.
A police officer at the scene after an attack on Larne Leisure Centre (Liam McBurney/PA)
It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element.
The Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers, said that since violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday, 63 officers have been injured.
Federation chairman Liam Kelly said it has been 'a week of shame with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities'.
'Burning people out of their homes, attacking a leisure centre, and the specific targeting of individuals and property fuelled by overt racism and prejudice, is totally deplorable,' he said.
'Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order.
'They have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community.
Youths in Portadown in Co Armagh on Thursday (Brian Lawless/PA)
'They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives.'
Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher warned on Thursday that his officers would be coming after the 'bigots and racists' behind the disorder.
He also said that the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting across the week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Funeral of Cambuslang man Greg Monks to take place next week
Greg Monks, 38, was reported missing after leaving the main strip in Albufeira whilst on a stag do between May 27 and May 28. On June 4, Judicial Police in Portugal confirmed that the body of a man, a 38-year-old British citizen, was discovered in the Cerro de Aguia area, where Greg was last seen on CCTV. Greg's loved ones have now shared his funeral details. The funeral service will take place at Daldowie Crematorium in Broomhouse at 4pm on Wednesday, June 25. Greg's family and friends are invited to attend. READ NEXT: Balloon release to be held in memory of Cambuslang man His family have asked those who wish to attend not to bring flowers but to instead make donations to Cash for Kids on the day. A statement published by Janice Stevens' Independent Funeralcare on Facebook reads: 'The family have asked that we announce the following funeral arrangements for the late Greg Monks. 'A service will be held at Daldowie Crematorium, Broomhouse, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 4pm, (East Chapel) to which all family and friends are respectfully invited. 'Family flowers only. In lieu of flowers, the family have asked to please make donations on the day to Cash for Kids.' A special balloon release has also been organised in memory of Greg. It will take place at the field at Fullarton Park in Glasgow's East End from 7pm on Monday, June 23. Jillian Monks, Greg's sister, asked those who wish to attend to gather at this time and to please bring a blue balloon. The balloons will then be released at around 7.15pm.
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Lammy urges Iran and US to keep talking as Middle East conflict continues
David Lammy has urged Iran to carry on negotiations with the US as he continued to seek a diplomatic solution to the Middle East conflict. The Foreign Secretary met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday alongside foreign ministers from France and Germany and the EU's foreign policy chief. Following the meeting, Mr Lammy said the Europeans were 'keen to continue ongoing discussions and negotiations with Iran, and we urge Iran to continue their talks with the United States'. He added: 'We were clear: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.' Friday's meeting followed Donald Trump's statement that he would delay a decision on whether the US would join Israeli strikes against Iran for two weeks, raising the prospect of a negotiated solution to the crisis. German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said the group had left the room 'with the impression that the Iranian side is fundamentally ready to continue talking about all important issues'. Speaking to broadcasters after the meeting, Mr Lammy described the situation as 'perilous' and urged Iran to 'take that off ramp' and 'be serious about the diplomacy that is required at this moment'. He added that the US and Europe were pushing for Iran to agree to zero enrichment of uranium as a 'starting point' for negotiations. But Mr Araghchi said Iran would not negotiate with the US as long as Israel continued to carry out airstrikes against the country. Tel Aviv's campaign continued on Friday, with Israel saying its aircraft had hit military targets including missile-manufacturing facilities as it continues to attack locations connected with Iran's nuclear programme. Iran insists its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful. Meanwhile, the UK Government has announced it will use charter flights to evacuate Britons stranded in Israel once the country's airspace reopens. Number 10 said on Friday morning the situation remains 'fast-moving' and it will continue to be monitored closely. A spokesman added: 'We are advising British nationals to continue to register their presence in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, to be contactable with further guidance on these flights.' Mr Lammy said work is under way to provide the flights 'based on levels of demand' from UK citizens who want to leave the region. 'The UK will provide charter flights for British nationals from Tel Aviv when airspace reopens,' he said. 'The safety of British nationals remains our top priority.' According to the Israeli government, some 22,000 tourists are seeking to board evacuation flights. It is unclear how many of these may be UK citizens. Government advice for British nationals in the country remains to follow local guidance, as well as to let officials know about their presence within Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Land routes out of Israel remain open and British staff are on hand to support UK nationals who have crossed the border, he added. The move follows criticism of the Foreign Office's initial response, which saw family members of embassy staff evacuated while UK citizens were not advised to leave and told to follow local guidance. The Government said the move to temporarily withdraw family members had been a 'precautionary measure'.
South Wales Argus
5 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Two Middle East-related protests to be held in central London on Saturday
A protest organised by groups under the Palestine Coalition banner will gather in Russell Square from 12pm, before marching to Whitehall via Aldwych and the Strand for an assembly outside Downing Street. Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and musician Paloma Faith are among those set to give speeches at the assembly. Meanwhile, a static counter-protest organised by pro-Israeli group Stop The Hate will be held at the same time just north of Waterloo Bridge at the junction with the Strand. The group said it would meet at the location from 12.30pm onwards. Police have set out conditions for the first protest under the Public Order Act which demands that any person taking part in the procession must remain within Russell Square ahead of the protest and must not deviate from its specified route. Demonstrators must then stay in a specified part of Whitehall for the assembly, which must finish by 5.30pm, the force said. The Palestine Coalition is comprised of a number of different groups, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Stop The War. Stop The War said in an advertisement for the event on its website: 'Israel's attacks on Gaza and the West Bank are intensifying. Their starvation policy continues. And now Israel attacks on Iran seem intended to lead us into a full-scale war in the Middle East. 'The UK Government has at last accepted that Israel's actions in Gaza are unconscionable. Now they must act – words are not enough.' Discussions are ongoing regarding possible conditions for the Stop The Hate protest, the Met said. In a post on X, Stop The Hate said: 'Our families in Israel are under attack: standing bravely in the face of threats and ballistic missiles, whilst the people of Iran are bravely facing down their totalitarian government — now it's our turn to stand proudly in solidarity with them.' The demonstrations come after reports on Friday that the Home Secretary will ban Palestine Action after the group vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Yvette Cooper has decided to proscribe the group, making it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action, after footage posted online showed two people inside the RAF base, with one appearing to spray paint into an aircraft's jet engine. PSC described the move on social media as 'outrageous', while the Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed the news, saying: 'Nobody should be surprised that those who vandalised Jewish premises with impunity have now been emboldened to sabotage RAF jets.'
