Latest news with #Lurgan
Sky News
5 days ago
- Sky News
Police investigating Ballymena riots vow to 'seek justice' as they search for more suspects
Police are working "night and day" to catch those involved in rioting in Ballymena, a senior officer has said. There was a reduction in disorder last night, following five consecutive nights of violence on the streets of Northern Ireland. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said there were some "sporadic disturbances" on Saturday, which included young people throwing stones in Lurgan and an attempt to attack a vehicle in Carrickfergus. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said an increased police presence helped de-escalate violence. "The situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days," she said. "I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions. "I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves. "Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate." 'It's very scary' The unrest followed an alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in the town on 7 June. Two teenagers were arrested and charged, and the police said the pair used a Romanian interpreter to plead not guilty in court. A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. Police described the scenes as "racist thuggery". Angry mobs took to the streets and police responded to rioters' petrol bombs and bricks with rubber bullets and water cannon onslaughts of their own. James Arcangel woke up to a brick smashed through his bedroom window. He told social affairs correspondent Becky Johnson he moved to the town from the Philippines just over a year ago. "They should stop doing what they are doing," he said. "It is very bad. It is very scary." Why did Ballymena become the site of anti-immigration riots? It is hard to see where the violence will end More than 60 police officers injured So far, 24 people have been arrested - 14 of whom have been charged to court. "We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity," Chief Constable Jones said. "Sixty-four of our colleagues have been injured and I commend their bravery and determination. "Their unwavering efforts over the last number of days have resulted in a reduction of disorder and I hope the local communities who have been targeted have felt the support of our frontline teams."
Irish Times
5 days ago
- Irish Times
PSNI welcomes ‘much calmer' Saturday after five nights of disorder in Northern Ireland
Police are working 'night and day' to catch those involved in rioting in Northern Ireland, a senior officer has said. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has welcomed a reduction in disorder on Saturday night following several days of sustained rioting and attacks on officers. The force said there were 'sporadic disturbances' on Saturday which included youths throwing stones in Lurgan and an attempt to attack a vehicle in Carrickfergus. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said the force's 'heightened presence' and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued on Saturday night. READ MORE 'Thankfully, the situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days,' she said. The disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape. They deny the offences. A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. The PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. The PSNI said officers dealt with some sporadic disturbances on Saturday, including an incident of attempted criminal damage to a vehicle in Carrickfergus. A 40-year-old man has been charged over the incident and will appear in court next month. Detectives investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder arrested a 32-year-old man in the Larne area on Saturday on suspicion of encouraging or assisting offences and possession of a class B controlled drug. He remains in custody. Ms Jones said the PSNI is 'working day and night to identify those who have been involved in the disorder over the last number of days'. She said police have made 24 arrests, 14 of which have resulted in individuals being charged to court. Commending the bravery of offices on the beat, she said 64 have been injured. Police have also released images of people they want to speak to in relation to the disturbances. Ms Jones asked for the public's help in identifying the indviduals. —Press Association
BreakingNews.ie
5 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Police working ‘night and day' to catch those involved in Northern Ireland riots
Police are working 'night and day' to catch those involved in rioting in Northern Ireland, a senior officer has said. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has welcomed a reduction in disorder on Saturday night following several days of sustained rioting and attacks on officers. Advertisement The force said there were 'sporadic disturbances' on Saturday which included youths throwing stones in Lurgan and an attempt to attack a vehicle in Carrickfergus. Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: 'Our heightened presence in our local communities and continued community engagement to de-escalate violence continued last night, but thankfully, the situation was much calmer than we have seen in recent days. 'I issued a public plea to parent/guardians and families of young people who have been driving the criminal activity in some areas to warn them of the serious consequences of their actions. 'I am asking for continued conversations amongst local families to deter young people from criminalising themselves.' Advertisement The violence spread from Ballymena to several other parts of Northern Ireland (Brian Lawless/PA) The disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with attempted rape. A peaceful protest on Monday evening about the alleged assault was followed by attacks on police and properties housing ethnic minorities. The PSNI described the scenes as 'racist thuggery'. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas of Northern Ireland including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Derry, and Coleraine. Advertisement The PSNI said officers dealt with some sporadic disturbances on Saturday, including an incident of attempted criminal damage to a vehicle in Carrickfergus. A 40-year-old man has been charged over the incident and will appear in court next month, Following a report of a group of people throwing bottles at addresses in Lurgan, two boys, aged 14 and 12, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage before being street bailed. Detectives investigating online posts relating to recent public disorder arrested a 32-year-old man in the Larne area on Saturday on suspicion of encouraging or assisting offences and possession of a class B controlled drug. He remains in custody. Advertisement Ms Jones said: 'Our public order inquiry Team are working day and night to identify those who have been involved in the disorder over the last number of days. 'Our Chief Constable and other members of the senior team have been meeting with local community representatives of those affected over the weekend so we can support them as best we can and offer reassurance of our policing operation to restore calm. 'Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets. So, just as we will seek justice for women and girls who report heinous crimes to us, we will also seek justice for local innocent families who are being targeted by criminality fuelled by hate. 'To date, we have made 24 arrests, 14 of which have resulted in individuals being charged to court. Advertisement 'We will continue to robustly investigate the disorder over the last number of days but do not want to see any more young people criminalised by being caught up in this activity.' Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones commended the bravery and determination of 64 officers who have been injured (Liam McBurney/PA) She added: 'Sixty-four of our colleagues have been injured and I commend their bravery and determination. 'Their unwavering efforts over the last number of days have resulted in a reduction of disorder and I hope the local communities who have been targeted have felt the support of our frontline teams. 'To come under sustained attack when you are there to serve and protect all is disheartening to say the least. 'They have been steadfast in their commitment to restore peace and I am proud of them all.' Police have also released images of people they want to speak to in relation to the disturbances. A burnt-out car on the street following violence in Ballymena (Niall Carson/PA) Ms Jones said: 'I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us. 'It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward. 'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them you should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website. 'I would also like to reassure the communities that we serve that we will continue to maintain our presence and protect streets. 'We are grateful for the support of all who condemn this criminality and would, once more, repeat our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days.'
BBC News
11-06-2025
- BBC News
Lurgan: £500,000 of cannabis discovered in the Colane Road area
Police have made three arrests and seized cannabis with a street value of half a million pounds in Lurgan, County large quantity of the Class B drug was seized from an underground facility at a property in the Colane Road area of the town on Tuesday. Three men aged 69, 55 and 27 were arrested on suspicion of the cultivation of 69-year-old was further arrested on suspicion of allowing premises to be used for the cultivation of cannabis. Detective Inspector Conor Sweeney said it was the "most sophisticated cannabis farm I have encountered". "A substantial degree of engineering and investment has gone into the construction and concealment of this underground facility."
Irish Times
08-06-2025
- Irish Times
Four arrested and three cautioned following protests in North against pro-Gaza march
Four men have been arrested in Co Down following what police have termed a minor disorder associated with a protest against a march for Gaza. Activists took part in a Great March for Gaza event on Saturday from Lurgan to Omeath, designed to symbolise the length of the Gaza Strip , during a demonstration and fundraising event. However, disorder broke out as the march passed through the village of Scarva where a counter-protest was held. Police said four men were arrested following minor disorder associated with the Scarva portion of the event. READ MORE Three men were also cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry . In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police. Supt Norman Haslett said it was an appropriate and proportionate operation. 'Police officers were in attendance at an event which commenced in Lurgan and continued into Newry on Saturday June 7,' he said. 'We were also present at a number of protests that were held in connection with this event. 'Three males were cautioned in relation to public order offences at the towpath between Portadown and Newry and four males were arrested following minor disorder associated with a protest held at the Main Street in Scarva. 'These protests had not been notified to the Parades Commission as required by law and officers issued warnings to this effect. 'An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered and consider any potential offences. 'In Newry, a flag believed to be associated with a prescribed terrorist organisation was removed from a parade participant by police and this is subject to an ongoing police investigation. 'This was an appropriate and proportionate policing operation to ensure that the safety of everyone involved was maintained and that the law was upheld.'
