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Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Teen riot accused's mother says son is ‘not racist' and protests ‘are not racist either'
Mum-of-four accuses political leaders of abandoning Ballymena as she predicts rallies will continue Families after returning to their homes in Ballymena (Photo by Alan Lewis) The mother of a teenager accused of rioting in Ballymena has defended her son and insisted the riots are not racist. Michael Elliott (18) was the first alleged rioter to be pictured in the press after being charged with riotous assembly following days of violent disorder. One of three teenagers to appear at Ballymena Magistrates Court on rioting offences on Thursday, he was remanded in custody. Michael Elliott Ballymena Courthouse (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA) The town has seen a week of sustained violence and attacks on police in disturbances which followed an alleged attempted sex attack on a teenage girl last weekend. 'Scapegoat' Elliott's mum Carla (36), who has appealed for people to protest peacefully, told Sunday Life she stood by her son and believed he had been made a scapegoat. She said: 'He's only 18 a couple of months. He's only just over the threshold to be charged as an adult. 'I was a bit cross at the courts because that's my son's face now plastered all over international news. 'I burst into tears when I left the court. I was in shock that he was remanded when there's been people bailed for worse. 'I am angry at the justice system for going after children to make an example. 'If you're going to do that, do it to them all, especially when the police came with the force they did.' Families after returning to their homes in Ballymena (Photo by Alan Lewis) The minimum age of criminal responsibility in Northern Ireland is currently 10 years old. Local youth courts deal with all criminal cases involving young people under the age of 18. When Michael Elliott appeared in court, a police officer said he was arrested on Tuesday night following an incident where a house on Bridge Street had been set on fire. The officer said police believed it was important that courts send out a 'strong message.' He said if the court did not, there was a risk of further disorder that could lead to 'death or serious injury' for foreign nationals living in Ballymena. A defence solicitor said his client's involvement was limited to 'throwing stones'. A rioter throwing a petrol bomb at police (Photo by Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) The district judge told Elliott he was a young man who now found himself in the dock in court. Refusing bail he said the court would deal 'robustly' with those where there was evidence they were involved in the disorder. Speaking about the outbreak of violence in Ballymena, Carla Elliott recalled: 'I was shocked when it turned into a riot, but I wasn't surprised because nobody is listening to people. Nobody cares about Ballymena. 'Michelle O'Neill said she wouldn't even come here, which is a kick in the teeth. She is no first minister for all, and I'm saying that as a Catholic. 'Politicians have a lot to answer for. They are the reason our country is the way it is.' Michelle O'Neill decided against visiting the Co Antrim town after taking advice from police, saying she did not wish to 'cause even more kind of kickback'. Firefighters battle a house ablaze in Ballymena (Photo by Kevin Scott) The disorder, which started in Ballymena last Monday and spread to Larne, Portadown and Coleraine, has drawn widespread condemnation. Videos of houses being burned and windows being smashed as people chanted 'f*** the foreigners' and 'get them out' caused shock and outrage. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher labelled rioters 'racists and bigots'. First Minister Ms O'Neill described the incident as 'naked racism'. Prime Minister Keir Starmer also expressed concern. However, mother-of-three Ms Elliott, who lives with her family on the Lanntara housing estate in Ballee, just outside Ballymena, insisted that the riots were not racist. She said: 'I didn't agree with local people's houses being damaged, but the ones inciting the trouble weren't even from here. They were from Belfast. 'You can hear the different accents in the videos. It wasn't Ballymena people, but it's made us look racist. 'Ballymena has been unfairly portrayed. Our country was already on its knees. We already have enough bad people of our own. 'I would like the government to listen to their own people. A water cannon vehicle in Portadown (Photo by PA) 'We fought for this country during the Troubles, and our grandparents would be ashamed of what's happening to our country. 'They need to look after our own people and deal with the crimes our own people are committing. We don't need the extra stress. 'If we didn't have them (migrants) coming, we wouldn't have all the stresses we do and the NHS crisis and so on. 'My son is not racist and I don't think the riots are racist. 'There's a difference between the ones that have paperwork to be here and the ones that are here illegally. 'It's the illegal ones who need to be shipped back to their country where they come from. 'They're up and down across the border, using different passports and IDs. 'We're not racist. I have cousins who are a different colour. I have worked with Poles and Romanians with no problem. 'It's the illegals that are the problem. They don't respect our laws and traditions, and we've had enough.' Boarded-up windows in Ballymena (Photo by Arthur Allison/Pacemaker Press) Although the violence of recent nights was not at the same scale as it was at the start of the week, Ms Elliott believes the protests will continue. She said: 'It's a two-tier system. Foreigners are treated differently by the police. 'Ballymena has done silent protests for years, and nothing has been done, so I don't know what they expected. 'I wouldn't discourage people from protesting because our country is on its knees, but they need to protest peacefully and not do riots.' Carla Elliot and Michael Elliot (inset) News in 90 Seconds - June 17th
Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Irish Times
Three teenagers appear in court over rioting in Ballymena
Three teenagers have appeared in court charged with rioting offences following recent violence in Ballymena, Co Antrim. A district judge in the town's magistrates' court said a strong message had to be sent out that those involved in the disorder would be dealt with 'robustly' by the court. The town has witnessed three nights of sustained violence and attacks on police in disturbances that followed an alleged sex attack on a teenage girl at the weekend. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has described the violence as 'racist thuggery'. It said officers and ethnic minorities have been targeted for attack. READ MORE Michael Elliott (18) of Lanntara, Ballymena, appeared in court on Thursday. A PSNI detective constable said he could connect him to a charge of riotous assembly. The officer told the court that Mr Elliott was arrested at 11.50pm on Tuesday night following an incident where a house on Bridge Street had been set on fire. The detective constable said it was originally believed the occupants were still inside the property. Mr Elliott was detained after he was seen running from the scene, the court was told. He was wearing gloves and a balaclava, the court heard. During police interview he had made admissions to the offence of riotous assembly, the detective said. He told police during interview he had become involved in the disorder because others were involved and blamed the situation on police. The detective constable said there was 'strong public feeling' currently within Ballymena. He said police believed it is important that courts send out a 'strong message'. He said if the court did not, there was a risk of further disorder that could lead to 'death or serious injury' for foreign nationals living in Ballymena. A defence solicitor said his client's involvement was limited to 'throwing stones'. The district judge told Mr Elliott he was a young man who now found himself in the dock in court. He said the court would deal 'robustly' with people whose involvement in the disorder is backed up by evidence. The judge refused an application for bail. He said: 'Your case should be an example to others who are considering getting involved in further public disorder.' The judge said there was a high likelihood that those who were charged over rioting would be refused bail and would face a significant custodial sentence if convicted. He remanded Mr Elliott in custody until July 10th. A 15-year-old boy appeared charged with riotous assembly and criminal damage. The detective constable said he was arrested on the second night of disorder in Ballymena, which involved hundreds of people. He said police observed footage showing bins set on fire at a retail park. The officer told the court that when the youth was arrested, he had in his possession a bottle, a large rock and a balaclava. The officer said there had been 'serious racially aggravated public disorder' in Ballymena. A defence lawyer said his client accepted possession of the three items and that he should not have been in the area. The lawyer said perhaps the teenager had 'got involved in the excitement'. District Judge Nigel Broderick said anyone should be 'disabused of the notion that rioting is any form of excitement'. He said the court needs to take measures to protect the public. The judge added: 'I agree that a strong message needs to be sent out that those, young and old, who get involved will be dealt with robustly by the courts.' He rejected bail and remanded the 15-year-old to appear at a youth court on June 18th. A 17-year-old appeared charged with riotous assembly. The detective constable said he was arrested in a retail park wearing a balaclava and dark clothing, which matched the description of those involved in the rioting. A defence solicitor said there were a vast number of people wearing dark clothing and balaclavas who were not involved in rioting. He said nothing 'beyond mere presence and the clothing he was wearing' tied his client to the offences. The detective said there was an extensive amount of CCTV footage still to be examined. The lawyer said there had been a 'rush to charge' his client. The judge said he was satisfied the 17-year-old could be connected to the charge. There was no application for bail and he was remanded to appear in youth court on June 18th. - PA
BreakingNews.ie
12-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Three teenagers appear in court over rioting in Ballymena
Three teenagers have appeared in court charged with rioting offences following recent violence in Ballymena. A district judge in the town's magistrates' court said a strong message had to be sent out that those involved in the disorder would be dealt with 'robustly' by the court. Advertisement The Co Antrim town has witnessed three nights of sustained violence and attacks on police in disturbances which followed an alleged sex attack on a teenage girl at the weekend. PSNI vehicles form a barricade during a third night of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim (Liam McBurney/PA) The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has branded the violence 'racist thuggery' and said officers and ethnic minorities have been targeted for attack. Michael Elliott, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, appeared in the dock in handcuffs and wearing a grey tracksuit on Thursday. A PSNI detective constable said he could connect him to a charge of riotous assembly. Advertisement The officer told the court that Elliott was arrested at 11.50pm on Tuesday night following an incident where a house on Bridge Street had been set on fire. The detective constable said it was originally believed the occupants were still inside the property. Elliott was detained after he was seen running from the scene, the court was told. He was wearing gloves and a balaclava, the court heard. Advertisement During police interview, he had made admissions to the offence of riotous assembly, the detective said. He told police during interview that he had become involved in the disorder because others were involved and blamed the situation on police. The detective constable said there was 'strong public feeling' currently within Ballymena. He said police believed it is important that courts send out a 'strong message'. Advertisement He said if the court did not, there was a risk of further disorder that could lead to 'death or serious injury' for foreign nationals living in Ballymena. A defence solicitor said his client's involvement was limited to 'throwing stones'. The district judge told Elliott he was a young man who now found himself in the dock in court. He said the court would deal 'robustly' with those where there was evidence they were involved in the disorder. Advertisement The judge refused a bail application. He said: 'Your case should be an example to others who are considering getting involved in further public disorder.' The judge said there was a high likelihood that those who were charged over rioting would be refused bail and would face a significant custodial sentence if convicted. He remanded Elliott in custody until July 10th. A 15-year-old boy appeared in the dock charged with riotous assembly and criminal damage. The detective constable said he was arrested on the second night of disorder in Ballymena involving hundreds of people. He said police observed footage showing bins set on fire at a retail park. The officer told the court that when the youth was arrested, he had in his possession a bottle, a large rock and a balaclava. The officer said there had been 'serious racially aggravated public disorder' in Ballymena. A defence lawyer said his client accepted possession of the three items and that he should not have been in the area. The lawyer said perhaps the teenager had 'got involved in the excitement'. District Judge Broderick said anyone should be 'disabused of the notion that rioting is any form of excitement'. He said the court needs to take measures to protect the public. The judge added: 'I agree that a strong message needs to be sent out that those, young and old, who get involved will be dealt with robustly by the courts.' He rejected bail and remanded the 15-year-old to appear at a youth court on June 18th. A 17-year-old appeared in the dock charged with riotous assembly. The detective constable said he was arrested in a retail park wearing a balaclava and dark clothing, which matched the description of those involved in the rioting. A defence solicitor said there were a vast number of people wearing dark clothing and balaclavas who were not involved in rioting. He said nothing 'beyond mere presence and the clothing he was wearing' tied his client to the offences. The detective said there was an extensive amount of CCTV footage still to be examined. The lawyer said there had been a 'rush to charge' his client. The judge said he was satisfied the 17-year-old could be connected to the charge. There was no application for bail and he was remanded to appear in youth court on June 18th.
CTV News
04-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
City councillor running for mayor unveils slate for upcoming Edmonton election
Tim Cartmell, left, the city councillor for Ward pihêsiwin who is running for mayor in the fall of 2025, at the unveiling of his municipal party Better Edmonton's slate of candidates on June 3, 2025. An Edmonton city councillor who will be running for mayor later this year has launched his municipal political party. Tim Cartmell unveiled a slate of candidates who will run in this fall's municipal election, including current city councillor Karen Principe and former Edmonton Police Association president Michael Elliott. Cartmell, who represents Ward pihêsiwin in the city's southwest, said Tuesday he and his slate of candidates will strive to improve public safety, be more financially prudent and develop better construction plans for Edmonton residents. 'You're just going to see more for your money, more of the services that you expect the city to provide, more of what cities are actually supposed to do,' Cartmell told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday at an event to introduce the Better Edmonton slate. Tony Caterina, an ex-city councillor, and Andrew Knack, a current city councillor who represents Ward Nakota Isga, are also running for mayor as are Abdul-Malik Chukwudi and Omar Mohammad. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Dave Mitchell
