Ballymena residents display flags on doors to avoid being targeted during riots
Residents of some properties in Ballymena have displayed flags and signs stating their nationalities, in a bid to try and avoid getting caught up in the violence that has erupted in the Co Antrim in the past two nights.
Houses have been set alight during two nights of rioting in the Co Antrim town.
The disorder broke out after a protest was held after an alleged assault on a teenage girl in the town. Two 14-year-old Romanian boys have appeared in court charged with the offence.
The rioting has focused around the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena where the alleged attempted rape took place.
Houses thought to be occupied by migrants from the Roma-community have been attacked and set alight.
To avoid being targeted by the rioters, Union Flags and signs stating 'Filipino lives here' have been spotted on properties.
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BreakingNews.ie
an hour ago
- BreakingNews.ie
PSNI chief warns rioters ‘we will arrest you'
Northern Ireland's police chief has warned 'bigots and racists' behind three nights of disorder in the region that his officers will be coming after them. Jon Boutcher said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend, an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in the Co Antrim town, had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting since Monday. Advertisement Forty-one officers have been injured in the unrest, which had resulted in 15 arrests by Thursday evening. Mr Boutcher, who met the girl's family on Thursday, delivered a stark message to the rioters as he spoke to the media in Belfast after a meeting with his oversight body, the Northern Ireland Policing Board. 'Stop this violence,' he said. 'We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully. It is not in any way a way for a civilised society to behave and it must stop now.' He said the family was 'mortified' by the disorder. Advertisement 'This girl's family and this girl want it to end. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please don't come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.' After the warning, gatherings in several towns proceeded largely without any major disturbance by 9pm on Thursday. A significant police presence had been deployed to Ballymena and Portadown but there was no initial repeat of the violence of previous nights. Police said a separate protest in east Belfast also ended early in the evening. Advertisement Officers from the PSNI form a barricade with riot shields during disorder in Ballymena (Liam McBurney/PA) The riotous behaviour earlier in the week saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns. Petrol bombs, fireworks, masonry and a hatchet were among items thrown at officers. Police responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds during riots in Ballymena. Mr Boutcher said: 'I want to specifically mention the 41 police officers who've been injured. Each of those officers have put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities. Advertisement 'And I want to send a very clear message to all our diverse communities: we stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to protect you. 'We are your police service, and these bigots and racists will not win the day. This will be policed properly. We will deal with this – and we all know that in this room – but let's call an end to it now.' A PSNI vehicle near to debris on fire during disorder in Ballymena (Liam McBurney/PA) The PSNI chief said the initial lawful and legitimate process before unrest broke out was done in a way that was responsible and empathetic to the victim. However, he said the protest was subsequently 'hijacked' and turned into 'wanton, disgraceful criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated'. Advertisement A hatchet was thrown at police during the unrest (PSNI Handout/PA) The chief said the service was under-resourced and needed to be funded 'properly' rather than 'disgracefully'. However, he said his officers would still bring people to justice: 'We've put our public order inquiry team together, we'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them.' Mr Boutcher said 80 public-order officers from Scotland came to the region on Thursday to support policing efforts. A person throws a hatchet at police during the disorder (Liam McBurney/PA) The head officer described how PSNI members helped evacuate foreign national families who were hiding in attics and wardrobes in their homes in Ballymena as rioters went on the rampage on Monday night. He said the families targeted had done nothing wrong. 'They are not criminals. They contribute positively to society here and are well integrated,' he said. 'Fire Service colleagues described how they went to the scenes to stop arson attacks at those addresses, and how they, in all their years in the Fire Service, have not seen levels of violence to that level, and told me specifically and directly of the bravery, the courage of a very thin green line of police officers that without doubt, in my view, saved lives that night.' Michael Elliott, 18, leaving Ballymena Courthouse, following a short hearing where he faced charges relating to the disorder (Liam McBurney/PA) Earlier, a judge warned that courts will deal 'robustly' with those involved in violence in Ballymena. District Judge Nigel Broderick warned that young people who got involved were risking a significant custodial sentence as three teenagers faced rioting charges at the town's magistrates' court on Thursday. Michael Elliot, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, and two youths were the first defendants to appear in court since the sustained violence erupted in the Co Antrim town on Monday. Meanwhile, two other teenage boys who were arrested during the disorder have been released on bail to allow for further police inquiries. A firefighter outside Larne Leisure Centre (Liam McBurney/PA) Secretary of State Hilary Benn described the scenes as 'mindless racist thuggery' while Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long said it has been a 'three-day festival of hate and destruction' which needs to stop before someone loses their life. Thirty minutes from Ballymena, a leisure centre in Larne was subjected to arson after temporarily being used as an emergency shelter for those in urgent need following disturbances in the town earlier in the week. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the building in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons (Liam McBurney/PA) Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said Mr Lyons should resign over his social media post while the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said he would refer the Communities Minister to the standards commission. Mr Benn also asked the minister to 'reflect upon his words' and 'not upon his position'. Mr Lyons has resisted calls for his resignation and said he would 'strongly hit back at any notion' that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
PSNI chief warns rioters ‘we will arrest you'
Northern Ireland's police chief has warned 'bigots and racists' behind three nights of disorder in the region that his officers will be coming after them. Jon Boutcher said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend, an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in the Co Antrim town, had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting since Monday. Forty-one officers have been injured in the unrest, which had resulted in 15 arrests by Thursday evening. Mr Boutcher, who met the girl's family on Thursday, delivered a stark message to the rioters as he spoke to the media in Belfast after a meeting with his oversight body, the Northern Ireland Policing Board. 'Stop this violence,' he said. 'We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully. It is not in any way a way for a civilised society to behave and it must stop now.' He said the family was 'mortified' by the disorder. 'This girl's family and this girl want it to end. Our communities want it to end. We need it to end. So please don't come out on the streets tonight. If you do, we will police you and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.' After the warning, gatherings in several towns proceeded largely without any major disturbance by 9pm on Thursday. A significant police presence had been deployed to Ballymena and Portadown but there was no initial repeat of the violence of previous nights. Police said a separate protest in east Belfast also ended early in the evening. The riotous behaviour earlier in the week saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns. Petrol bombs, fireworks, masonry and a hatchet were among items thrown at officers. Police responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds during riots in Ballymena. Mr Boutcher said: 'I want to specifically mention the 41 police officers who've been injured. Each of those officers have put themselves in harm's way to protect our communities. 'And I want to send a very clear message to all our diverse communities: we stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with you. We are here to protect you. 'We are your police service, and these bigots and racists will not win the day. This will be policed properly. We will deal with this – and we all know that in this room – but let's call an end to it now.' The PSNI chief said the initial lawful and legitimate process before unrest broke out was done in a way that was responsible and empathetic to the victim. However, he said the protest was subsequently 'hijacked' and turned into 'wanton, disgraceful criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated'. The chief said the service was under-resourced and needed to be funded 'properly' rather than 'disgracefully'. However, he said his officers would still bring people to justice: 'We've put our public order inquiry team together, we'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them.' Mr Boutcher said 80 public-order officers from Scotland came to the region on Thursday to support policing efforts. The head officer described how PSNI members helped evacuate foreign national families who were hiding in attics and wardrobes in their homes in Ballymena as rioters went on the rampage on Monday night. He said the families targeted had done nothing wrong. 'They are not criminals. They contribute positively to society here and are well integrated,' he said. 'Fire Service colleagues described how they went to the scenes to stop arson attacks at those addresses, and how they, in all their years in the Fire Service, have not seen levels of violence to that level, and told me specifically and directly of the bravery, the courage of a very thin green line of police officers that without doubt, in my view, saved lives that night.' Earlier, a judge warned that courts will deal 'robustly' with those involved in violence in Ballymena. District Judge Nigel Broderick warned that young people who got involved were risking a significant custodial sentence as three teenagers faced rioting charges at the town's magistrates' court on Thursday. Michael Elliot, 18, of Lanntara, Ballymena, and two youths were the first defendants to appear in court since the sustained violence erupted in the Co Antrim town on Monday. Meanwhile, two other teenage boys who were arrested during the disorder have been released on bail to allow for further police inquiries. Secretary of State Hilary Benn described the scenes as 'mindless racist thuggery' while Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long said it has been a 'three-day festival of hate and destruction' which needs to stop before someone loses their life. Thirty minutes from Ballymena, a leisure centre in Larne was subjected to arson after temporarily being used as an emergency shelter for those in urgent need following disturbances in the town earlier in the week. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, who highlighted the use of the building in a social media post, said all those who had been staying at the leisure centre are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said Mr Lyons should resign over his social media post while the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole said he would refer the Communities Minister to the standards commission. Mr Benn also asked the minister to 'reflect upon his words' and 'not upon his position'. Mr Lyons has resisted calls for his resignation and said he would 'strongly hit back at any notion' that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena.
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
The Ballymena riots are nothing to do with protecting women
Less than a year on from the far right riots that gripped England last summer, another part of the UK finds itself engulfed in a rampage of violence sparked by anti-immigrant sentiment. Several Northern Irish towns and cities have seen days of racially-motivated destruction, disorder and crime, with homes set alight, petrol bombs thrown and police officers attacked. The epicentre of the chaos is Ballymena, Country Antrim, where rioting followed initially peaceful protests on Monday evening in support of a teenage girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted in the area. Two teenagers appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. Though their ethnicity hasn't been officially announced by the police, they spoke through a Romanian translator in court. And much like the riots that originated in Stockport last summer when Axel Rudakubana killed three children, it is their perceived identity that is the focus of the disorder. Like that unrest, the violence has been targeted, and terrifying, not least for someone like me, a visibly Muslim woman living in the UK. Attacks have been aimed at businesses and households thought to belong to 'foreign' people, anti-immigration slogans have been chanted in the street, and rioters have even live-streamed burning someone's house. The situation is so bad that families in Northern Ireland have resorted to putting up signs clarifying their identity to avoid being considered 'foreign'. It goes without saying that we should all be outraged by the alleged attempted rape of a teenage girl, no matter who is accused of perpetrating the act. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video But like last year, I'm forced to ask – is this really about the alleged victim at all? Why is it that these masked mobs only seem to care about protecting women and girls from violence and sexual assault when it's someone who isn't White British accused of the crime? There was no sign of these rioters when, for example, one of Northern Ireland's most prominent politicians, former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, was charged with 18 sexual offences including one of rape, all of which he denies. Defenders of these racist riots might argue that immigration is the root of this problem but are we really going to pretend that migrant men are uniquely responsible for the epidemic of violence against women in a way that white British people aren't? The last time I checked, our national institutions – from parliament to the police force – were riddled with instances of misogyny. Besides, if immigration was to blame then how do you explain sexual abuses of power conducted by wealthy white men in suits? Are we going to ban suits because some men who wear them abuse women? No, of course not. Because those propositions are ridiculous. Just as ridiculous as blaming racist riots on the very immigrant communities who are being targeted. Ultimately, those rioting are hiding behind the guise of protecting women to instead propagate extremism. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Those in Ballymena aren't venting their frustrations at specific immigration policy, or protesting in support of women and girls, they are enacting violence and creating disorder in the name of the kind of culture that excludes people like me. If this was actually about systemic misogyny, then we'd see mass unrest every time a famous figure, business or institution is found to have been mistreating women, something that happens with depressing regularity. Instead, when horrific things befall women and girls, our suffering is hijacked by those seeking to sow discord and ignite community tensions. Just like with the horrific murder of three little girls in Stockport last year, the unconscionable act simply became a way for people to fuel a violent anti-immigration agenda. Meanwhile the plight of the victims and their families was overshadowed. Senseless violence and mass disorder doesn't protect women. It renders entire communities unsafe and ironically it is women and children who bear the brunt of this. There have been stories of migrant mothers fleeing Northern Ireland with their children in recent days because they are so frightened of being visibly foreign amidst such aggression and hostility. Parts of Britain descending into racist chaos every time a non-white person commits or is accused of a crime destroys the fabric of what sort of country Britain claims to be: One of tolerance and inclusion. These far-right rioters positioning themselves as the great defenders of British women and girls actually do the opposite. It moves the focus away from dealing with systemic, embedded patriarchy and misogyny in our society and instead shifts resources – from media attention to police time and money – onto tackling the subsequent disorder, rather than the root cause. Plus, what sort of women and girls are they defending? Certainly not women like me, who are visibly other, and are actively rendered unsafe by this sort of violence. Everyone I know who is a visible outsider – whether through skin colour or religious dress – still has the memory of last summer's racist riots etched in their mind. More Trending It has permanently shifted the ground upon which we have built our lives in the country we thought we belonged in. The idea of the same thing once again being reignited on UK soil reminds me that people like me are never safe. All it takes is one alleged crime to be committed by someone with a foreign name or brown skin and we are all once again rendered unsafe, forced to hide away in our homes or prove our right to exist in the place we call home. And that isn't protecting anyone. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: Brat summer is back: From tennis to the Euros to the Rugby World Cup, just watch as sporting queens go centre stage MORE: Doctor Who fans are convinced the show is dying – but they're wrong MORE: Sabrina Carpenter knew you'd hate her kinky album cover – that's the point
