Anti-racism rally to take place in Belfast as PSNI officers are attacked with petrol bombs during riot
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MP and MLA slam trouble as images show police officer surrounded by flames
A rally against racism will take place in Belfast city centre this afternoon.
It follows five nights of violence on the streets of Northern Ireland.
The rally is due to start at City Hall at noon.
Last night, police were attacked as violence flared in Portadown. Images show one officer surrounded by flames after a petrol bomb was thrown.
Others were pelted with fireworks and missiles including masonry, bricks and bottles as unrest continued past midnight.
At one stage water cannon was deployed.
Carla Lockhart, the DUP MP for the area, said: 'It is deeply disheartening to see a small minority resort to violence and unrest. I unequivocally condemn these actions and appeal once again for calm, restraint, and respect.
'Let me be clear: violence has never solved anything, and it never will. It leaves scars not just on communities, but on the lives of those who engage in it. The consequences can last a lifetime.'
PSNI say Portadown riots had 'more co-ordination' as mutual aid to be deployed this weekend
Alliance deputy leader Eoin Tennyson slammed the scenes as 'racist thuggery".
He said today: "Those attacking police and terrorising our community have nothing to offer but fear, division and hate.
"Let me be clear: it is not protest, it is not legitimate. It is an assault on the rule of law and those who put themselves in harms way to keep us safe.'
Violence erupted in Ballymena on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault, with unrest spreading to other towns.
Last night's trouble in Portadown was centred on the West Street area, but on a lower level to the previous evening.
One PSNI officer was directly in the impact of a petrol bomb that landed behind a line of police vehicles during a sustained standoff with rioters.
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 water cannon was used again at around 12.30am this morning.
Elsewhere, 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.
Key updates
DUP are realists, not racists on migration says leader Gavin Robinson as he attacks 'sneering' critics
'It's one of NI's most deprived areas – it's poverty more than religion and ethnicity': Ballymena locals reflect on disorder
Violence monetised: How livestreamers on TikTok turned Ballymena's unrest into odd viral and profitable spectacle
Sam McBride on DUP's 'incoherent' stance after lobbying for more migration
13 minutes ago
DUP are realists, not racists on migration says leader Gavin Robinson as he attacks 'sneering' critics
The DUP's call for 'honest action" on illegal immigration does not make the party racist or far right, its leader has insisted.
Gavin Robinson also hit out at 'sneering commentary' from those in 'leafy suburbs' unaffected by the issue.
His comments follow five nights of violence in towns across Northern Ireland, culminating in police being attacked with petrol bombs last night.
DUP are realists, not racists on migration says leader Gavin Robinson as he attacks 'sneering' critics
The DUP's call for 'honest action" on illegal immigration does not make the party racist or far right, its leader has insisted.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 09:28 AM
'It's one of NI's most deprived areas – it's poverty more than religion and ethnicity': Ballymena locals reflect on disorder
As scenes of unruly mobs, burnt-out homes and terrified families made headlines around the world this week, Ballymena found itself in the spotlight.
Several nights of rioting saw the Co Antrim town make the news for all the wrong reasons.
It's an area that already has its share of problems, from the closure of several large factories and sources of employment, to being in the grip of a drugs crisis.
Now, one locally based social worker believes 'intense social and economic deprivation' is fuelling the violence.
'It's one of NI's most deprived areas – it's poverty more than religion and ethnicity': Ballymena locals reflect on disorder
As scenes of unruly mobs, burnt-out homes and terrified families made headlines around the world this week, Ballymena found itself in the spotlight.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 08:30 AM
Violence monetised: How livestreamers on TikTok turned Ballymena's unrest into odd viral and profitable spectacle
Behind every burst of violence, someone is chasing engagement.
For the past week, Ballymena - along with pockets of unrest in east Belfast, Portadown, Newtownabbey, Larne and Coleraine - has become the latest flashpoint in Northern Ireland's uneasy social terrain.
The trouble has filled days of TV news bulletins and newspaper column inches. But for many, the frontline hasn't been the Six O'Clock News - it's TikTok Live.
One prolific user, who spoke on condition of anonymity, admits he purposely attended the protest because of the 'hype' and 'people making money from the streams'.
Violence monetised: How livestreamers on TikTok turned Ballymena's unrest into odd viral and profitable spectacle
It could be the opening sequence of a Netflix dystopian drama: smoke curling through a housing estate in Ballymena, voices rising in anger, a dozen phone screens glowing like lanterns against the dark.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 08:16 AM
DUP MLA: Concerns 'deserve to be heard'
Jonathan Buckley has been reacting to last night's violence in Portadown.
The DUP MLA for Upper Bann said the trouble was "utterly senseless and reckless".
In a social media post, Mr Buckley said there are concerns in communities, but warned these must be addressed through democratic means.
He said: "I understand that many in our community have deeply held concerns about the impact of uncontrolled and illegal immigration. I feel it too, and I have expressed those concerns on your behalf. These issues must not be dismissed; they deserve to be heard and addressed through proper democratic channels.
"Recent events have shown how quickly protests can descend into disorder, undermining the very message they aim to convey.
"Last night was particularly hard for the residents of Edgarstown, who had to endure the disruption.
"As we've seen across Northern Ireland over the past few days, it is utterly senseless and reckless to destroy the very community we are trying to protect."
Today 07:54 AM
Sam McBride on DUP's 'incoherent' stance after lobbying for more migration
"The monstrous fury unleashed in Ballymena this week before infecting other towns is a problem for all of society - but it is a particular crisis for the DUP," Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride writes.
"The DUP is being grossly hypocritical on immigration - claiming now that it's highly sceptical about immigration when for years it lobbied the Government to make it easier for more low-skilled foreigners to come to Northern Ireland as cheap labour for big business."
He adds: "The DUP has also lobbied to relax immigration rules for migrant fishermen and more broadly argued in favour of migration to help the economy.
"All of this is perfectly reasonable; what's incoherent is then decrying the impact of such policy choices."
Incoherent DUP vulnerable if voters realise it lobbied for more migration while presenting very different message
The monstrous fury unleashed in Ballymena this week before infecting other towns is a problem for all of society — but it is a particular crisis for the DUP.
www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Today 07:53 AM
' Racist thugs are terrorising our community'
Alliance deputy leader Eoin Tennyson has said he "utterly condemns the racist thuggery" seen in Portadown over the last two nights.
He said today: "Those attacking police and terrorising our community have nothing to offer but fear, division and hate.
"Let me be clear: it is not protest, it is not legitimate. It is an assault on the rule of law and those who put themselves in harms way to keep us safe.
"This mindless minority does not speak for the majority of people in our town."
Today 07:32 AM
Water cannon deployed in Portadown
This was the moment water cannon was fired at rioters in Portadown last night.
Today 06:36 AM
Youths and riot police in Portadown. Brian Lawless/PA
MP Carla Lockhart condemns Portadown disorder: 'Violence never solved anything'
Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has condemned last night's trouble in Portadown.
She said: "I want to pay tribute to the tireless efforts of community representatives who have worked diligently to de-escalate tensions. I've witnessed the very best of our community representatives and people on the ground, stepping up, engaging constructively and standing by their areas with courage and commitment.
"It is deeply disheartening to see a small minority resort to violence and unrest. I unequivocally condemn these actions and appeal once again for calm, restraint and respect.
"Let me be clear: violence has never solved anything, and it never will. It leaves scars not just on communities, but on the lives of those who engage in it. The consequences can last a lifetime.
"We will be continuing to work with the community and liaise with the police to try and restore peace."
Today 06:27 AM
Calm restored in Portadown
Trouble broke out in Portadown last night after a protest, with sporadic violence around the West Street area.
PSNI officers were targeted with petrol bombs, fireworks and other missiles.
Locals say the violence was at a lower level than the previous night, and calm was restored overnight.
Yesterday 09:47 PM
Another night of trouble in Portadown
Petrol bombs have been thrown at riot police deployed in Portadown tonight after a senior officer said there would be 'scaled up' policing presence across Northern Ireland in anticipation of further disorder over the weekend.
Yesterday 09:07 PM
Several projectiles thrown at police, including a beer keg, in Portadown
Tensions flare for a second night in the Co Armagh town with a number of missiles hurled at police in the last hour
Kevin Scott on Twitter / X
A number of missiles and a beer keg have been thrown at police in Portadown.It comes as a protest is underway in the town for a second night.Videos from the scene show a large police presence including officers in riot gear.I understand police have also come under attack in… pic.twitter.com/P8ysETzkEZ— Kevin Scott (@Kscott_94) June 13, 2025
Yesterday 06:16 PM
Protests expected in Portadown as Translink diverts several bus routes
Translink on Twitter / X
#GLE Due to expected protests in #Portadown this evening, the 251c services at 18:35 & 20:05 from #Belfast to #Armagh will not serve Church St.ℹ️ These services will now operate from the Portadown Train Station bus stop instead.— Translink (@Translink_NI) June 13, 2025
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Yesterday 05:03 PM
PSNI release images as part of investigation into riots
Yesterday 03:34 PM
PSNI update on arrests, injuries and charges so far
63 officers injured over the course of the week
17 people arrested to date
13 charged with criminal offences
9 held overnight for court today
Yesterday 03:30 PM
PSNI 'still no intelligence' regarding paramilitary involvement
ACC Ryan Henderson said there has been much speculation to who has been involved.
"Those arrested in Ballymena have all been local people."
"No intelligence as of yet to paramilitaries"
ACC Henderson said there was "more coordination" in Portadown on Thursday night "in comparison to previous days".
Yesterday 03:27 PM
Weekend police presence
ACC Ryan Henderson says the weekend will see a "large police presence around the country"
Yesterday 03:26 PM
Latest PSNI press conference on riots
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson: "Those posting hate on social media are being actively investigated by police"
Full repairs at Larne Leisure Centre 'will take many months and come at a significant cost'
It has been revealed that it will take "many months" to repair Larne Leisure Centre after it was vandalised and set alight on Wednesday evening, and at a "significant cost".
UUP MLA John Stewart met with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Jackson Minford, at Larne Leisure Centre on Friday to assess the damage.
Mr Stewart posted: "Seeing the extent of the damage inside the building (especially in the reception area) was deeply depressing. The level of destruction is significant and full repairs will take many months and come at a significant cost.
"That said, I am really heartened to see the incredible efforts already underway. Staff and contractors are working around the clock to secure the site and explore ways of reopening parts of the centre on a temporary basis over the coming weeks. The Council will keep everyone updated as plans progress.
"We also spoke with Louise and the fantastic team at the Prom Café. Despite losing a day's trade yesterday, they're back open and were being brilliantly supported by the local community this morning. Please do pop in and give them your support if you can.
"The community's response in the face of such a depressing and senseless incident has been genuinely inspiring. A huge thank you to all the staff at Larne Leisure Centre and everyone involved in the clean-up and recovery efforts. Your work is appreciated more than you know .
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3 hours ago
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Police working ‘night and day' to catch those involved in Northern Ireland riots
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