Missiles launched at police as 100s take to the streets of Northern Ireland for a second night after 'Romanian' teenagers appeared in court over alleged attempted rape - as cops make third arrest
Chaos has broken out for a second night in Northern Ireland as hundreds take to the streets to protest after two teenage boys appeared in court over alleged attempted rape.
Trouble first erupted yesterday evening as a demonstration by around 2,500 people in the Harryville area of Ballymena spiralled out of control.
The gathering was organised after a court appearance that day where two 14-year-olds were charged with attempted oral rape of a teenage girl in the town on June 7.
Both defendants required a Romanian interpreter in court, with police branding last night's riots 'racist thuggery'.
A third arrest was made in relation to the sexual assault last night as a 28-year-old man was taken in for questioning and then released.
Disorder has exploded onto the streets again tonight, with reports of mobs throwing bottles, wood, rocks, metal bars, wheelie bins, and even a child's bike.
A wall of riot police and armoured Land Rovers were seen trying to protect homes and forcing the crowd up the road.
Police reportedly used a loudspeaker to make a repeat warning to 'disperse as force is about to be used against violent individuals'.
Fireworks were allegedly fired at police lines, an action which received a large cheer from the crowd of protesters.
Police dogs attended the scene tonight to assist officers and attempt to control the chaos.
A water cannon has also been deployed by PSNI on the crowds in Ballymena.
Litter and debris can be seen strewn across the roads and pavements while smashed glass covers the town's streets.
A Romanian mother who lives in one of the houses attacked during the violence last night said she has been left too scared to stay in the area.
The mother-of-three said her children were asking why their house was being attacked during disturbances in the town last night.
Several properties were damaged on Clonavon Terrace, while a number of residents said today that they now intend to leave the area.
The woman from Romania, who said she was too afraid to give her name, claimed she tried to flee her house after the front window was broken.
'The children were asking me why are we being attacked,' she said.
'I don't want to stay here now, the children are afraid and I am afraid.'
A Romanian man said he had lived in the area for 15 years.
He said: 'We don't even know why this happened to us.
'The riots started last night. We didn't expect it to come to our house.
'We tried to get out of the house and go to a safe place.
'I have lived here 15 years. Everything else has been nice, everything has been OK.
'I have so many friends in Ballymena, I have got so much support.
'Everyone was texting and asking us if we are OK, if we are safe, if they can do anything for us.'
He added: 'I am lucky because the damage here is not too bad, but my sister has three kids, I have a little girl.
'We are going to live in a friend's house for a while and then try to move out of here.'
He said: 'I like to believe I am a Ballymena man now, I have been living here half of my life.
'I understand if people want to protest but it did not have to be like this.
'We should not have to pay the price.'
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