Live: Disorder continues across NI as Co Antrim leisure centre targeted
Disorder has broken out in Larne on Wednesday night as a leisure centre becomes the subject of attacks.
PSNI officers have also returned to the streets of Ballymena as a number of protests take place across Northern Ireland.
Images circulating online show bins set alight in from of Larne Lesiure Centre and a number of windows smashed and vandalised as it is alleged individuals were taken there after disturbances in Ballymena on Tuesday.
It comes after 17 officers were injured during incidents on June 10, as a spokesperson said officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction in the Clonavon Terrace area.
Violent disorder has taken place in the Co Antrim town for two nights following a protest march held in the arrests over an alleged sexual assault on a teenager at the weekend.
Two 14-year-old boys have been charged with attempted rape and a PSNI spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday a third person, aged 28, has been arrested in connection to the investigation.
Five people were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour on Tuesday and a male was also arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour on the O'Neill Road in Newtownabbey.
PSNI vehicles have blocked the main street area of Harryville on Wednesday evening as PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has taken place.
Online reports say that demonstrations are set to take place in various areas across the country including Belfast, Portadown and Coleraine.
Two protests are facing off in Magherfelt. One group are standing with Palestine flags in the centre of the Co Derry town. Police are attempting to keep the peace
This is the scene in Ballymena tonight
East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons has condemned the damage inflicted on Larne Leisure Centre tonight and said it only serves to hurt residents of the town.
He said, 'The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose. Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility.
There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne, and it must be condemned.'
Police Land Rovers are moving the crowd away from flashpoint area in Ballymena
Belfast Live its very own breaking news and top stories service on WhatsApp and we want you to join.
We'll send you the latest breaking news and the top headlines from across Northern Ireland straight to your phone.
Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in.
All you have to do is click on this link. Select 'Join Community' and you're in.
No one will be able to see who's receiving our messages and no one else can send messages apart from the Belfast Live team.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and select 'exit group'.
Videos online showing large number of people in the Harryville area - reports police dogs have been deployed in the area.
Police have issued a warning for people to disperse from the area.
It is reported that the Ravenhill Road in Belfast has been closed due to a protest and PSNI are on the scene.
Reports that the roundabout at Whiteabbey Hospital has been closed off by police too.
Cllr Tyler Hoey said on social media: "The scenes we are witnessing in Larne must come to an end.
"I am urging those involved, disperse and go home. Wrecking your town, buildings does absolutely no favours."
Minister Gordon Lyons said:
It has been brought to my attention that a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre in the early hours of the morning following the disturbances in Ballymena.
As a local MLA for the area, neither I nor my DUP Council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon.
It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.
Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful.
MLA Danny Donnelly said: "I was disgusted to see a crowd of masked thugs attacking Larne Leisure Centre this evening. They threw bricks through windows, burned bins and have lit a large fire nearby.
"Police Service of Northern Ireland officers were attacked with bricks. This was an attack on the town."
Police in Northern Ireland have requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following violence in Ballymena, a senior officer has said.
Read the full story here
Police have closed Henry Street at the Railway Street junction in the Harryville area
In a statement on Wednesday, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: 'The mindless violence witnessed over the past two nights in Ballymena is deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable. These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection.
'Ironically, and frustratingly, this violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge. Let me be clear: this behaviour must stop. I appeal to everyone involved to cease all further acts of criminality and disorder immediately.
'As with any serious offenders in Northern Ireland, we will pursue those responsible and bring them to justice. We will now begin our investigation of reviewing all evidence gathered, including video footage, and Images of the individuals involved will be released to identify offenders.
'Do not throw away your future and do not continue to endanger or intimidate the lives of others.
'To those who have been threatened or affected by this violence: we are with you. You deserve safety and justice, and we will find and prosecute those responsible. Hate-fuelled acts and mob rule do nothing but tear at the fabric of our society—they resolve nothing and serve no one."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
an hour ago
- Irish Examiner
Fire at leisure centre on third night of disorder in Ballymena
A fire broke out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility during several nights of disorder in Northern Ireland. Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre in Co Antrim on Wednesday and set fires outside which spread inside. The attack coincided with a third night of public disorder in the town of Ballymena, 30 minutes away from Larne. Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said in a social media post: 'Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs. 'Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this.' The PSNI deployed riot police in Ballymena for a third night as a significant crowd gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. Demonstrators who gathered on Bridge Street near the residential area were told to disperse shortly before 9pm after a firework was thrown at officers. Officers also used dog units and drones in their response to the gathering. Riot police with shields advanced on the crowd to disperse them. Missiles were thrown at officers in the Clonavon Terrace area on Wednesday night. Earlier, a senior officer said the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following further violence in Ballymena. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has flared. He said there were disgraceful scenes in Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey on Tuesday, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged. By Wednesday, six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one was charged. Over 30 police officers injured British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he 'utterly condemns' violence which left 32 police officers injured after the second night of disturbances. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has warned that the rioting 'risks undermining' the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course. Providing an update on the policing operation on Wednesday, Mr Henderson said: 'We are taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place. 'This will have an impact on our community, this will take away vital resources needed to police other areas.' He said they have requested about 80 officers through mutual aid. Riot police block a road in Ballymena following a second night of violence in Ballymena Picture: Jonathan McCambridge/PA Wire Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the Commons, Mr Starmer condemned the 'mindless attacks' against police. 'I utterly condemn the violence that we have seen overnight in Ballymena and in other parts of Northern Ireland, including against PSNI officers,' Mr Starmer told MPs. 'It's absolutely vital that the PSNI are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe.' In a joint statement, ministers from across the Stormont powersharing Executive, which includes Sinn Féin, DUP, Alliance Party and UUP, said those involved in disorder have nothing to offer society but 'division and disorder'. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly later appeared together to voice their condemnation. Sinn Féin vice-president Ms O'Neill told reporters in Belfast: 'It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.' She said ministers stood full-square with the young girl who was subject to the alleged sex attack but added the criminal justice system must be allowed to deal with that case. 'Separate to that is the racism that we're seeing… people being firebombed out of their homes, people having their doors knocked in, having their windows being smashed, families being intimidated,' Ms O'Neill added. 'That is absolutely unacceptable and everything that needs to be done to bring it to an end is our focus in terms of the engagement we have with the PSNI.' Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as 'unacceptable thuggery', adding: 'We've been in contact with the chief constable, and in constant contact with the PSNI throughout last night in terms of what was happening on the ground. 'I think today is about sending a very clear message that violence is wrong, it is entirely unacceptable. It must stop.' With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe it would be helpful for her to visit in the current context. A police car drives past a burnt-out overturned car on the street following a second night of violence in Ballymena. 'Violence needs to stop' DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly met residents in the town on Wednesday and said the local community are in fear and wanted the violence to stop. 'The key message here today is around that violence, and that the violence needs to stop, that's what the community wants to put across, and that's why I'm here to send that very clear and united message from right throughout the community and local residents for that to stop,' she said. Police said their officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena on Tuesday night. The PSNI deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannon as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. Police also reported that 'sporadic disorder' had also occurred in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well as incidents in north Belfast. The violence began around Clonavon Terrace on Monday night following an earlier peaceful protest which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged.
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Larne violence: ‘I thought Northern Ireland was past this; I thought we were beyond balaclavas'
On a leafy avenue overlooking Larne promenade on Wednesday night, groups of masked men made their way to the Co Antrim town's leisure centre. Residents living in large detached houses on Tower Road watched on in horror as the centre – which had provided emergency shelter to migrant families burnt out of their homes 32km away in Ballymena – was set on fire . 'They were coming up the road handing out balaclavas to each other, they were well organised. I've been living in this area for 50 years and never seen anything like it… it's appalling,' said one woman walking along the promenade on Thursday. Inside the centre, children as young as six were getting changed for their weekly swimming lesson and a yoga session was under way as protesters began banging on windows. READ MORE It marked the third night of violent disorder in Northern Ireland following an alleged sexual assault of a girl in Ballymena at the weekend. Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. Larne Leisure Centre was set on fire on Wednesday evening Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Jon Boutcher described the unrest as 'absolutely race-motivated'. As of Thursday evening, 41 officers had been injured and 15 people had been arrested. Standing outside a police cordon at Larne Leisure Centre on Thursday afternoon, swim coach Danielle Hill became emotional as she recalled the moment she saw four masked men appear when she went to move her car the previous evening. [ Three teenagers charged with riot in Ballymena while leisure centre set alight in Larne in third night of violence Opens in new window ] Hill (25) is a double Olympian from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim – she represented Ireland at the Tokyo and Paris summer games – and was waiting to take a group of children into the 25m pool at 7pm. At 7.22pm she received a phone call, warning her that trouble had flared following an earlier peaceful protest outside the centre attended by about 50 people. 'Hundreds had gathered by the time I went to move my car. Four men wearing balaclavas came around the corner. I have never experienced anything like that. When I saw them I paused. It was very scary,' she said. Larne leisure centre swim coach, Olympian Danielle Hill, became emotional as she recalled the moment she saw four masked men appear when she went to move her car outside the centre on Wednesday evening. Photograph: Seanín Graham 'My first thought was to get back inside to inform everybody. They had no idea what was going on, I was the eyes and ears outside. My first port of call was the children – there was about 30 to 40 kids inside.' Hill has not slept in 24 hours and appealed for calm. 'I thought Northern Ireland was past this; I thought we were beyond balaclavas. I thought we were beyond the violence. Kids shouldn't have to grow up in that. Last night was so unnecessary, it didn't achieve anything,' she said. 'This stemmed from an alleged sexual attack on a young girl, but last night has nothing to do with sexual violence. What unfolded was racism in its rawest and most dangerous form.' Earlier on Thursday, a political row erupted over comments by Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on social media hours before the attack in Larne, in which he posted the location of the centre – where migrants had stayed earlier in the week after fleeing their homes. First Minister Michelle O'Neill called for his resignation, accusing him of 'failing to show correct leadership', but Mr Lyons defended his position and said he had no intention of resigning. Extra police resources are being deployed to the North from Police Scotland to deal with the disturbances. First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaks to media in Belfast on Thursday following three nights of violence and public disorder in the town of Ballymena. Photograph: Rebecca Black/PA Wire During a PSNI press conference on Thursday, Mr Boutcher admitted the service 'did not have the resources' to deal with spontaneous violence on Monday but was equipped to deal with the disorder that followed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Asked about the arson attack in Larne, the chief constable said the responsibility for injured officers and damaged buildings falls on 'the people committing these crimes' rather than the PSNI. In late afternoon, an 80-year-old pensioner on the Larne promenade said she hoped the violence would end. 'Goodness knows, we had plenty of trouble years ago,' she said, 'we don't need that back again'.
Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Young victim of alleged sexual assault ‘further traumatised' by Ballymena rioting, says PSNI chief
Northern Ireland's police chief Jon Boutcher has warned 'bigots and racists' behind three nights of disorder in the region that his officers will be coming after them. Mr 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 – has been 'further traumatised' by the rioting that has been witnessed since Monday. Forty-one officers have been injured in the unrest that had also resulted in 15 arrests by Thursday evening. The riotous behaviour saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns. READ MORE Petrol bombs, fireworks, masonry and a hatchet were among items thrown at officers over the three nights of disorder. Police responded with with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the town. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher speaks to media following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim. Photograph: Brian Lawless/ PA Wire Mr Boutcher, who met with the girl's family on Thursday, delivered a stark message to the rioters as he spoke to the media in Belfast following 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. '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. '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,' he said. He said the girl and her family 'want it to end'. Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged in relation to the alleged sexual assault. 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 'hijacked' and turned into 'wanton, disgraceful criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated'. Fireworks thrown at riot police illluminate the road during a thrid night of anti-immigration demonstrations in Ballymena on Thursday. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images 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 and will release images of those responsible. Mr Boutcher said 80 public-order officers from Scotland would arrive in 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 and contribute positively to society. '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.' UK 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. Larne Leisure Centre was targeted on Wednesday evening as a third night of unrest unfolds 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. Mr Lyons has said he would 'strongly hit back at any notion' that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who were affected by the violence. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said Mr Lyons should resign over his 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'. —Press Association
