Baton rounds fired at rioters in Ballymena with some homes marked by nationality in second day of disorder
More than 20 baton rounds have been fired by police at rioters with a water cannon also at the scene of the ongoing 'serious disorder'.
At least four armoured vehicles have been deployed in the Clonavon area as masked youths attacked officers.
Petrol bombs, bricks and bottles are among the projectiles been thrown at the police.
A PSNI spokesman said the incident has escalated to a 'serious disorder' and have advised the public to avoid the area.
'Police are currently dealing with serious disorder in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena this evening, Tuesday 10th June,' the spokesman said.
"Members of the public should avoid the area. An update will be provided in due course.'
Around 300 hundred protestors have also gathered in the area, close to where a teenage girls was alleged to have been sexually assaulted at the weekend.
A peaceful vigil on Monday to support the girl and her family was later followed by serious trouble.
Two boys, both 14, were arrested and later jointly charged with the attempted oral rape of the girl on June 7.
Monday evening's violence resulted in 15 police officers suffering injuries with four homes in the area being set alight.
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Tonight, Translink has also suspended bus services in several areas of Belfast due to protests, as police confirm they are currently 'monitoring' the situation across Northern Ireland.
Services on the Shore Road in north Belfast remain at a standstill due to protestors blocking roadways along bus routes.
Bus services along the Ravenhill Road between the east and south of the city have also been diverted towards the Ormeau Embankment due to ongoing demonstrations.
Protestors had previously blocked roads at Carlisle Circus, but have since dispersed.
It's understood a crowd of around 50 gathered at the area holding placards saying: 'Protect Our Children.'
Shankill Road bus services have since been restored the public transport operator said.
A Translink spokesperson said: 'Metro 11 Shankill services have been restored. Shore road services currently suspended until further notice due to protests on the routes.
'Metro 6D services Diverted out and in via the Ormeau Road via the Embankment due to a protest on the Ravenhill Road.'
A PSNI spokesperson said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland is aware of several protests across Northern Ireland this evening, Tuesday 10th June. Officers are in attendance and will continue to monitor the situation."
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Irish Independent
an hour ago
- Irish Independent
‘He is unfit for office': DUP minister to be reported over social media post before rioters targeted Larne Leisure Centre
It was announced on Thursday that he will be referred to the standards commissioner following his comments. In a social media post on Wednesday Mr 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.' A fire later broke out at the centre following vandalism at the facility on the third night of disorder. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the facility had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in nearby Ballymena, but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere. Police and firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control on Wednesday night and said no one was inside at the time it broke out. Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster on Thursday morning, Mr Lyons defended his decision to post the information on social media. 'There is an attempt here to make it sound like I was trying to highlight the fact that this was being used and this is where people should go, it was the complete opposite,' he said. 'I was highlighting the fact that, yes this had been used and it was going to be the focus of the protest, but it shouldn't be because the rumours that were circulating were incorrect and no one was in fact there, so I wanted to try and disperse people from going there. 'On reflection the die had already been cast, I tried to diffuse the situation. 'I had appealed for calm in that statement as I wanted calm heads to prevail, that includes politicians using this to try and score points. 'I have been very clear, it was despicable scene we seen at the leisure centre and those people should be ashamed of themselves.' Mr Lyons condemned the damage inflicted on Larne Leisure Centre 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.' SDLP leader of the opposition, Matthew O'Toole, has said he will refer the minister to the Standards Commissioner. The standards commissioner is responsible for investigating complaints about alleged breaches of the code of conduct by MLAs. 'The actions of the Communities Minister cannot be ignored,' Mr O'Toole said. 'He is the minister response for the Housing Executive and lives are at stake.' 'Tomorrow (Thursday) the Opposition will refer him to the standards commissioner and explore all other options for accountability.' Ms Hargey said on X: 'Your job as Communities Minister, responsible for housing, is to stand up for families who had to urgently flee their homes after being attacked by thugs and to offer them support and safety. It's not to expose emergency centres and those same families. Shameful statement.' Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson said that the social media post by the communities minister 'was reckless and completely irresponsible'. He added: 'No politician should be publicly identifying locations used to shelter to families seeking refuge from violent, racist disorder; even if only temporarily.' Communities Minister Gordon Lyons faces being referred to an Assembly watchdog over a social media post about a Larne Leisure Centre which was later attacked Police deal with a third night of violence in Ballymena Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew, who chairs the Stormont committee that scrutinises Mr Lyons' department, called his media post 'reckless and inflammatory'. "At a time when vulnerable families are seeking safety, as minister for communities and housing, he should have been working to help those most in need,' he said. "However his comments were reckless and inflammatory. "Leadership should show responsibility — not feed into the fear of the vulnerable. "Everyone deserves to live free from violence and hate. "I will be raising the Minister's post at the Communities Committee today." 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Irish Times
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Ballymena riots: Leisure centre attacked, petrol bombs thrown in third night of violence
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[ Ballymena unrest: Those involved have nothing to offer but 'division and disorder', North's political parties say Opens in new window ] The DUP cannot be held responsible for the violence, however, and will have been genuinely alarmed by it. A change in position it was pursuing with some caution will now be seen to require more caution, yet also to be more urgent. Whatever approach the DUP takes to that conundrum, it is set to become the first major party on the island of Ireland to diverge from the political consensus on immigration. READ MORE The focus of the DUP's Assembly statements on Monday was north Belfast, which has experienced visible demographic change in recent years, partly driven by a new British government policy of moving asylum seekers out of hotels into the community. 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Brexit has destroyed its reputation for competence and shattered the unionist bloc vote it once won by default. If it is seen to be failing its supporters on another issue they care about deeply, large numbers of them will simply abandon it. The party is already a shadow of its former self. Frew may be personally popular in north Antrim but he is the DUP's only remaining Assembly member in what was its electoral heartland. Ian Paisley sensationally lost the constituency's Westminster seat to the TUV last year. Brexit also cost the DUP its Westminster seat in North Belfast, lost to Sinn Féin in 2019. Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly of the DUP speaks to local residents during a visit to Clonavon Terrace following a second night of violence in Ballymena this week. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Dismayed to see further disorder last night. Violence is always wrong. I have been in constant contact throughout last night with PSNI and in contact with local elected representatives. This disorder and violence must stop and justice be allowed to prevail. — Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) Before the disorder broke out on Monday night, an estimated 2,500 Ballymena residents had held a tense but peaceful protest in support of the assault victims. Unionist politicians were present but scarcely visible: the protest had been organised organically via social media. All three main unionist parties are now tiny organisations, unable to project much presence on the ground, let alone exercise authority. Posting Assembly statements online may look like a pathetic attempt to regain relevance. Nevertheless, breaking the consensus on immigration will have knock-on effects throughout northern politics, with a secondary impact on the south via Sinn Féin. The DUP wants to set itself apart from other parties on this issue, as Lyons's chiding showed. It competes for votes with the TUV, UUP and Alliance; all three will have to decide whether and by how much to adjust their positions. The DUP could struggle to maintain its own position. Most of its statements so far have been measured and responsible, and it is correct that problems are being foolishly ignored. However, the party leadership is generally more moderate than its members and many of its elected representatives. It could find it has unleashed sentiments that carry it swiftly to the right. Nationalist parties must decide how to handle an emerging orange/green divide on immigration. Lauding nationalist tolerance over unionist intolerance is itself rather obviously divisive. The SDLP has little to lose by sticking to its principles but Sinn Féin is more exposed, as the immigration pressures it is wrestling with in the Republic are starting to affect its constituents north of the Border. Demographic change in north Belfast reached nationalist neighbourhoods first because they are closer to the city centre and have more suitable accommodation. Although this has gone remarkably smoothly, there have inevitably been some problems. Sinn Féin's response to this will be greatly complicated by the DUP raising the same problems streets away. Immigration and the asylum system are not devolved, so every party at Stormont can complain about it without accepting any blame. There is always the hope they can unite around that.
