BREAKING NEWS Leisure Centre 'being used as emergency accommodation for immigrants' goes up in flames after being set on fire by masked yobs: Riot cops swarm streets as Northern Ireland enters its third night of unrest
A leisure centre used as an emergency centre for Romanians has been set on fire by hooded thugs during a third day of 'racist' violence in Northern Ireland.
A large group of yobs have torched Larne Leisure Centre in County Antrim, which is believed to have taken in Romanian immigrants to shelter them from this week's riots.
PSNI officers have also returned to the streets of Ballymena for the third night in a row after 300 yobs hurled petrol bombs at cops, smashed windows and torched cars yesterday - the day after a peaceful vigil of 2,500 people descended into mayhem.
The riots have taken place after two 14-year-old boys - who both required a Romanian interpreter in court - were charged with the attempted oral rape of a teenage girl last weekend.
The boys are charged with attempted rape while a third person, aged 28, was been arrested in connection to the investigation on Monday night.
Five people were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour yesterday, while a male was also arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour in Newtownabbey.
Distressing footage taken outside Larne Leisure Centre tonight shows a group of hooded thugs setting the building alight.
An Emergency Rest Centre was opened at the centre on Tuesday evening by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, following the rioting in Ballymena which left a number of families in urgent need of temporary shelter.
The Council confirmed the activation of the Emergency Rest Centre (ERC) was part of its established emergency response protocols, carried out in collaboration with local partner agencies including emergency services and support organisations.
A spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said: 'In line with normal protocols and in collaboration with local agencies, Council received a request to open an Emergency Rest Centre at Larne Leisure Centre last night, to provide emergency shelter for families in urgent need following disturbances in Ballymena.
'The families have all been safely relocated and are no longer availing of the facility.'
Last night saw the worst scenes of mass wanton destruction yet that left more police officers injured, with cars set alight and properties smashed up.
One of his Senior Team, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, said earlier today that the PSNI have redirected a significant number of extra officers into areas affected by two days of violent disorder, the worst of which took place in Ballymena.
ACC Henderson labelled the violence over the past two nights as 'racist thuggery targeted at ethnic minorities and police officers'. He added that all footage of incidents was being reviewed and prosecutions would come.
Meanwhile, Police Scotland has agreed to a request to send officers, after police in Northern Ireland requested extra support under mutual aid arrangements.
The deployment will involve an undisclosed number of public order officers trained to police civil unrest. The PSNI said they have requested 80 officers from other forces in mainland UK.
ACC Henderson revealed: 'We're 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 communities. This will take away vital resources needed to police other areas. It will have an impact on our ability to serve communities.
'It's hugely important that people realise there are consequences for this.'
ACC Henderson said many people woke up this morning 'feeling genuine fear for their lives and their livelihoods'.
He added: 'This violence only serves to undermine the criminal investigation and cause further distress and turmoil to a young victim and her family.
'This violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge.'
Police said there have also been sporadic incidents of disorder in Carrickfergus, north Belfast and Newtownabbey, where one man was arrested.
More demonstrations have been organised across Northern Ireland tonight with fears they will bring with it the potential for more trouble breaking out.
One man, 29, has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police after Monday's violence.
The worst of the trouble has been taking place in Ballymena, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area but also in nearby thoroughfares Larne Street and Queen Stree. Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bottles and fireworks lobbed in their direction.
ACC Henderson said: 'There were people who were intent on violence right from the off, so that says to me that there was pre-planning involved from those who wanted to attack us.
'A number of other protests, attacks on homes and disorder took place in Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey.'
Authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) - a police source told MailOnline it was at least 20 - and two water cannons were also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
Some homes in the trouble-torn epicentre of the Harryville estate have begun displaying stickers outlining the residents' nationalities such as 'Filipino lives here' alongside Union Jack stickers and flags.
Businesses and houses were attacked and damaged and a number of vehicles were also set on fire in the area. Even some homes with Union Jack flags on display fell victim to broken windows leaving local residents caught in the crossfire as a baying mob targeted properties were they believed non-nationals and migrants were living.
At a press conference earlier today, police said it was 'not clear' if paramilitaries are coordinating rioting in Ballymena. The Harryville estate would be considered a loyalist area.
ACC Henderson added: 'At this point it's not clear to us or through intelligence or what we're hearing if there's paramilitary coordination to it.'
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn is planning to visit Ballymena, it has been announced.
Lady Anderson, speaking in the House of Lords today, said the Cabinet minister was having 'active conversations' with both the Stormont administration and the PSNI.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he 'utterly condemns' the violence and called them 'mindless attacks'.
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said what was happening in Ballymena was 'pure racism, there's no other way to dress it up', while the Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the violence was 'serving no purpose whatsoever' and was only damaging communities.
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Family of girl 'sexually assaulted by Romanian teens' plead with Ballymena rioters to end violence as town braces for fourth night of chaos
The family of the girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by Romanian teens, has pleaded with rioters in Ballymena to end the violence after three nights of chaos. Northern Ireland 's police chief Jon Boutcher said the young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend had been 'further traumatised' by the rioting that has been witnessed since Monday. The alleged sexual assault of the girl by Romanian teens triggered protests which descended into violence throughout the week. 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. He said that 80 officers from Scotland were due to arrive today, as the town braces itself for a fourth night of rioting. It comes as three teenagers have appeared in court today in connection with riots this week. '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. '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. '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. Mr Boutcher added that he would "always be concerned" the unrest would spread to other towns. 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 County Antrim town on Monday. The officer told the court that Elliott was arrested at 11.50pm on Tuesday night following an incident where a house on Bridge Street had been set on fire. The detective constable said it was originally believed the occupants were still inside the property. Elliott was detained after he was seen running from the scene, the court was told. He was wearing gloves and a balaclava, the court heard. During police interview he had made admissions to the offence of riotous assembly, the detective said. He told police during interview he had become involved in the disorder because others were involved and blamed the situation on police. The detective constable said there was 'strong public feeling' currently within Ballymena. He said police believed it is important that courts send out a 'strong message'. He said if the court did not, there was a risk of further disorder that could lead to 'death or serious injury' for foreign nationals living in Ballymena. A defence solicitor said his client's involvement was limited to 'throwing stones'. The district judge told Elliott he was a young man who now found himself in the dock in court. He said the court would deal 'robustly' with those where there was evidence they were involved in the disorder. The judge refused an application for bail. He said: 'Your case should be an example to others who are considering getting involved in further public disorder.' The judge said there was a high likelihood that those who were charged over rioting would be refused bail and would face a significant custodial sentence if convicted. He remanded Elliott in custody until July 10. A 15-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy also appeared in the dock charged with riotous assembly and criminal damage. Both were rejected bail and remanded to appear at a youth court on June 18. The riotous behaviour saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns. Forty-one officers have been injured in the unrest which has also resulted in 13 arrests by lunchtime on Thursday. 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 Mr Boutcher 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.' 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. 'They are valued members of society in Northern Ireland. '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.' 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.
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
Blame game breaks out over Northern Ireland riots
A Stormont minister is facing calls to resign as a blame game breaks out over the Northern Ireland riots. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is accused of making Larne Leisure Centre a target for anti-migrant rioters with a social media post sent hours before it was set on fire. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill has now told him to 'consider his position', claiming he had 'failed to show correct leadership'. Mr Lyons, of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), 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 nearby Ballymena. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said ethnic minorities have been targeted in the violence, which they have described as 'racist thuggery'. Masked youths attacked the leisure centre on Wednesday night and set it on fire. Before the blaze, Mr Lyons posted on social media that the building had been used to temporarily accommodate several people following riotous behaviour in Ballymena, which is 30 minutes away. His post said: '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.' He added: '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.' Ms O'Neill said Mr Lyons had 'failed to show correct leadership and I think that his commentary falls very short and very much strays into the territory of inflaming the situation, so I think that he should consider his position.' 'Stop the rumours' Asked by the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme if he should still be in his job, Mr Lyons replied: 'Absolutely.' He added: 'My message was posted because rumours had been circulating that the leisure centre was to be turned into a permanent centre. 'A protest had already been planned at 7pm last evening. 'The PSNI was then in contact with one of our local councillors and they were keen that we highlight the fact that the leisure centre was no longer being used for this purpose, they wanted to stop the rumours that people were being permanently housed there and all of that was the catalyst for the protest. 'As a result of that, I posted a clarification that the centre had been used but that was temporary and was no longer being used for that purpose.' Mr Lyons said he believed it was right that public representatives should be consulted when emergency protocols are put in place. He said: 'I believe that information is key here so that rumours don't circulate around.' Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said: 'If people have been forced out of their homes, they need to be taken to a place of safety and they need to be looked after because they will be traumatised and they will be frightened. 'I don't think it helps matters at all to publicise where they have been taken.' 'Reckless' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, who is a DUP party colleague of Mr Lyons, said: 'I think that what the people of Northern Ireland need and want right now is to see that the Executive is united, and united on a very clear message. 'That is incredibly important, we have just seen three nights of violent disorder.' Matthew O'Toole, leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he had referred Mr Lyons' social media post to the Assembly standards commissioner. Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly said: 'If I was the minister I would be considering my position. 'Highlighting the location of where immigrant families who had been burnt out were taken to a place of safety on social media was reckless and dangerous, and it certainly was a factor in that protest.' Third night of disorder Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew described Mr Lyons' post as 'reckless and inflammatory', adding: 'Leadership should show responsibility - not feed into the fear of the vulnerable.' Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the leisure centre had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following the disturbances in Ballymena, but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere. The fire in Larne coincided with a third night of public disorder in Ballymena. 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.
The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
History is repeating itself in my hometown and it's terrifying to watch
Once, when I was a teenager, I was in a Spar in Ballymena when a man walked in and announced he would burn the shop to the ground if it didn't close immediately. My sister and I did not hesitate. Like everyone else, we believed him – and fled. We had been intending to dash in to the store for just a few minutes to stock up on essentials, amid fears of a long few days ahead of us as rioting broke out across Northern Ireland in the 1990s over Drumcree. So it's terrifying to watch violence unfold in my hometown again, as we have over recent nights. Around a 30-minute drive from Belfast, although it occasionally felt like further, Ballymena is often dubbed the buckle of the 'bible belt' of Northern Ireland, surprising visitors with the number of churches that line its streets. A DUP heartland, its MP was for many decades the firebrand preacher the Rev Ian Paisley, who used to secure huge parliamentary majorities, often winning one in every two votes cast. Its status as a prosperous market town in the middle of Northern Ireland, its name literally means 'middle town', helped during the long years of the Troubles. It is the home of Northern Ireland's first Sainsbury's, opened not long before the Good Friday Agreement, giving me a weekend bakery job – which occassionally included putting the jam in jam doughnuts – one of hundreds of jobs it brought to the town, as well as a company slogan "A fresh approach" that we hoped matched the times. That prosperity is one of the reasons that the town attracted immigrants in the years after the peace process proved a lasting success – migrants who are now the subject of horrific violence. In one video shared online, a woman tells the rioters: 'Be careful, lads', followed by a man telling her there were people living in one of the houses being attacked. She replied: 'Aye, but are they local? If they're local, they need out. If they're not local, let them f****** stay there.' Like everywhere in Northern Ireland, Ballymena has suffered its share of atrocities in the past. In 2006 a 15-year-old Catholic boy was beaten to death in an attack that started outside the local cinema, not all that far from where the latest riots erupted this week. The Harryville part of the town, where hundreds of people gathered this week, was the scene of loyalist protests for years against the presence of a Catholic church in a strongly Protestant area in the late 1990s. In December 1996, a 300-strong contingent of police in riot gear was needed to ensure local people were able to attend Mass, as an article for The Independent recorded at the time. And, of course, violence erupted over Drumcree, a long-running conflict about a Protestant Orange Order march in Portadown. After the incident in the Spar, my family stayed home for days, watching events unfold on the news, part of an unofficial night-time curfew that saw thousands of people lock themselves down decades before any of us had ever heard of Covid. On a separate summer I spent a mini-break in Brussels – won, bizarrely, as part of my school's quiz team – holed up in a hotel room with three fellow pupils, watching helplessly on CNN as riots erupted at home. When we landed back in Belfast International airport late at night, the violence had become so widespread we faced a difficult and potentially treacherous journey getting home. At one point we were stopped by police just as our car came face to face with an overturned and burnt out bus. That was in 1998, when the riots did not stop until the appalling murders of three young brothers in a loyalist arson attack in Ballymoney, about 20 miles from Ballymena. Hopefully it will not take a tragedy like that for the violence to end this time. More about Ballymena Northern Ireland Ian Paisley Belfast
