Riot which left 15 injured was ‘racially motivated hate attack', cops say – as homes set alight & families trapped
FAMILIES were trapped in their homes and 15 cops injured after riots erupted in Northern Ireland last night.
Scene of chaos and violence marred the streets of Ballymena led by rioters furious over the sexual assault of a teenage girl.
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Violent riots broke out in Ballymena on Monday after two teenagers appeared in court, charged with attempted rape
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Locals lit barricades and homes on fire during the violent disorder
Credit: Pacemaker
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Firefighters responded to the burning debris on the road and inspected a nearby house which had filled with smoke
Credit: Pacemaker
Fires raged in the streets after barricades were put up by hordes of hooligans in County Antrim.
Three children had to "barricade themselves into their attic" as violence erupted outside, Alliance assembly member Sian Mulholland revealed today.
Shocking footage shows homes torched in the town of Ballymena - while petrol bombs were lobbed at police while crowds cheered.
Police today described the riots as "racially-motivated hate attacks".
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The carnage erupted hours after two 14-year-old boys appeared in court charged with attempted rape.
The boys confirmed their names - which cannot be reported - and their ages through a Romanian interpreter at Coleraine Magistrates' Court on Monday morning, the BBC reports.
Why the two 14-year-old boys charged with attempted rape can't be named
The two teenagers charged with attempted rape appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' Court yesterday.
The defendants cannot be named due to their ages.
Article 22(2) of the 1998 Order restricts press and media reporting of proceedings in youth courts.
It states that, where a child is concerned in any criminal proceedings in a youth court or on appeal from a youth court, no report revealing the name, address or school of any child, including anything likely to lead to the identification of the child, shall be published.
Press and media are also restricted from publishing a picture of any child concerned, except where the court or the Department of Justice, if satisfied that it is in the interests of justice to do so, makes an order dispensing with these prohibitions.
Local MP Jim Allister has said the tensions which erupted into the violent scenes had been building for some time.
The North Antrim representative explained pressure had been growing over immigration, adding that the violence followed a peaceful protest.
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The large group of protesters had gathered close to where the alleged sexual assault had taken place, with people initially coming to together to support the family of the girl.
However, demonstrations then turned violent yesterday, following the court appearance, with locals burning plastic road barriers and bins as part of a barricade on the street.
TUV leader Mr Allister continued: "Within Ballymena, there has been rising concerns about the sheer scale of migration into the town and that would have been a factor in the wholly peaceful protest.
"All that to be distinguished from the wanton violence which then followed, with obviously a minority of that peaceful crowd wanting to take advantage of that to visit violence which wasn't wanted or warranted, hence the scenes that we saw.
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"It is very distressing to see scenes of violence on the streets of Ballymena."
CCTV shows moment of car bomb explosion in Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Speaking on how the violence unfolded, Mr Allister explained how tensions had been building in the town "for a considerable period of time".
He said: "It is easier to start than to stop these things. There has been a bit of authorities not wanting to face up to the racial background of some of this over the years.
"That unchecked migration which is beyond what the town can cope with, is a source of past and future tensions; that is the reality of it.
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"Those who came onto the street last night in the main had a perfectly legitimate purpose and cause of being there."
Mr Allister said he had spoken to the family of the girl who was the victim of the alleged sexual assault, adding that they did not want to see violent scenes.
However, he added that it was "sad" that the "narrative had been diverted" by the violence.
The MP continued: "My message is the violence should stop.
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"The concerns are there, I am certainly aware of them, I hear them and there needs now to be a period of calm and justice needs to take its course."
Horrific violent scenes saw masked yobs throw missiles including cans of paint and glass bottles at PSNI vehicles.
A number of houses were also attacked by the masked youths who could be seen kicking in doors and throwing missiles at windows.
It's understood that at least two houses were set alight, with flames from these homes spreading to other properties.
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A line of police vehicles advanced towards the protesters followed by armoured officers on foot and a drone overhead.
Firefighters later responded to the burning debris on the road and inspected a nearby house which had filled with smoke.
Many donned breathing apparatus as they forced their way into homes amid fears people could be trapped inside.
Other footage appeared to show some protesters targeting houses by smashing windows.
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The barricade built and then burnt in the middle of the street by the rioters has since been extinguished by fire crews.
Police had blocked off the street with Land Rovers, which were later targeted with paint and masonry by protesters.
One patrol car also appeared to have a broken window after an object was hurled at it.
Amidst the carnage, a boat could also be seen overturned in the street.
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Justice Minister Naomi Long has said there can be "no justification" for such "appalling" scenes.
She said: "I am absolutely appalled by the disturbing scenes in Ballymena yesterday evening during which PSNI officers were injured, residents terrorised, and properties damaged.
"There is absolutely no place in our society for such disorder and there can be no justification for it.
"I would appeal to those involved to seriously consider their actions and step back from this behaviour before someone is seriously injured or worse.
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"Attacking homes and police officers serves no purpose other than to damage communities and raise tensions.
"Those involved will be pursued and held accountable for their actions.
"I have conveyed to the PSNI my best wishes to the injured officers for a speedy recovery.
"I am also calling on community and political leaders and all those with influence to condemn this violence and work with the police and community to quell any further disorder or violence."
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'WE ARE URGING EVERYONE TO REMAIN CALM'
In a statement, the PSNI said: 'A number of missiles have been thrown towards police with damage reported to a number of properties.
'Officers are advising motorists and pedestrians to avoid the Clonavon Road area until further notice.'
The statement added: 'Officers are in attendance to ensure the safety of everyone involved. They will remain in the area tonight to continue to monitor the situation.'
Chief Superintendent Sue Steen appealed for an end to the violence.
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She said: 'We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk.
'Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.'
Motorists and pedestrians have been asked to avoid the area until further notice.
The riots came just hours after the two 14-year-old boys appeared in Coleraine Magistrates' Court charged with the attempted rape of a teenage girl, the Belfast Telegraph reported.
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Scenes yesterday in Ballymena echoed the violent disorder which broke out last summer, following the Southport killings.
After Axel Rudakubana murdered three young girls in the Merseyside town, riots erupted nationwide.
Misinformation on social media that claimed Rudakubana was an illegal migrant led to chaos in the streets of towns across the UK, with cars torched, shops broken into, and police attacked.
Following the Ballymena violence yesterday, the PSNI has asked anyone with information to contact them on 101 or make a report online here.
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Alternatively, information can be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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