2 days ago
Masked yobs set fire to NI leisure centre ‘used to house locals fleeing riots' as protests hit Ballyrema for 3rd night
MASKED rioters have set fire to a leisure centre reportedly housing evacuated residents in a third day of disorder across Northern Ireland.
Hundreds of protesters have gathered across the region tonight yet again as cops gear up for another night of violence.
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Social media footage shows masked individuals smashing windows at a leisure centre in Co Antrim and setting fires outside tonight.
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."
Posts on social media claimed the leisure centre was housing those who were forced to flee their homes that were smashed and set on fire by yobs.
Reports say no one is currently inside the burning building.
The initial demonstrations ignited in Ballymena, with the PSNI saying it is 'not clear' if violence is being coordinated in the town.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said today: "At this point it's not clear to us or through intelligence or what we're hearing if there's paramilitary coordination to it."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the 'mindless attacks' that led to seven people being arrested and 33 cops injured over two nights of carnage.
Violence originally erupted on Monday, stemming from an initially peaceful gathering to support a girl and her family after a sexual assault.
But within hours of a court appearance of two 14-year-old boys charged with attempted rape, disorder broke out in Co Antrim.
A third man, 28, was also arrested over the alleged sexual assault.
Families in the town of Ballymena have been forced to flee their homes as the riots - slammed as "racist thuggery" by cops - continue.
Crowds set fire to piles of furniture in the middle of the streets, homes were set alight, and multiple cars went up in flames.
Harrowing photos from the last two nights show the charred remains of residents' property.
Footage showed masked and hooded rioters lobbing petrol bombs, fireworks and bricks at cops trying to calm the unrest yesterday.
Officers fired baton rounds and water cannon in a desperate bid to keep the mobs at bay.
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On Monday night, 15 officers were injured and seventeen were hurt last night.
Yesterday, wheelie bins and sofas were among the objects being dragged out onto the streets, with piles of furniture being set on fire.
A child's bike was reportedly thrown over the heads of the crowd.
A family including three children revealed they had to hide in their attic on Monday night after thugs broke into their home.
Swarms of cops were filmed chasing people while equipped with riot shields.
Firefighters were spotted clambering into a house after rioters tried and failed to set it on fire.
In a statement, the The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said calm had been restored around 1am on Wednesday.
Some terrified residents said they are preparing to move away with their children for fear of what may unfold next.
On Tuesday, many residents placed posters in their windows identifying themselves as British to avoid being targeted. Union Jack flags were also prominently displayed.
A hand-written note in one window read: "British residents."
A 29-year-old man was arrested on Monday and has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police.
Six others were arrested last night. The PSNI said: "At this time, all incidents are being treated as racially-motivated hate crimes.
"We absolutely condemn these disgraceful attacks on our minority ethnic friends and neighbours.
"Those responsible are endangering not only the lives of those inside the properties, but putting themselves at risk of injury."
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