Latest news with #BallymenaRiots
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Larne Leisure Centre: Gordon Lyons refuses to stand down over social media post
A Stormont minister has rejected calls for him to resign over a social media post about the location of migrant families who left their homes hours before the centre was Minister Gordon Lyons said that people caught up in clashes in Ballymena were being temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre. It was later attacked by about a crowd of 100 people and set on minister was accused of being "reckless and dangerous" by Alliance assembly member Danny Donnelly who was in the leisure centre when a crowd of about 100 smashed windows and set bins on fire Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said Lyons should reflect on his comments, while the Green Party called for Lyons to resign. The attack on Larne Leisure Centre came during a third night of violence in Northern have been attacked with fireworks, bottles and bricks during the worst of the rioting was in Ballymena, but unrest also spread to other towns, including Larne, about 20 miles (30km) away, on Wednesday evening. The fire service said that fire damage to the centre had been "contained mainly to the front reception but there was extensive smoke damage".In a statement on Wednesday night, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the families placed at the centre had all been "safely relocated" and were no longer using the Lyons has been criticised for an earlier Facebook post in which he said he had been made aware that "a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre".Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said: "I thought it was incredibly reckless and dangerous to highlight the location of where these people were being kept and brought to a place of safety."The SDLP's Matthew O'Toole said he would refer Lyons to the standards commissioner over his comments, saying "lives are at stake". Lyons has defended his comments saying the information was in the public domain, and had been confirmed by the local council."I will very strongly hit back at any notion that I had revealed the use of this facility to the public when the protest was already planned, when everybody knew what was happening," Lyons told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster added that "the police had got in contact with our local councillors to say: 'We need to defuse the situation and let people know that this is or should no longer be the focus of any protest'." Green Party councillor Áine Groogan accused the minister of choosing to "stir division and deflect from his own failures"."This isn't leadership. It's cowardice. And it proves what many already know: Gordon Lyons is unfit for public office and should resign." The trouble began on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena, County the first two nights of disorder, 32 officers were injured and six people arrested. In Ballymena on Wednesday, smoke bombs, fireworks, bottles and bricks were thrown at police during a stand-off with a gathered crowd.A row of six police Land Rovers advanced on the crowd, with officers in full riot gear pushing a number of individuals also deployed dogs and a water on Wednesday it was confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas Scotland has agreed to send officers, after police in Northern Ireland requested extra support under mutual aid arrangements.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Riot police respond to second night of violence in Ballymena
Police came under attack as violent disorder erupted for a second night in a row in Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. Advertisement The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannons as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. In a statement, the PSNI said calm had been restored in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road and Bridge Street areas by around 1am on Wednesday. The force said there had also been 'sporadic disorder' in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well incidents in north Belfast. It came after similar violent disorder around Clonavon Terrace in the town on Monday night, following an earlier peaceful protest in the day which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. The UK prime minister's official spokesman described those events – which saw police and ethnic minorities targeted – as 'very concerning'. Advertisement Emergency services outside a house in Ballymena (Niall Carson/PA) A senior police officer condemned the disorder as 'racist thuggery'. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson issued a public appeal for information and said the PSNI was actively working to identify those responsible for the 'racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice'. He said the service would deploy significant resources to any further disorder during the week. Police in Ballymena (Niall Carson/PA) On Tuesday evening, riot police were deployed to residential streets around Clonavon Terrace on Tuesday as hundreds of people gathered in the area from approximately 7pm. Advertisement The PSNI formed barricades while officers wearing armour and shields also responded to the disorder. Some masked protesters shouted abuse and threw objects at the police, including fireworks, glass bottles and pieces of metal. The PSNI advised those present to disperse and warned that water cannon would be deployed against those participating in violent activity. Police fired plastic baton rounds at some of those gathered and also used water cannons to disperse the crowd. Advertisement Many young children were present among those gathered near police lines. A vehicle on fire near Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena (Niall Carson/PA) As rioters were dispersed into other parts of the town as the evening progressed into night, a property on Bridge Street and a home on Queen Street were set on fire. Other properties had windows smashed as some residents chose to display signs about the nationalities of those normally resident, including one saying 'British household' and another with 'Filipino lives here'. Multiple cars were also set on fire as part of blazes set by rioters, including near a car wash and tyre centre off Bridge Street and on Larne Street. Advertisement The clothing of at least one participant caught fire during the disorder. The PSNI cleared streets and allowed gaps in its barricades for firefighters to tackle fires in the town as chaotic scenes continued past midnight. Officers also used a drone as part of the response to illegal activity, which saw some rioters kick in doors and ransack homes. The Northern Ireland Secretary has said there is 'no justification' for attacks on police officers or vandalism. The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland. There is absolutely no justification for attacks on PSNI officers or for vandalism directed at people's homes or property. — Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) June 10, 2025 In a social media post, Hilary Benn said: 'The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland. 'There is absolutely no justification for attacks on PSNI officers or for vandalism directed at people's homes or property.' During Monday's disorder, 15 police officers were injured and several PSNI vehicles were damaged. In Clonavon Terrace, several houses had their windows smashed and two which suffered significant smoke damage remained sealed off on Tuesday. A 29-year-old man was charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested on Monday night. Police officers using a water cannon near Clonavon Terrace (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage. The earlier peaceful protest formed in support of the family of the girl. 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. On Tuesday, the PSNI said it had made a third arrest in connection with the incident and reiterated a public appeal for information. Detective Inspector Olphert from the PSNI's public protection branch said: 'A 28-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening, Monday June 9. 'He has been unconditionally released from police custody following questioning.' At a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Henderson said the attacks should be 'loudly condemned by all right-thinking people'. 'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced,' he said at a press conference at Ballymena police station earlier on Tuesday. He said members of the minority ethnic community 'felt fear' and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. Mr Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder. The UK prime minister's official spokesman said: 'The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. 'Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. 'PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Rioters yelling 'paedo protectors' torch houses and injure cops with petrol bombs during anti-immigration protests after arrest of two 'Romanian' teens over attempted rape of girl
A number of houses have been torched during an anti-immigration protest in Ballymena after two teenagers of Romanian descent appeared in court accused of attempting to rape a local girl. Social media footage showed homes in Co Antrim on fire after a masked mob lit curtains after windows and doors of terraced properties in the town were caved in. Four houses were destroyed after 2,500 people gathered in the Harryville area of Ballymena yesterday evening. Two more properties were also damaged and 15 police officers hospitalised in the Ballymena riots. Locals had marched through the area claiming they were there in a show of support to the family of the local girl who was allegedly sexually abused by two teenagers who needed a Romanian interpreter in court yesterday. Some peaceful protesters carried placards saying they were there to 'protect' their own children. But rioting then broke out. Barricades were erected and fires lit. Some masked youths yelled 'paedo-protectors' as the emergency services arrived to battle blazes they had started. Houses were attacked and a boat was even overturned in the street. A 29-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police. He remains in police custody today. The protest was organised hours after two 14-year-old boys had appeared in court over the serious sexual assault on a teenage girl from the town. The suspects confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter at Coleraine Magistrates' Court on Monday morning. Their lawyer indicated they would plead not guilty. Social media footage showed a fire raging inside one house. Masked youths were seen smashing windows and setting curtains alight The two 14-year-old boys are charged with attempted oral rape and both deny the charges. A huge crowd had gathered in a local park before moving towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena yesterday. But rioting broke out and masked youths were seen kicking in doors and setting fires in four houses, with these blazes spreading to neighbouring properties. Firefighters in breathing apparatus were going door-to-door to check if anyone was trapped inside before battling fires through the night. The teenagers accused of attempted rape appeared in court yesterday via videolink from Woodlands Juvenile Centre. They sat side-by-side wearing grey tracksuits. There was no application for bail - but their solicitor said both teenagers deny the charge. They were remanded in custody and will appear again at Ballymena Magistrates' Court on July 2. After the hearing, protesters said to be in their thousands gathered in the area where the alleged attack took place. Missiles including masonry and petrol bombs as well as paint were hurled at police lines, according to local reports, while nearby properties were also vandalised by masked youths who were accused of setting fires. A police car also had its windows smashed. Another vehicle was torched. Amid concerns about more trouble tonight, police are calling for calm. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: 'The shocking scenes of disorder on the streets of Ballymena have to be condemned in the strongest terms. 'This is not the way. People have been injured and public property damaged. We are engaging with groups that have been affected by this disorder and we are gathering evidence, CCTV and other footage to progress criminal investigations. 'I want to put on record my appreciation and gratitude to our officers who were determined to restore order to the town in the most challenging of circumstances with bricks, furniture and petrol bombs all thrown in their direction. They worked fearlessly to try to bring calm to the most volatile of situations. I'm also grateful to our partners in the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service and Northern Ireland Ambulance Service for their support through-out. 'I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's rioting and disorder to think long and hard about their actions. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk. Our priority is to keep the community safe and we need everyone to work with us, we want better for Ballymena and Northern Ireland. 'Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact police on 101.'
