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Irish Times
11 hours ago
- Irish Times
Ballymena: Week of violent attacks on Northern Ireland's small immigrant community ‘akin to 1930s Germany'
When children were evacuated from a swimming lesson at a Co Antrim leisure centre this week, they walked out to find masked men banging on the windows. The youngest fleeing the Larne complex – which had provided temporary shelter to displaced immigrants – was six-years-old. 'The fear those kids experienced going out to their families has left them traumatised,' said Danielle Hill, swim coach and Irish Olympian, who escorted the children to safety before the building was set on fire on Wednesday evening. Forty-eight hours earlier, in a terraced house 30 kilometres away in Ballymena , a mother hid her babies in the attic as rioters kicked in their door and set fire to curtains. Older children hid in wardrobes. READ MORE Outside, police were attacked with hatchets and petrol bombs by a rampaging mob. In a week that has seen violent disorder erupt across Northern Ireland , 14 migrant families have been forced to seek emergency accommodation after being burnt out of their homes. Dozens received assistance from the Housing Executive. 'Bigots and racists' were blamed by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Jon Boutcher for four consecutive nights of unrest. The disorder began in Ballymena on Monday evening following a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault . Two teenage boys appeared in court earlier that day charged with the attempted rape of a girl in the Co Antrim town. The 14-year-olds confirmed their names through a Romanian interpreter. They deny the offences. Clonavon Terrace, a street close to the town centre that faces on to the rear of Ballymena police station, resembled a war zone by Tuesday morning. It is absolutely ridiculous that in 2025 people are having to identify themselves with signs on their door — Philip McGuigan Six homes were set alight and many others were vandalised the previous evening. By teatime on Tuesday, Windows that were not boarded up along the row of former mill houses were instead filled with Union Jack flags , British royal family memorabilia, and red, white and blue bunting. Cornelia Amarei from Romania said it was the first time in her seven years living in the street that she put a Union flag in her home. 'We were told it would protect us from any more attacks,' she told The Irish Times. They were trying to keep her eight-year-old grandson, who is autistic, safe. 'He needs routine so we can't move from here. We put his earphones on him at a room at the back of the house,' said Ms Amarei, who works at a manufacturing company in the town. Pre-printed black and white signs stating 'Locals Live Here' were stuck on front doors throughout the town by Wednesday evening . Social media was awash with disinformation about immigration figures and the impact on public services. One Facebook group, with more than 5,000 followers, urged people to share addresses of 'locals' they wanted to protect – and of those they wanted to target. 'It is akin to something from 1930s Germany,' said North Antrim Sinn Féin MLA, Philip McGuigan. 'It is absolutely ridiculous that in 2025 people are having to identify themselves with signs on their door.' Mr McGuigan says lies from some political parties are 'feeding into an anti-immigration sentiment' and playing on people's fears. His comments follow remarks made by the MP for the area, Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV), in the aftermath of the attacks. Mr Allister condemned the violence but told the BBC that underlying tensions in Ballymena had been 'there for a long time' because there was 'an oversubscription of migrants who had been placed there'. When asked what evidence he was drawing on, Mr Allister said he had canvassed a street with 50 houses and came 'upon five local, if I can call them that, residents of Ballymena'. His statistics 'don't stack up', argues Mr McGuigan, pointing to Stormont Assembly research showing that Northern Ireland is the 'least diverse part of the UK'. Just 3.5 per cent (65,600 people) of the population are from a minority ethnic group. That compares to 18.3 per cent in England and Wales, and 12.9 per cent in Scotland, according to the Assembly report on migration. Police Scotland was asked on Tuesday and it still hasn't arrived — Jon Burrows In Ballymena, there are no registered asylum seekers in the entire Mid and East Antrim local government area, which takes in Ballymena and Larne. Of Ballymena's 24,295 population, 94 per cent of people are white, while just 6 per cent belong to other ethnic groups, according to the last census. 'Bottom line, these are not big figures,' says Mr McGuigan. 'Yes, there is a foreign national population in Ballymena, but it is there for a reason in that local industry and local businesses need people coming in to work. 'Brexit had an impact here in that businesses struggled to find workers.' To date, 63 PSNI officers have been injured in the disturbances after coming under 'sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks'. As of Friday afternoon, there have been 17 arrests, with three teenagers – the youngest aged 15 – refused bail and remanded in custody for riot-related offences. Of the 17 people arrested, 13 face criminal charges. Violent protests moved to Portadown in Co Armagh on Thursday, on a night when there was relative calm in Ballymena amid heavy rainfall. Police Scotland has agreed to deploy extra resources to the PSNI as part of a mutual aid arrangement. 'What the PSNI are struggling with now is any kind of spontaneity – they just don't have the resources available,' says Jon Burrows, a retired senior PSNI officer. He believes the policing arrangement only works for big pre-planned events such as the G8 summit. 'Police Scotland was asked on Tuesday and it still hasn't arrived. It could be next week – in which case the horse has already bolted,' he said. Photographic images of suspects should be released by the PSNI more quickly – ideally within 48 hours – to show that 'actions have consequences', according to Mr Burrows. I have been flooded with messages for speaking up against the racist violence — Danielle Hill The use of social media to mobilise rioters and spread disinformation should also be challenged on platforms like TikTok – as opposed to 'the PSNI website and newspapers'. Danielle Hill is determined to resume coaching at Larne Swimming Club and last night met the families of children affected by the disorder. The Olympian, who represented Ireland at the Tokyo and Paris games and took gold at the European Championships last year, has been overwhelmed by the support she has received since condemning the violence. 'As someone who swims for Ireland, who lives in a street flagged with British flags for the Twelfth [of July celebrations], I come to Larne dressed in my Olympic kit that says Ireland on my back and I've always been accepted,' she said. 'I have been flooded with messages for speaking up against the racist violence – which had nothing to do about the protection of women and girls – instead of being a bystander.' Some of the children she coaches are from ethnic minority backgrounds. One child is 'probably going to be our next [big] thing,' she adds. 'Our main mission is getting back to normal for the children's sake and rewriting the script to ensure the leisure centre is full of great memories for them. 'I met the families to help everyone come together and let them know they are not alone in this. For now, we will await our return to the pool.'
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Larne violence: ‘I thought Northern Ireland was past this, beyond balaclavas'
On a leafy avenue overlooking Larne promenade on Wednesday night, groups of masked men made their way to the Co Antrim town's leisure centre. Residents living in large detached houses on Tower Road watched on in horror as the centre – which had provided emergency shelter to migrant families burnt out of their homes 32km away in Ballymena – was set on fire . 'They were coming up the road handing out balaclavas to each other, they were well organised. I've been living in this area for 50 years and never seen anything like it… it's appalling,' said one woman walking along the promenade on Thursday. Inside the centre, children as young as six were getting changed for their weekly swimming lesson and a yoga session was under way as protesters began banging on windows. READ MORE It marked the third night of violent disorder in Northern Ireland following an alleged sexual assault of a girl in Ballymena at the weekend. 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. Larne Leisure Centre was set on fire on Wednesday evening Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Jon Boutcher described the unrest as 'absolutely race-motivated'. As of Thursday evening, 41 officers had been injured and 15 people had been arrested. Standing outside a police cordon at Larne Leisure Centre on Thursday afternoon, swim coach Danielle Hill became emotional as she recalled the moment she saw four masked men appear when she went to move her car the previous evening. [ Three teenagers charged with riot in Ballymena while leisure centre set alight in Larne in third night of violence Opens in new window ] Hill (25) is a double Olympian from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim – she represented Ireland at the Tokyo and Paris summer games – and was waiting to take a group of children into the 25m pool at 7pm. At 7.22pm she received a phone call, warning her that trouble had flared following an earlier peaceful protest outside the centre attended by about 50 people. 'Hundreds had gathered by the time I went to move my car. Four men wearing balaclavas came around the corner. I have never experienced anything like that. When I saw them I paused. It was very scary,' she said. Larne leisure centre swim coach, Olympian Danielle Hill, became emotional as she recalled the moment she saw four masked men appear when she went to move her car outside the centre on Wednesday evening. Photograph: Seanín Graham 'My first thought was to get back inside to inform everybody. They had no idea what was going on, I was the eyes and ears outside. My first port of call was the children – there was about 30 to 40 kids inside.' Hill has not slept in 24 hours and appealed for calm. 'I thought Northern Ireland was past this; I thought we were beyond balaclavas. I thought we were beyond the violence. Kids shouldn't have to grow up in that. Last night was so unnecessary, it didn't achieve anything,' she said. 'This stemmed from an alleged sexual attack on a young girl, but last night has nothing to do with sexual violence. What unfolded was racism in its rawest and most dangerous form.' Earlier on Thursday, a political row erupted over comments by Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on social media hours before the attack in Larne, in which he posted the location of the centre – where migrants had stayed earlier in the week after fleeing their homes. First Minister Michelle O'Neill called for his resignation, accusing him of 'failing to show correct leadership', but Mr Lyons defended his position and said he had no intention of resigning. Extra police resources are being deployed to the North from Police Scotland to deal with the disturbances. First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaks to media in Belfast on Thursday following three nights of violence and public disorder in the town of Ballymena. Photograph: Rebecca Black/PA Wire During a PSNI press conference on Thursday, Mr Boutcher admitted the service 'did not have the resources' to deal with spontaneous violence on Monday but was equipped to deal with the disorder that followed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Asked about the arson attack in Larne, the chief constable said the responsibility for injured officers and damaged buildings falls on 'the people committing these crimes' rather than the PSNI. In late afternoon, an 80-year-old pensioner on the Larne promenade said she hoped the violence would end. 'Goodness knows, we had plenty of trouble years ago,' she said, 'we don't need that back again'.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Larne violence: ‘I thought Northern Ireland was past this; I thought we were beyond balaclavas'
On a leafy avenue overlooking Larne promenade on Wednesday night, groups of masked men made their way to the Co Antrim town's leisure centre. Residents living in large detached houses on Tower Road watched on in horror as the centre – which had provided emergency shelter to migrant families burnt out of their homes 32km away in Ballymena – was set on fire . 'They were coming up the road handing out balaclavas to each other, they were well organised. I've been living in this area for 50 years and never seen anything like it… it's appalling,' said one woman walking along the promenade on Thursday. Inside the centre, children as young as six were getting changed for their weekly swimming lesson and a yoga session was under way as protesters began banging on windows. READ MORE It marked the third night of violent disorder in Northern Ireland following an alleged sexual assault of a girl in Ballymena at the weekend. 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. Larne Leisure Centre was set on fire on Wednesday evening Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Jon Boutcher described the unrest as 'absolutely race-motivated'. As of Thursday evening, 41 officers had been injured and 15 people had been arrested. Standing outside a police cordon at Larne Leisure Centre on Thursday afternoon, swim coach Danielle Hill became emotional as she recalled the moment she saw four masked men appear when she went to move her car the previous evening. [ Three teenagers charged with riot in Ballymena while leisure centre set alight in Larne in third night of violence Opens in new window ] Hill (25) is a double Olympian from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim – she represented Ireland at the Tokyo and Paris summer games – and was waiting to take a group of children into the 25m pool at 7pm. At 7.22pm she received a phone call, warning her that trouble had flared following an earlier peaceful protest outside the centre attended by about 50 people. 'Hundreds had gathered by the time I went to move my car. Four men wearing balaclavas came around the corner. I have never experienced anything like that. When I saw them I paused. It was very scary,' she said. Larne leisure centre swim coach, Olympian Danielle Hill, became emotional as she recalled the moment she saw four masked men appear when she went to move her car outside the centre on Wednesday evening. Photograph: Seanín Graham 'My first thought was to get back inside to inform everybody. They had no idea what was going on, I was the eyes and ears outside. My first port of call was the children – there was about 30 to 40 kids inside.' Hill has not slept in 24 hours and appealed for calm. 'I thought Northern Ireland was past this; I thought we were beyond balaclavas. I thought we were beyond the violence. Kids shouldn't have to grow up in that. Last night was so unnecessary, it didn't achieve anything,' she said. 'This stemmed from an alleged sexual attack on a young girl, but last night has nothing to do with sexual violence. What unfolded was racism in its rawest and most dangerous form.' Earlier on Thursday, a political row erupted over comments by Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on social media hours before the attack in Larne, in which he posted the location of the centre – where migrants had stayed earlier in the week after fleeing their homes. First Minister Michelle O'Neill called for his resignation, accusing him of 'failing to show correct leadership', but Mr Lyons defended his position and said he had no intention of resigning. Extra police resources are being deployed to the North from Police Scotland to deal with the disturbances. First Minister Michelle O'Neill speaks to media in Belfast on Thursday following three nights of violence and public disorder in the town of Ballymena. Photograph: Rebecca Black/PA Wire During a PSNI press conference on Thursday, Mr Boutcher admitted the service 'did not have the resources' to deal with spontaneous violence on Monday but was equipped to deal with the disorder that followed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Asked about the arson attack in Larne, the chief constable said the responsibility for injured officers and damaged buildings falls on 'the people committing these crimes' rather than the PSNI. In late afternoon, an 80-year-old pensioner on the Larne promenade said she hoped the violence would end. 'Goodness knows, we had plenty of trouble years ago,' she said, 'we don't need that back again'.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Families hid in attics during 'race motivated' disorder, says chief constable
Families hid in attics and wardrobes during violent disorder in Ballymena, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable has comes following three days of violence in Ballymena, and some other towns, in which 41 officers were injured and 13 people disorder began on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim Boutcher described the disorder as "wanton, disgraceful, criminal behaviour that is absolutely race motivated". Mr Boutcher said after a peaceful protest was "hijacked" on Monday evening, police and the fire service had to help families "who have done nothing wrong".He added that: "We stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with the diverse communities in Northern Ireland. "These bigots and racists will not win the day."The first protest was organised hours after two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages. Their solicitor said they would be denying the Boutcher said the family of the young girl wanted the violence to stop."She's been further traumatised by what has happened over the last three nights," he said. The worst of the disorder took place in Ballymena, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace have described the disorder as "racist thuggery, pure and simple" and targeted at ethnic minorities and law the three days in Ballymena, police officers came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their Boutcher called on those involved to stop and warned that there will be prosecutions. "Don't come out onto the streets tonight. If you do we will police you, and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system.""We'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them." On Wednesday, the PSNI 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 deployment will involve an undisclosed number of public order officers trained to police civil Larne, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire on Wednesday. The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier in the week, the council have also been incidents in Larne, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, north Belfast and Newtownabbey. Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill, who competed in both the Paris and Tokyo Games, has condemned the attack on Larne Leisure Hill, who swims for team Ireland, was at the facility when the attacks took place. She said: "I went to move my car, and four masked men walked around the corner, and I thought, okay, this is time to go."The 25-year-old said: "This isn't what we want. There are kids involved. And it's my duty to care and protect those guys so I made the decision then to cancel my session."As I went back inside to clear my stuff and clear all the kids and make sure they were picked up, I came back outside and there were people in balaclavas standing around the corner. "I got a phone call from a family friend to say that if I hadn't already, I should leave. I instantly rang our duty manager and spoke to a child protection officer inside and told them to evacuate." Ms Hill said: "I mean, it's sad. It's awful. I lay awake last night. When there's kids involved it's upsetting. It shouldn't be happening. There was no need for the violence."As a club, we're deeply saddened that It got to that stage and that those kids had the witness what they did."We can only hope that one day they will come back and that this isn't a place of fear for them and that it is that safe place where they can go and be kids."In a statement, a council spokesperson said they're "assessing the significant damage" and that "the centre remains closed". A housing association has warned its residents to leave their homes and take measures to protect their properties ahead of a planned protest in County Housing in Portadown sent a letter to its residents stating Thursday's demonstration in the town is "directed towards migrants, foreign nationals, and what are perceived as deviant behaviour".The letter added that the demonstration could lead to an "unsafe situation" and advised them to "stay with family or friends during the protest".The police have said they are aware of social media posts calling for protests across Northern Ireland on Thursday evening and in the week Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: "We urge anyone who plans to attend these protests to engage with us as we will be doing our part to ensure the safety of participants and to facilitate the lawful exercise of freedom of expression."Police will not tolerate a repeat of the scenes we saw last night in Ballymena and other parts of Northern Ireland," he added. "We will continue to diligently monitor the situation."
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Police chief to give update after third night of disorder in Northern Ireland
Update: Date: 15:47 BST Title: Olympic swimmer told people to evacuate Larne Leisure Centre Content: Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill, who trains at Larne Leisure Centre, described the attack as not just violence, but "racism in its rawest and most dangerous form". Hill, who takes a weekly group swimming session, arrived at the centre at 19:00 BST yesterday. "This is our club night, so one of the busiest nights of the week," she told BBC News NI. After cancelling her session, when she saw masked men approaching the centre, Hill told people to evacuate. "I lay awake last night, when there is kids involved it's upsetting and it shouldn't be happening," she said. She hopes that the children who were present will not be afraid to come back to the leisure centre. Hill represented Ireland at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics. Update: Date: 15:37 BST Title: Trouble feels more organised - reporter tells State of Us podcast Content: This video can not be played Lyndsey Telford describes being on the ground during violence disorder in Ballymena What is happening in Ballymena? On an extra episode of BBC News NI's The State of Us podcast, Tara and Declan speak to reporter Lyndsey Telford who has been on the ground during the violence and disorder in Northern Ireland. Listen to The State of Us by clicking here. Update: Date: 15:33 BST Title: What happened in Larne last night? Content: This video can not be played Leisure centre was set on fire in third night of violence in Northern Ireland The worst of last night's disorder was in Ballymena, but unrest also spread to other towns. In Larne, about 20 miles (30km) from Ballymena, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire. The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier this week. Police left the area after masked young people threw objects at vehicles, but later officers in riot gear returned to the scene. A crowd of about 50 people watched a dozen or so individuals target the centre. Fire damage was contained mainly to the front reception but there was extensive smoke damage, the fire service said. In a statement, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the families placed at the centre had all been "safely relocated" and were no longer using the centre. Update: Date: 15:23 BST Title: Rioters will be 'dealt with robustly' says judge Content: Earlier today, a judge warned that anyone involving themselves in the ongoing 'despicable' rioting 'will be dealt with robustly". Speaking as he remanded four teenagers into custody, District Judge Nigel Broderick said that 'where there is credible and reliable evidence' against anyone arrested in the ongoing disorder, 'there is a high likelihood they will be refused bail and if convicted, they will face lengthy sentence.' The judge issued the warning at Ballymena Magistrates Court where the teenagers appeared in the dock charged with riot. Update: Date: 15:12 BST Title: Three nights of violence - timeline recap Content: 9 June: Two teenage boys appear in court charged with an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Ballymena. They spoke through a Romanian interpreter to confirm their names and ages - their solicitor said they would be denying the charges. 9 June evening: Hundreds held a peaceful protest related to the court case but violence later broke out when people threw petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks at police, and damaged properties. Police called it "racist thuggery", targeting ethnic minorities and law enforcement. 10 June: During a second night of riots, police fired baton rounds and used a water cannon to disperse protesters in Ballymena as cars were set on fire and windows of several houses were smashed. Police also dealt with incidents in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus in County Antrim and north Belfast - 32 officers were injured and six people arrested over the two nights. 11 June: Violence spread to other towns like Larne - about 20 miles (30km) from Ballymena - where masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire. The town was providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes in Ballymena. Update: Date: 15:02 BST Title: Filipino woman flies Union Jack flag from window to avoid attacks Content: Yelena, who is Filipino and moved to Ballymena last year, tells the BBC: 'To feel safe I put a Union Jack flag outside my window, since then the building hasn't been attacked.' She says she had considered putting up a Filipino flag but her local friends told her she might still be attacked. She didn't expect trouble to start where she lives, but it escalated from a small gathering to setting bonfires, throwing petrol bombs, and throwing stones, bricks and glass bottles at her windows. 'I'm doing OK but still a bit traumatised,' she says. 'I don't want to leave Ballymena, I just want everyone to be educated on migrants - not all those here are illegal. 'I want to go back to work and have peaceful nights.' Update: Date: 14:51 BST Title: Why are the riots in Northern Ireland happening? Content: Police aim a water cannon at demonstrators as riots continued in Ballymena on Wednesday The violence in parts of Northern Ireland is described as being racially-motivated by officials, with police calling it "racist thuggery targeted at ethnic minorities and police officers". It started on Monday 9 June, after two 14-year-old boys appeared in court after an alleged serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in Ballymena, County Antrim, on Saturday 7 June. The teenagers, who confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter, are charged with attempted oral rape, which they deny. That evening, a peaceful protest was held when hundreds marched close to the town centre, before things turned violent and youths with their faces covered attacked police and a number of houses. The first two nights of violence saw 32 police officers injured after being attacked with fireworks, bottles and bricks, and six arrested. Videos on social media have shown houses being attacked with families still inside - signs outlining residents' nationalities have been put up on some doors. Violence spread to the nearby town of Larne - when masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire - which had been sheltering families caught up in the disorder earlier in the week. Update: Date: 14:44 BST Title: Police to give update after three nights of Northern Ireland riots Content: Welcome to our live coverage. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will shortly give an update after a third night of violence in parts of Northern Ireland. The riots started on Monday, after a planned peaceful protest in response to an alleged serious sexual assault in Ballymena, in County Antrim on Saturday evening. On Monday, two teenage boys appeared in court and confirmed their names and ages through a Romanian interpreter. The two 14-year-olds denied the charges against them. Since then, violence has spread to other towns, 32 police officers have been injured and authorities have struggled to keep the peace. You can follow the police press conference at 15:30 BST by pressing watch live at the top of this page, and we'll bring you text updates here.
