Latest news with #LarneLeisureCentre
Irish Times
17 hours 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
21 hours 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
a day 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.
BreakingNews.ie
a day ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Lyons should consider his position over social media post – Michelle O'Neill
Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, has said Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons should resign over a social media post sent hours before an attack on Larne Leisure Centre. Mr Lyons has faced criticism over a social media post about the location of migrant families who fled their homes. Advertisement 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. Masked youths attacked the leisure centre on Wednesday night and set it on fire. Firefighters at the scene at Larne Leisure Centre (Liam McBurney/PA) Prior to the fire, Mr Lyons posted on social media that the building had been used to accommodate several people following riotous behaviour in the town of Ballymena, which is 30 minutes away. Police said that ethnic minorities have been targeted in the violence, which they have described as 'racist thuggery'. Advertisement Mr Lyons' 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: 'He has 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.' Advertisement Asked if she was stating he should resign, she said: 'Yes, I believe he should consider his position.' 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.' Mr Lyons was asked by the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme if he should still be in his job, and he replied: 'Absolutely.' Advertisement He said: 'Let me set out the facts because it is clear that some don't know them. 'The leisure centre was used to temporarily house those who had been affected by the violence in Ballymena. 'This had been confirmed yesterday publicly. It was in the public domain, it was on a news website, and it had been confirmed by the council. 'My message was posted because rumours had been circulating that the leisure centre was to be turned into a permanent centre, the messages flying about that caravans were being brought into the car park there. Advertisement 'A protest had already been planned at 7pm last evening. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he would not resign (Liam McBurney/PA) '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. 'I will very strongly hit back at any notion that I have revealed the use of this facility to the public when the protest was already planned, when everybody knew what was happening.' 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.' 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 there had been a 'huge attack' in Larne. He added: 'If I was the minister, I would be considering my position. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the minister's comments were not helpful (Ben Whitley/PA) 'I think he should seriously consider his 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. 'The result we have had, the town has been attacked by a racist mob.' Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said Mr Lyons' post was 'reckless and inflammatory'. He added: '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 disturbances in nearby Ballymena, but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere. Police and firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control on Wednesday night. 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
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Lyons insists he will not resign following criticism of social media post
Northern Ireland's Communities Minister has insisted he will not resign following criticism of a social media post sent hours before an attack on Larne Leisure Centre. Gordon Lyons 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. Masked youths attacked the leisure centre on Wednesday night and set it on fire. Prior to the fire, Mr Lyons posted on social media that the building had been used to accommodate several people following riotous behaviour in the town of Ballymena, which is 30 minutes away. Police said that ethnic minorities have been targeted in the violence which they have described as 'racist thuggery'. Mr Lyons' 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.' Some politicians have said Mr Lyons should be considering his position and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said it was not helpful to publicise where people had been moved. Mr Benn said he felt Mr Lyons 'might want to reflect on what he said'. Mr Lyons was asked by the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme if he should still be in his job and replied: 'Absolutely.' He said: 'Let me set out the facts because it is clear that some don't know them. 'The leisure centre was used to temporarily house those who had been affected by the violence in Ballymena. 'This had been confirmed yesterday publicly. It was in the public domain, it was on a news website and it had been confirmed by the council. 'My message was posted because rumours had been circulating that the leisure centre was to be turned into a permanent centre, the messages flying about that caravans were being brought into the car park there. '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. 'I will very strongly hit back at any notion that I have revealed the use of this facility to the public when the protest was already planned, when everybody knew what was happening.' Mr 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.' Matthew O'Toole, leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he would refer Mr Lyons' social media post to the standards commissioner. Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly said there had been a 'huge attack' in Larne. He added: 'If I was the minister I would be considering my position. 'I think he should seriously consider his 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. 'The result we have had, the town has been attacked by a racist mob.' Sinn Fein MLA Colm Gildernew said Mr Lyons' post was 'reckless and inflammatory'. He added: '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 disturbances in nearby Ballymena but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere. Police and firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control on Wednesday night. 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.
