Racially Charged Violence Erupts in Ballymena Protests Over Assault Case

Protests in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, escalated into violent riots following the court hearing of two 14-year-old boys charged with sexual assault. As police responded, masked individuals launched attacks, damaging properties and injuring officers. Investigations into the racially motivated nature of these attacks are ongoing.

Protests erupted in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on Monday evening following a court hearing for two 14-year-old boys charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl. The police condemned the surge of violence that ensued, as rioters clashed with law enforcement, resulting in injuries to 15 officers and extensive damage to local homes and businesses.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland reported how the officers faced "sustained attack" with rioters employing Molotov cocktails, fireworks, and heavy masonry during the chaos. Several properties were set ablaze and others suffered vandalism, with the police indicating that these incidents are being investigated as racially motivated hate crimes.

The protests began around 7:30 p.m. in response to the appearance of the two boys in court, where they were charged with attempted oral rape—a charge they deny. Initially, the demonstration was reported as peaceful, with crowds moving towards Clonavon Terrace, the site of the alleged assault. However, tension escalated when some masked individuals diverged from the main group to confront the police, erect barricades, and initiate violent confrontations.

Social media influencers and far-right groups have been accused of inciting the unrest by exacerbating local sentiments regarding the assault case. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson condemned the violent outbursts, urging individuals involved in the disorder to reconsider their actions.

Amid the turmoil, a 29-year-old man was arrested for engaging in riotous behavior, while investigations continued into separate incidents of racially motivated violence, including attacks in nearby Cullybackey. In one incident, a vehicle was set on fire while a woman and her two children were inside their home, raising further concerns over community safety in the aftermath of these protests.