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Ballymena, Northern Ireland Erupts in Second Night of Violence
Ballymena, Northern Ireland, has been rocked by a second consecutive night of violent unrest. Hundreds of masked individuals clashed with police, setting fire to homes and vehicles. This follows protests sparked by allegations of a sexual assault in the town.
Seventeen police officers were injured during Tuesday night’s turmoil, bringing the total number of officers injured since the violence began on Monday to 32. The unrest began after two 14-year-old boys appeared in court, charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl. Both boys, communicating through a Romanian interpreter, denied the charges and were remanded into custody.
Police are investigating attacks on several properties from Monday, classifying the incidents, which resulted in fire damage to four houses, as racially motivated hate crimes. Amidst rising tensions, some residents have resorted to displaying British flags, hoping to deter attacks.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the violence, describing it as “deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable.” He stressed that such “hate-fueled acts and mob rule” have no place in society.
Police responded to Tuesday’s violence with water cannons and non-lethal rounds after being targeted with petrol bombs, scaffolding, and rocks. At least one house was destroyed by fire, and several cars were also set ablaze. The violence extended beyond Ballymena, with protests and clashes reported in Belfast, Newtownabbey, and Carrickfergus.
Five arrests were made in Ballymena on Tuesday, following one arrest on Monday. The British government and local politicians have strongly condemned the ongoing violence. British Northern Ireland Minister Hilary Benn stated that the “terrible scenes of civil disorder” have no place in Northern Ireland.