A third straight night of violent unrest has pushed Ballymena and surrounding towns into a state of emergency, as rioters clashed with police, torched vehicles, and launched targeted attacks on immigrant communities.
The violence, escalating since the arrest of two local teenagers over an alleged sexual assault earlier this week, has intensified each night, plunging the region into turmoil.
Police have come under relentless attack, facing petrol bombs, bricks, and fireworks. More than 30 officers have been injured in Ballymena and nearby towns. Dozens of vehicles have been destroyed, while immigrant families have been forced to flee their homes. Local businesses have closed their doors amid fears of further violence.
In Larne, masked rioters attacked the town’s leisure centre on the third consecutive night of disorder, smashing windows and setting fires inside the facility. The attack followed false claims on social media that the centre was housing displaced migrants from Ballymena. Authorities confirmed the building was empty during the incident.
Immigrant Communities Under Siege
The violence has taken a particularly racist turn, with immigrant communities — especially those from the Philippines and Eastern Europe — reporting harassment, threats, and vandalism. Some families have boarded up their homes or hung national flags in a desperate attempt to deter attackers. In one case, a Filipino family was trapped inside their home after their car was set on fire.
The initial spark for the unrest was the arrest of two 14-year-old local boys in connection with a reported sexual assault of a teenage girl in Ballymena’s Clonavon Terrace on June 7. Despite police confirming the suspects are from the local area, misinformation circulating online has falsely blamed migrants — triggering racially motivated violence.
Officials Condemn “Racist Thuggery”
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson stated that police are still determining whether the violence has links to paramilitary groups. “At this point, it’s not clear to us or through intelligence if there’s paramilitary coordination,” he said, noting Northern Ireland’s long-standing issues with sectarian violence and shadow militant groups.
The unrest has now spread to towns including Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, and Coleraine, where riot police and enhanced security measures have been deployed.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly issued a joint statement condemning the violence as “orchestrated racist thuggery.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also called for calm and urged the public to trust the justice system.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn is expected to visit Ballymena shortly to assess the deteriorating situation on the ground.
Community leaders and local organisations are working to provide shelter and support for displaced families, as fears of further violence continue to grip the region.
