Police in Northern Ireland reported that 17 officers were injured during a second night of violent protests in Ballymena. The unrest began when rioters hurled bricks, bottles, petrol bombs, and fireworks, leading to several vehicles and homes being set ablaze.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland responded with water cannons and rubber bullets to control a crowd of several hundred. By around 1 a.m. local time, the violence began to subside. Authorities arrested five individuals on suspicion of riotous behavior.
The chaos erupted after a peaceful march supporting the family of a victim of an alleged sexual assault. Two 14-year-old boys have been charged in connection with that incident, but their identities remain protected due to their age.
Following the march, many young people turned violent, setting houses on fire and attacking police. On the first night of protests, 15 officers sustained injuries. Similar disturbances were reported on the following night, along with smaller incidents in other towns across Northern Ireland.
Police officials indicated that social media was being used to incite the violence, which Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described as "racist thuggery." Some politicians have pointed to immigration as a source of tension in Ballymena, a town of about 30,000 people known for its strong pro-British Loyalist sentiment.
Jim Allister, leader of the Traditional Unionist Voice party, commented on the situation, stating that "unchecked migration" has created problems for the town. Meanwhile, some Romanian residents expressed shock at the violence, emphasizing their long-standing connection to the community. In a bid to avoid being targeted, several homes in the area displayed signs indicating their residents’ nationalities.
Despite concerns about the involvement of Loyalist paramilitaries, police have found no evidence linking them to the unrest. The ongoing violence reflects a broader pattern in Northern Ireland, where tensions have historically flared between British unionists and Irish nationalists. Although the major conflict known as "the Troubles" ended with a peace agreement in 1998, sporadic violence continues, often directed at immigrants.
The police condemned the recent violence and stated they may call in additional officers from England and Wales if necessary. Leaders from all parties in Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government have urged the public to reject the divisive actions of a few individuals and allow the justice system to address the alleged sexual assault properly.