In Ballymena, Northern Ireland, rioters attacked police, set cars and homes ablaze, and injured 32 officers over two nights of unrest. This violence erupted after a protest regarding an alleged sexual assault involving two 14-year-old boys, who were subsequently charged and remanded in custody until July 2. The police categorized some attacks on properties as racially motivated hate crimes, with four homes reported damaged by fire.
Amid the chaos, police encountered significant resistance, necessitating the use of water cannon and non-lethal rounds to disperse rioters armed with petrol bombs and other projectiles. Local residents, particularly from immigrant communities, expressed fear of being targeted; some displayed British flags on their homes for protection against potential violence.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the “mindless violence” as unacceptable, emphasizing its detrimental impact on community fabric. Following the disturbances, several arrests were made for riotous behavior in Ballymena, located about 28 miles from Belfast.
The unrest extended beyond Ballymena, with additional protests leading to road blockages in Belfast. Violence also occurred in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, where police faced assaults with bottles and bricks. Local and national politicians, including Northern Ireland Minister Hilary Benn, condemned the activities as having no place in society.
The escalation of violence marked a troubling reminder of the fragile peace in Northern Ireland, 27 years post the peace agreement that halted three decades of sectarian conflict. The situation remains tense, with ongoing police investigations and community concerns over safety and social cohesion.
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