The Northern Irish town of Ballymena has seen two consecutive nights of intense unrest, with masked rioters setting homes and vehicles ablaze and launching attacks on police forces.
The violence comes in the wake of a protest sparked by an alleged sexual assault case involving two teenage boys, who appeared in court on Monday, accused of assaulting a teenage girl.
On Tuesday night, chaos unfolded once again as hundreds of rioters took to the streets. Police described the situation as “serious disorder” and advised residents to avoid the area.
Emergency services responded to multiple blazes, including four homes that were set on fire. Other houses and businesses suffered extensive damage, with windows and doors smashed during the unrest.
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Authorities are treating the first night of violence, which occurred on Monday, as a racially motivated hate incident. The attacks appeared to target homes believed to be occupied by migrant families, raising significant concern about community tensions in the region.
The initial protest on Monday was largely peaceful, with hundreds gathering to express outrage over the alleged assault. However, tensions quickly escalated into violence, marking a worrying shift in public response and drawing condemnation from local leaders.
Police continue to investigate both the alleged assault and the subsequent riots, while efforts are being made to calm the community and prevent further escalation. Officials have urged residents to report any suspicious activity and avoid being drawn into acts of violence.
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