Riot Erupts in Ballymena Over Sexual Assault Case, Leads to Injuries and Damage

Violence in Ballymena resulted in 15 police injuries and damage to property amid racially motivated attacks after a protest over a sexual assault case involving two teenage boys.

Protests turned violent in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on Monday night as demonstrators expressed outrage over the court appearance of two 14-year-old boys charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl. The Police Service of Northern Ireland reported that 15 officers were injured during sustained attacks by rioters, who employed Molotov cocktails, fireworks, and bricks against law enforcement. A police statement indicated that the unrest involved racially motivated assaults on nearby homes and businesses, resulting in the destruction of property and the evacuation of three families.

The violent outbreak followed an initial demonstration that began around 7:30 p.m., which was primarily peaceful as crowds marched towards Clonavon Terrace, where the alleged assault occurred. However, the situation escalated when masked individuals separated from the main group to create barricades and launch projectiles. The police had been on alert due to the large assembly but were unprepared for the subsequent violence.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson condemned the disorder, urging participants to reconsider their actions, highlighting that such violence only increases risks to the community. Authorities have since arrested a 29-year-old man for riotous behavior and other related offenses. The police are also looking into a separate Molotov cocktail incident nearby in Cullybackey, which is being treated as a hate crime, following reports of a vehicle and property damage affecting a family inside.