Violence Erupts in Ballymena Over Sexual Assault Case

The police in Ballymena are investigating racially motivated violence as riots sparked by a sexual assault case leave 15 officers injured and homes set ablaze.

Protests turned violent in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, on Monday evening after a court hearing regarding two 14-year-old boys charged with sexual assault. The Police Service of Northern Ireland reported that during the unrest, which lasted for several hours, officers were subjected to sustained attacks by rioters who threw Molotov cocktails, fireworks, and heavy objects.

Civilians' property also suffered, with multiple houses and businesses vandalized or set on fire, prompting police to classify the incidents as racially charged hate crimes. Several people had to be evacuated from homes that were torched, while some injured officers required medical attention.

The surge of unrest followed the boys' court hearing linked to serious charges stemming from an incident involving a teenage girl. Both defendants, whose names and ages were verified through a Romanian interpreter, deny the allegations of attempted oral rape reported to have occurred on Saturday night.

While the demonstration over the case began peacefully with hundreds gathering around 7:30 p.m., tensions escalated when masked individuals shifted focus towards property damage. Police indicated that these disruptors built barricades and began to attack properties.

Social media platforms amplified attention on the case and violence, with far-right advocates celebrating the unrest. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson condemned the chaos, urging participants to reconsider their actions, emphasizing that such violence only increases the risks to community safety.

One man, aged 29, was arrested for his involvement in the disorder, and concurrent investigations are also underway for a Molotov cocktail incident in the nearby village of Cullybackey, adding to the scrutiny on escalating violence in the region.