The town of Ballymena in Northern Ireland experienced significant unrest on Monday night following the court hearing of two 14-year-old boys charged with serious sexual assault. The Police Service of Northern Ireland reported that 15 officers suffered injuries during a riot where rioters, many wearing masks, hurled Molotov cocktails, bricks, and fireworks.
The police noted that the initial gathering, a planned demonstration over the case, was peaceful as residents made their way toward Clonavon Terrace, the site of the alleged assault. However, tensions escalated when a group of masked individuals broke away, constructing barricades and launching attacks on properties, which are now being investigated as racially motivated hate crimes.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson condemned the "shocking scenes of disorder," urging participants in the violence to reconsider their actions. A suspect, a 29-year-old man, has been arrested on various charges related to the disturbances. Additional reports indicated a Molotov cocktail attack in a nearby village, further complicating the investigation into racially charged crimes in the region.
As local authorities work to address the fallout from the protests and the ongoing case, the implications of social media influence from far-right groups have raised concerns about escalating tensions within the community.
