Stormont ministers have appealed for calm after a second consecutive night of unrest in Ballymena, reports RTE.
Police have arrested five individuals following what has been described as “serious disorder” on Monday night. Over the course of several hours, 17 PSNI officers were injured as petrol bombs and bricks were hurled at them and their vehicles.
This raises the total number of injured officers since the unrest began to 32, reports RTE.
According to the police, the violence followed a protest held in Ballymena town centre on Monday evening, which was connected to a reported sexual assault.
Earlier that day, two teenage boys appeared in court facing attempted rape charges, reports RTE.
In a shared statement, ministers from all parties in the Northern Ireland powersharing Executive – Sinn Féin, the DUP, the Alliance Party and the UUP – said those behind the disorder in Ballymena only contribute “division and disorder” to society.
The four-party Executive is led by Sinn Féin’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill and DUP’s Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, reports RTE.
Their joint statement read: “We strongly condemn the racially motivated violence witnessed in recent days and make an urgent appeal for calm across society.
“The alleged serious sexual assault reported on 7 June in Ballymena was appalling and our collective thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones at this deeply traumatic time, reports RTE.
“It is paramount that the justice process is now allowed to take its course so that this heinous crime can be robustly investigated. Those weaponising the situation in order to sow racial tensions do not care about seeing justice and have nothing to offer their communities but division and disorder,” reports RTE.
“While all of our citizens have the right to engage in peaceful protest, there can never be any justification for the violence that has taken place in recent days, during which residents have been terrorised and numerous PSNI officers injured,” reports RTE.
The statement continued: “We send our best wishes to all of those affected by these senseless acts and thank the PSNI and the NI Fire and Rescue Service for their efforts in ensuring that no-one has been seriously injured or worse.
“As an Executive, we work collectively every day to create a safe, prosperous and welcoming Northern Ireland for all. We are urging everyone in our communities to play their part in that effort and reject the divisive agenda being pursued by a minority of destructive, bad faith actors,” reports RTE.
On X, Ms O’Neill posted: “The racist and sectarian attacks on families across the north, and the rioting in Ballymena are abhorrent and must stop immediately. Those responsible for this violence bring nothing to our communities but hatred, fear and division.”
Ms Little-Pengelly also posted on social media, saying: “Dismayed to see further disorder last night, reports RTE.
“Violence is always wrong. I have been in constant contact throughout last night with PSNI and in contact with local elected representatives.
“This disorder and violence must stop and justice be allowed to prevail.”
The PSNI has denounced the “disgraceful scenes of violence” in Ballymena, reports RTE.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said: “The mindless violence witnessed over the past two nights in Ballymena is deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable,” reports RTE.
Mr Boutcher warned that the violence had endangered lives and could potentially “undermine the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection”.
Police had advised the public to stay away from the Clonavon Terrace area, where rioting occurred on Monday, reports RTE.
Riot police were deployed in the area yesterday.
Authorities said several homes and businesses in Ballymena were damaged during the latest outbreak of unrest. At one point, a riot officer was seen escorting a family from one home to another, reports RTE.
At least six houses were visibly damaged. Some had shattered windows, others had smashed-in doors. One house had been set on fire and suffered significant damage.
Residents had placed Union flags, Ulster flags, and Loyal Orders flags in the lower windows of their homes, hoping it would deter rioters from attacking, reports RTE.
In an effort to control the situation, police deployed water cannons to disperse the groups gathered in Clonavon Terrace, North Road, and Bridge Street.
Police also discharged several baton rounds.
Masked youths were seen in the town centre, some breaking paving stones to create projectiles to throw at officers, reports RTE.
Small fires were also started near the commercial heart of the town.
Mr Boutcher called on those taking part in the unrest to “cease all further acts of criminality and disorder immediately”.
He said the police will track down those responsible and “bring them to justice”, noting that images of suspects will be released to help identify them, reports RTE.
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