Violence erupts in Ballymena as protests turn chaotic over sexual assault case

In Northern Ireland, public unrest erupted in Ballymena on the evening of Monday, June 9, 2025, following the charging of two Romanian-speaking teenagers with attempted rape. These events were triggered by a protest that initially formed in response to an alleged sexual assault on a teenage girl over the weekend. While the demonstration began peacefully, it quickly escalated into significant disorder, resulting in violence against police and damage to property. Eyewitness reports noted social media footage showing intense scenes of chaos, with masked individuals throwing missiles at law enforcement officers and setting fires. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported that over a dozen officers were injured during the clashes as demonstrators threw bricks, concrete, and petrol bombs. Despite the initial peaceful intent of the protest to support the victim, the situation deteriorated by nightfall as groups of masked youths engaged in vandalism and confrontation with police. Local authorities described the events as disturbing and warned that such disorder posed risks to community safety. Chief superintendent Sue Steen of the PSNI urged residents to act responsibly and refrain from violent behavior. She emphasized that violence would only exacerbate the situation and increase the risk to community members. Justice Minister Naomi Long also condemned the violence, calling it appalling and stressing that such actions are unacceptable in society. She appealed to those involved to consider the implications of their actions before someone is seriously harmed. The violence was linked by local political representatives, including MP Jim Allister, to growing tensions regarding immigration within Ballymena. Allister noted that the town has seen rising concerns about the number of immigrants, which he suggested could have contributed to the unrest. He expressed his concern over how the legitimate protest against the sexual assault case was hijacked by elements seeking to incite violence. Allister reiterated that there needs to be a return to calm and that justice must take its course in response to the serious allegations against the teenagers in custody.