Violent protests erupted in Northern Ireland, leaving at least 15 police officers injured and several homes set on fire. The unrest began after a court hearing in the town of Ballymena, where two Romanian-speaking minors were charged with the attempted rape of a local girl. The accused have denied the charges, but the incident sparked a vigil that quickly turned violent.
Masked protesters threw petrol bombs and bricks at police, attempting to set fire to homes they believed belonged to the families of the accused. Videos from the scene showed rioters erecting barricades and setting them alight, as well as smashing windows. The police arrested one person on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behavior. The Police Federation for Northern Ireland condemned the riots as “totally mindless, unacceptable, and feral.”
The alleged victim’s family also spoke out against the unrest, thanking those who came to support them and calling for justice to be served in the correct manner. However, the situation has raised concerns about racial tensions in the area. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson stated that the violence was “clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police.”
This incident is not isolated, as Northern Ireland has seen a surge in race hate crimes over the past year. According to law enforcement data, the number of such crimes increased by 309 between September 2023 and September 2024, representing a 33% rise compared to the previous 12 months. The police linked this increase to mass anti-immigration protests in the province and across the UK, which were sparked by a knife attack at a dance workshop in Southport, England, in July 2024.
The attack, carried out by a teenager of Rwandan descent, resulted in the deaths of three children and injured eight others. The incident has had a lasting impact on the community, with many calling for increased action to address racial tensions and hate crimes. As the situation in Northern Ireland continues to unfold, it is clear that the incident has highlighted deeper issues that need to be addressed to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of the community.
