Second night of violence erupts in Northern Ireland as police attacked with fireworks and houses set alight

Dougie Beattie reports on the second night of rioting in Northern Ireland
GB News
Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 11/06/2025

- 07:30

Updated: 11/06/2025

- 08:30

Police called the violence 'racially motivated', with it targeting 'minority ethnic communities'

A second night of anti-migration riots erupted in Northern Ireland, with police being attacked by petrol bombs and fireworks.

Around 300 people gathered in the vicinity of Clonavon Terrace, in Ballymena, County Antrim, following the attempted rape of a teenage girl.


Riotting emerged after two 14-year-old boys, believed to be Romanian, appeared in court charged with the attempted rape of a girl.

Some 17 police officers have been injured and four houses have been set alight. Five people have been arrested.

Car set on fire

Multiple cars have been set on fire

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Rioters sent a bin on fire towards police


A large fire was started by rioters, with multiple cars also being set alight.

Police have condemned the violence, describing it as "racist thuggery".

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson stated the violence was "clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police".

One man has been charged with riotous behaviour and is due to appear at Ballymena magistrates' court on Thursday.

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Rioters were seen throwing projectiles at police vehicles

The Prime Minister's official spokesman stated: "There is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities".

The two 14-year-old boys are scheduled to next appear in court on July 2.

Northern Ireland Secretary, Hilary Benn, said on a post on social media: "The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland.

"There is absolutely no justification for attacks on PSNI officers or for vandalism directed at people's homes or property."

Riot

Around 300 people rioted on the second night of violence

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The riots mark the second night of protests after an estimated crowd of around 2,500 gathered on Monday night.

North Antrim MP and TUV leader Jim Allister said tensions had been growing over immigration.

He said: "Within Ballymena, there have been rising concerns about the sheer scale of migration into the town, and that would have been a factor in the wholly peaceful protest.

"All that to be distinguished from the wanton violence which then followed, with obviously a minority of that peaceful crowd wanting to take advantage of that to visit violence which wasn't wanted or warranted, hence the scenes that we saw.

"It is very distressing to see scenes of violence on the streets of Ballymena."