THIRD night of violence erupts in Northern Ireland as 'masked youths' smash windows and start fires at 'emergency rest centre'

The families have since "all been safely relocated and are no longer availing of the facility", the council added.

But on Wednesday, dramatic scenes erupted at the leisure centre - which now appears to be ablaze.

Images and videos from social media appears to show crowds of people throwing chairs and bins through the windows of the facility before riot police and fire engines arrived at the scene.

A crowd of protesters later assembled in the centre's car park as firefighters battled the flames.

Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said on social media: "Larne leisure centre has been attacked by masked thugs. Windows smashed and fires lit nearby. Larne does not need this."

And earlier today, DUP MLA Gordon Lyons said it had been "brought to my attention that a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Leisure Centre in the early hours of the morning following the disturbances in Ballymena".

"As a local MLA for the area, neither I nor my DUP Council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon," he added.

"It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.

"Protesting is of course a legitimate right, but violence is not... I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful."

READ MORE AS UNREST GRIPS NORTHERN IRELAND:

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• Ballymena riots: GB News’s Mark White says police facing ‘molotov cocktails’ on second night of violence

Ulster Unionist Party MLA John Stewart condemned tonight's attacks on Larne Leisure Centre, describing the events as "despicable and disgraceful".

Stewart said: "The violence, vandalism, and intimidation seen this evening have absolutely no place in our society. The leisure centre is a vital community asset at the very heart of Larne. To see it targeted in such a senseless and deliberate manner is both truly shocking and deeply saddening.

"I wholeheartedly condemn these actions. There is absolutely no excuse for what has taken place in Larne, and it must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

"Violence and intimidation are not the answer and must not be allowed to gain any foothold in our communities. I urge anyone with information to come forward to the authorities."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had earlier requested assistance from police forces across Scotland, England and Wales to respond to the disorder in Ballymena.

Unrest had broken out in the town on Monday in response to a case involving two teenage boys accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

North Antrim MP and TUV leader Jim Allister said tensions had been brewing in Ballymena over immigration, adding that the violence followed a peaceful protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend.

The disorder continued in Ballymena into Wednesday night as a significant crowd gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area.

Demonstrators who gathered on nearby Bridge Street were told to disperse shortly before 9pm after a firework was thrown at officers.

Earlier on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer condemned the "mindless attacks" against police in the Commons.

"I utterly condemn the violence that we have seen overnight in Ballymena and in other parts of Northern Ireland, including against PSNI officers," Starmer told MPs.

"It's absolutely vital that the PSNI are given the time they need to investigate the incidents concerned rather than face mindless attacks as they seek to bring peace and order to keep people safe."

GB News has approached the PSNI for comment.