Ballymena has been thrown into turmoil the last two nights. Riots broke out when a reported gang rape on June 7, among others, led to outrage. The violence began during a vigil for Finley, the teenage girl who was reportedly raped by two 14-year-old boys. This initial protest quickly devolved into riots, leaving several policemen injured and threatening the mood of the city.
On Monday night, tensions escalated dramatically when crowds gathered in response to the charges against the two boys, who appeared in court earlier that day charged with attempted rape. The court proceedings featured a Romanian interpreter to translate the charges, clearly demonstrating the colorful patchwork community at play in this small-town drama. When emotions boiled over into violent protests and riots, law enforcement claimed 15 police officers were injured during the violent discord.
The next night, violence escalated as well, instigating a second night of rioting. Overnight, a “sustained attack” on police officers occurred, with assailants throwing petrol bombs, masonry, and fireworks directly at law enforcement officials. In reaction to this unrest, police responded with mass arrests, as well as baton rounds (plastic ones) and water cannon to clear escalating crowds. By the end of Tuesday night, 17 officers needed hospital treatment because of their injuries.
Chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland Jon Boutcher denounced the violence. He condemned it as “mindless” and “deeply concerning.” He called attention to the fact that these acts put people’s lives at risk. They undermine the delicate criminal justice process that serves to protect the victim. He called on those who stormed the Capitol to realize that they have more in common than divides them.
“These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice and protection. Ironically, and frustratingly, this violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge.” – Jon Boutcher, Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable
Political leaders were equally swift to condemn the violence. Hilary Benn, Northern Ireland secretary, joining unionist condemnation said he was “appalled” at the scenes of civil disorder. He expressed the need for such scenes to have “no place in Northern Ireland,” urging calm and consideration by all parties engaged in them.
“The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland.” – Hilary Benn, Northern Ireland secretary
Ministers from Northern Ireland’s power-sharing executive swiftly condemned those seeking to exploit the unfolding humanitarian crisis. They claimed that these people didn’t really care about justice, they just wanted to stir up racial divisions. These four girls demanded an end to the violence, placed flowers at the memorial and called for solidarity in their neighborhood.
“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.” – Ministers representing every party and department in the Northern Ireland Executive
As police contend with continued disturbances, they said they would request assistance from specialist units across Wales and England if needed. Five people have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with these riots. Protests of various sizes took place in Lisburn, Coleraine, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, and Belfast. This burst of activity is evidence that tensions are far from calming in many communities.