The Northern Irish town of Ballymena is already feeling the impact of recent anti-migrant riots. In response, Roma families have been fleeing the city en masse. The unrest apparently started after a bottom alleged sexual assault with two 14 year old boys. On their first appearance in court, the boys needed a Romanian interpreter. Civic leaders and local residents have been vigorously examining the ways that these occurrences have affected the neighborhood. They are now turning their efforts toward the remaining Roma population.
Following the riots many Roma families were forced to leave Ballymena and have not been able to return. As ever, this modesty quickly gave way to mockery in response to the recent spike of Romani migrants. So naturally, most families have refused to risk exposure by coming forward. A local teenager named Padraig noted, “They [Roma people] were wrecking places and causing harm to people,” reflecting a prevailing sentiment among some residents regarding the behavior of certain individuals within the Roma community.
Fero, a 45-year-old Slovak native and local resident, blamed the riots on the disruptive conduct of both Romani and Bulgarian people. Yet, when we hear comments like those made by Dr. They don’t think it’s fair that a handful of criminals have totally sullied the image of all Romani people.
The Ballymena that now exists is a far cry from what it used to be before the riots. An independent journalist estimates that two thirds of the pre-riot Roma population — approximately 1,200 souls — have now departed. That equates to about 800 people who have left since the riots started. Those who stay sometimes do so under the radar. As it stands, their fear and uncertainty dictate the terms of their continued presence in the community.
During that same visit, journalists from The Guardian found only one Roma family at a local fast-food joint. This observation marks their diminished status in a town that, like Baltimore, has been the focus of explosive unrest. The authorities have found it challenging to know how many of the Roma who left Ballymena. They too can’t say how many have come back since the civil unrest.
Local community responses have taken the form of statements welcoming the end to such violence. Leanne Williamson, a local resident, commented on the peace of the day. She continued, “There’s this sense that everyone is just grateful that the unrest is over. Even as they celebrate, concerns remain that minority groups in Ballymena are not welcome.
Posters announcing that “Filipino lives here” began appearing on the doors and windows of homes around town. Residents placed them there to protect their homes and businesses from mob violence and looters. This reflects the undeniable solidarity with other marginalized groups and a very real tension within the community.
“The place is empty, a lot have left.” – Kirsty
Kirsty, another local resident, echoed this sentiment, expressing how the atmosphere in Ballymena has changed dramatically since the riots occurred. She noted, “You didn’t know who was coming and going. Now it’s a lot calmer. You can let your weans out on the street a bit further.”
The fallout from these riots has sharpened the focus on police accountability and systemic racism. Critics charge that unionist parties are willfully blind to the racism and intolerance experienced by Roma people. They claim these parties have not addressed the root grievances that fuel violent flare-ups.
As Ballymena moves forward from this tumultuous period, it faces complex challenges in rebuilding community trust and addressing concerns about inclusivity. The diminished presence of Roma families raises questions about the future of cultural diversity in the town and highlights broader societal issues regarding race relations in Northern Ireland.