Ongoing Unrest in Ballymena Sparks Clashes with Police

A second consecutive night of violent unrest unfolded in Ballymena, County Antrim, on Tuesday, with police coming under attack from petrol bombs, fireworks, and thrown masonry.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) responded by deploying baton rounds, riot dogs, and a water cannon to disperse the crowds. Protesters ignited at least one vehicle and damaged multiple homes by smashing windows.

The disturbances were centered in the Clonavon Terrace area — the same location where police said “racially motivated” violence had erupted on Monday night.

According to PSNI, the trouble began around 8:00 p.m. BST on Tuesday, with roads blocked by burning barricades. Order was eventually restored by about 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Alongside the violence in Ballymena, police also responded to isolated incidents in Newtonabbey, Carrickfergus, and north Belfast.

During the clashes, police issued multiple warnings through loudspeakers before deploying impact rounds and using the water cannon. Several homes and businesses were attacked. The PA news agency reported that two homes were set alight as protesters moved into other parts of the town. Some residents displayed signs on their homes indicating the nationalities of those inside, such as “British household” and “Filipino lives here.”

The unrest followed a peaceful protest on Monday over an alleged sexual assault involving a teenage girl in the town. That evening’s violence included petrol bombs being thrown at officers and six homes being attacked — four of which sustained fire damage.

Assembly member Sian Mulholland told the Northern Ireland Assembly that one family, including three children, had to take shelter in their attic during the violence. Numerous businesses also suffered damage, with doors and windows smashed.

Police charged a 29-year-old man with riotous behaviour, attempted criminal damage, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. Authorities urged those involved to reconsider their actions, noting that some participants on Monday were “clearly intent on violence.”

A Downing Street spokesperson described the situation as “very concerning,” while Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn condemned the events, stating there was “no justification” for the disorder.

Jim Allister, MP for North Antrim, wrote on social media: “Tonight’s further senseless violence in Ballymena is helping no cause — just destroying our own town and giving young men criminal records. Stop it.”

Earlier on Monday, two teenage boys appeared in Coleraine Magistrates’ Court, accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. The boys, speaking through a Romanian interpreter, confirmed their identities, and their solicitor indicated they would be denying the charges. A third man arrested in connection with the incident was later released unconditionally.

MP Faces Criticism Over Remarks Amid Ballymena Violence

On Tuesday, North Antrim MP Jim Allister rejected claims from another Northern Ireland MP that his condemnation of Monday night's violence lacked sincerity.

Allister strongly denied accusations made by Claire Hanna, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), who described his comments as “insincere” and “weaselly.”

In an interview with BBC Newsline, the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader expressed sympathy for all affected by the unrest, including the 14-year-old girl at the centre of the alleged sexual assault that preceded the protests.

He also suggested that long-standing tensions in the area were linked to what he described as an "oversaturation of migrants" placed in that part of Ballymena. Pressed for evidence, Allister referenced his recent canvassing experience in a street of about 50 houses, where he claimed only five were occupied by what he termed "local" Ballymena residents.

In response, South Belfast MP Claire Hanna accused some politicians of downplaying the violence and using language that failed to defuse tensions.

“We are hearing condemnations that, at best, lack sincerity — many would call them weaselly,” she said. “When you have a public platform, you can either work to solve problems or exploit them. You can try to calm tensions or inflame them.”

Reactions From Other Northern Irish Politicians

Jim Allister’s earlier comments on Monday — suggesting the area had undergone demographic change due to "unfettered immigration" — drew additional criticism. SDLP MLA Matthew O’Toole labelled the remarks “deeply irresponsible.”

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Paul Frew acknowledged he had previously warned of “rising tensions” in the community, saying those concerns had now materialised. However, he stressed that “there is no justification for what happened. Violence is always wrong.”

Justice Minister Naomi Long said she was “appalled” by the “disturbing scenes,” while Sinn Féin’s North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan called for calm and urged political figures to “choose measured language.”