Ballymena Unrest: Calm Restored After Water Cannon Use | Irish Times
Following a second night of unrest, Ballymena is settling down after police utilized water cannons to disperse crowds. The primary_keyword, public disorder, erupted following a protest linked to an alleged sexual assault, leading to multiple arrests, including one man charged with riotous behavior and other offenses. Secondary_keyword activity, such as petrol bombs and projectiles thrown at officers, prompted a forceful response, and investigations are ongoing. The PSNI is maintaining a firm presence, reassuring the community amidst the chaos. News Directory 3 may be following developments—stay informed via their platform. fifteen officers sustained injuries during the violent clashes. Further arrests are expected.Discover what’s next as Ballymena attempts to return to normalcy.
Ballymena Calms After Second Night of Public Disorder, Arrests Expected
Updated June 11, 2025
Ballymena, County Antrim, saw calm restored early Wednesday after a second consecutive night of public disorder. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported that the Clonavon Terrace, North Road, adn Bridge Street areas were quiet by approximately 1 a.m. Sporadic incidents also occurred in Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, and north Belfast.
During the unrest, rioters threw petrol bombs and masonry at officers, prompting police to deploy water cannon for crowd control. Riot police established barricades around Clonavon Terrace as hundreds gathered. Some protesters directed abuse and projectiles, including fireworks, glass bottles, and metal pieces, toward the police. A vehicle was set ablaze near a car wash and tire center, one of several fires ignited by protesters.
Authorities responded with plastic baton rounds and water cannon. Multiple house windows were shattered, and at least one protester’s clothing caught fire. Many young children were present near the police lines. The PSNI, supported by dog units, repeatedly used water cannon to push protesters from Clonavon Terrace toward the junction of Bridge Street and North Street, near a King William mural.
As the evening progressed, rioters dispersed into other parts of Ballymena, setting fire to a property on Bridge Street and a home on Queen Street. Multiple vehicles were also set ablaze, including near a car wash and tire center off Bridge Street and on Larne Street. The PSNI cleared streets, creating gaps in their barricades for firefighters to extinguish the blazes.
Officers deployed a drone to monitor the illegal activity, which included rioters kicking in doors and ransacking homes. Hilary Benn stated there is no justification for attacks on police officers or vandalism.
The unrest followed a peaceful protest supporting the family of a girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted. Two 14-year-old boys have been charged with attempted rape in connection with the incident. The PSNI has made a third arrest and renewed its appeal for public data.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan henderson described the violence, which injured 15 officers on Monday, as “racist thuggery.” He added that a important police operation would remain in place. Henderson urged anyone with information to contact the police.A 29-year-old man has been charged with riotous behavior, disorderly behavior, attempted criminal damage, and resisting police. He is scheduled to appear before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on July 3. Further arrests are anticipated as video footage is reviewed.
The British prime minister’s official spokesman described the events as “very concerning.”
Henderson noted that members of the minority ethnic community “felt fear,” prompting a significant policing operation to reassure the community. Police are also investigating a reported arson incident in the Tobar Park area of Cullybackey, where a petrol bomb was thrown at a vehicle, causing damage to a nearby property with a woman and two children inside.
What’s next
Police will maintain a strong presence in Ballymena in the coming days to ensure community safety and continue investigating the recent unrest, with further arrests expected as investigations continue.