NI Violence: Leisure Centre Attack – Third Night
- A leisure centre in Larne, Northern Ireland, became the target of an attack Wednesday night, marking a third consecutive night of violence in the region.The incident follows previous...
- mid and East Antrim borough Council had earlier confirmed that the Larne leisure centre was being used as an emergency shelter for families displaced by the recent disturbances...
- According to reports, police initially withdrew from the leisure centre as masked young people hurled objects at vehicles.
Unrest in Northern Ireland escalated as a leisure center in Larne was attacked during a third night of violence. The attack, which ignited after days of disorder, saw hooded youths targeting the facility, causing notable damage and prompting a police response. This follows the unrest in Ballymena,where police faced projectiles and fire,leading to injuries and arrests. The leisure centre, which had been sheltering displaced families, suffered fire damage. Lawmakers have condemned the violence while emergency services worked to maintain order. For more details on the developing situation, visit News Directory 3. Discover what’s next in the ongoing crisis.
Larne Leisure Centre Attacked Amid Northern Ireland Unrest
Updated June 11, 2025
A leisure centre in Larne, Northern Ireland, became the target of an attack Wednesday night, marking a third consecutive night of violence in the region.The incident follows previous unrest in Ballymena, where authorities reported 32 officers injured and six arrests over Monday and Tuesday.
mid and East Antrim borough Council had earlier confirmed that the Larne leisure centre was being used as an emergency shelter for families displaced by the recent disturbances in Ballymena. The unrest initially erupted after a peaceful protest regarding an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena.
According to reports, police initially withdrew from the leisure centre as masked young people hurled objects at vehicles. Officers in riot gear later returned to the scene, where a crowd of approximately 50 people watched as a smaller group of about a dozen individuals targeted the building. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) responded to the incident around 8:54 p.m. BST, dispatching two pumping appliances and a flexi officer, with a total of 16 personnel.
NIFRS reported that while the fire was under control,the front reception area of the leisure centre sustained important damage,along with extensive smoke damage throughout the facility. The council stated that all families who had been using the center for shelter have been safely relocated.
Danny Donnelly, a local Alliance Party MLA who was present at the leisure centre, described the scene as “absolute disorder.” He condemned the attackers as “thugs,” expressing his disgust at the events.Donnelly added that a brick was thrown through a window while a yoga class was in session,forcing staff to barricade themselves and evacuate through a back door. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons stated on social media that he was informed of individuals being temporarily moved to the centre, adding that neither he nor his DUP Council colleagues were consulted on the decision until late in the afternoon. Lyons also condemned the violence and damage inflicted, calling the attack on the Larne Leisure Centre an attack on all residents who use the facility. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and community unrest in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, in Ballymena, tensions remained high as smoke bombs, fireworks, bottles, and bricks were thrown at police officers. A line of six police vehicles advanced on the crowd, with officers in riot gear pushing back a number of individuals. Police deployed dogs, and water cannons were brought to the scene. windows of a residential property near Clonavon Terrace, the site of previous disturbances, were smashed.
What’s next
Authorities have deployed additional police officers to affected areas in an effort to quell the ongoing unrest and maintain public order. The focus remains on de-escalating tensions and preventing further violence in both Larne and Ballymena.