Violence in Northern Ireland escalated for a third night on Wednesday as police encountered aggressive anti-immigrant protestors in various locations, including Ballymena and Larne. In Ballymena, masked rioters hurled petrol bombs and bricks at law enforcement, while in Larne, they set fire to a leisure center designated as emergency housing for families displaced by the unrest. Authorities assured that the families had been adequately relocated to safety.
The chaos began on Monday following allegations of an attempted sexual assault in Ballymena, with police labeling the attacks as "hate-fueled". The situation has raised serious concerns, prompting condemnation from Northern Ireland’s power-sharing executive, which described the violence as racially motivated. They emphasized that those exploiting the situation for divisive agendas endanger community cohesion.
In total, at least 32 police officers have sustained injuries, leading to a request for additional support from police forces across the UK, with Scottish officers scheduled to arrive on Thursday. The unrest traces its roots back to the court appearance of two 14-year-old boys charged with assault, a development that ignited reactions from far-right groups on social media, fueling the ongoing violence.
As night fell on Wednesday, Ballymena's streets saw a heavy police presence, with armored vehicles and riot officers facing off against protestors. Despite efforts by law enforcement to control the chaos using water cannons and police dogs, skirmishes continue, with the potential for more demonstrations anticipated as heavy rainstorms are forecasted.
Ali Watkins, covering international news, reports on the mounting tension in Northern Ireland as the situation develops.
