A peaceful protest over an alleged teenage sexual assault in Ballymena, Northern Ireland spiraled into racially charged violence, with hundreds clashing and property being destroyed.
At a Glance
- Two 14‑year‑old boys were charged over an alleged sexual assault, sparking a vigil in Ballymena on June 9, 2025.
- The vigil turned violent when masked individuals threw petrol bombs, bricks, fireworks, and set vehicles and homes on fire.
- Police responded with water cannon, plastic baton rounds, and reinforcements; 32 officers were injured over two nights.
- Immigrant families—some displaying flags on their doors—were specifically targeted, prompting widespread fear.
- At least six homes and multiple vehicles were damaged, and eleven arrests have been made so far.
Escalation From Protest To Riot
On June 9, an initially peaceful vigil near Clonavon Terrace marked the appearance of two teenagers in court. Hundreds gathered, then a masked group broke off, launching petrol bombs and bricks at police and igniting barricades, according to The Guardian. First‑night clashes injured 15 police officers, damaged two patrol cars, and saw four homes set ablaze, as reported by FT.
Second Night Of Disorder
The unrest continued into June 10 with roughly 300 rioters confronting police. Reinforcements used water cannons and baton rounds to repel the attacks. The second wave left an additional 17 officers hurt, totaling 32 police injuries, and another five arrests were made, according to AP News. The violence spread to nearby towns, including Belfast and Lisburn, stoking broader worry across Northern Ireland. Watch a report: Anti-immigrant violence erupts in Northern Ireland for second night.
Community Fear And Official Response
Immigrant residents reported barricading inside homes and flying flags to deter attacks, with at least one rioter caught on fire while throwing a bomb. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson denounced the disorder as racially motivated and vowed swift justice, as highlighted in The Guardian’s coverage. Northern Ireland’s Executive, along with the UK government, condemned the unrest and is reviewing police resource levels amid calls for greater support, per FT reporting.
Wider Implications
This incident marks the most serious anti-immigrant violence in Northern Ireland since recent unrest in Liverpool and Dublin, spotlighting how social media misinformation fuels xenophobia. With immigrants comprising just 3.4% of the population, these events expose deep tensions over immigration in areas unaccustomed to diversity.
Authorities from police to politicians are urging calm and promising prosecutions, as security forces are reinforced while families and local businesses assess the damage.
