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Last night, riots erupted again in the Northern Irish town of Ballymena, located approximately 40 kilometers from Belfast. Five individuals were arrested, and 17 police officers sustained injuries during the unrest. This marks the second consecutive night of violence in the area.
Protesters attacked law enforcement with stones, fireworks, and Molotov cocktails, setting cars and homes ablaze. Authorities had deployed a significant police presence following similar disturbances the previous evening.
The unrest initially stemmed from a peaceful protest against two 14-year-old boys accused of attempting to rape a teenage girl over the weekend. The protest escalated into violence, with the Northern Irish police labeling the riots as "racially motivated hate attacks." The identities and nationalities of the accused have not been disclosed, though reports suggest the charges were translated into Romanian.
Residents reportedly displayed signs such as "British Household" as a precautionary measure. Police used armored vehicles equipped with water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. By 1:00 AM, calm had returned to Ballymena. The two accused minors remain in juvenile detention until at least July 2.
