HOMES were destroyed and missiles were thrown at cops by masked thugs last night in “disturbing scenes” as rioting broke out in Ballymena, Co Antrim.
The unrest broke out after an estimated 2,500 people gathered after a teenage girl was allegedly the victim of a serious sexual assault at the weekend.
The crowd had initially gathered to support the family of the girl but violence broke out later in the evening, with homes being smashed in and missiles thrown through the windows.
A line of police vehicles advanced towards the protesters followed by officers on foot.
Those involved in the violent incident burned plastic road barriers and bins that were making up a part of the barricade on the street and clips show masked yobs tossing missiles at PSNI vehicles.
Firefighters later responded to the burning debris on the road and inspected a nearby house which had filled with smoke.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said there can be “no justification” for such “appalling” scenes.
She said: “I am absolutely appalled by the disturbing scenes in Ballymena yesterday evening during which PSNI officers were injured, residents terrorised, and properties damaged.
“There is absolutely no place in our society for such disorder and there can be no justification for it.”
Long said attacking homes and police officers “serves no purpose other than to damage communities and raise tension”, adding that those involved in the violence will be “held accountable”.
The carnage erupted hours after two 14-year-old boys appeared at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court charged with attempted rape.
The boys, who legally cannot be named due to their age, spoke to confirm their names and ages.
Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.
Tyler Hoey, Deputy mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough, said there had been “outstanding” support at the peaceful protest earlier in the day for the family of the girl who was allegedly assaulted.
‘NARRATIVE HAS BEEN DIVERTED’
Speaking on BBC’s The Nolan Show, he added that the violence that followed “has to be condemned” and called for peace on the streets.
North Antrim MP Mr Allister said he had spoken to the family of the girl who was the victim of the alleged sexual assault and they did not want to see violent scenes.
He said: “Sadly the narrative has been diverted, and it has been diverted by those who wrongly and foolishly involved in violence and made the story something that what it otherwise should be.
“My message is the violence should stop. The concerns are there, I am certainly aware of them, I hear them and there needs now to be a period of calm and justice needs to take its course.”
‘URGING EVERYONE TO REMAIN CALM’
Several properties in the Clonavon Terrace area suffered severe damage last night, including broken windows, and a boat could be seen overturned in the street.
It is understood that at least two houses were set alight during the incident, with flames from these homes spreading to nearby properties.
Police dogs were deployed to the area and PSNI riot officers attended the scene in an attempt to “bring calm”.
Chief Superintendent Sue Steen appealed for locals to remain calm and refrain from engaging in violence.
She said: “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly.
“Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk.
“Our priority is to keep the community safe, and I would appeal to everyone to work with us to bring calm to the area as quickly as possible.”
