Violence escalates in Northern Ireland after second night of riots

Communities in Ballymena are gripped by fear as unrest spreads and police treat attacks as racially motivated.
Text: Óscar Ontañón Docal
Published 2025-06-11

The latest news on Ireland. Unrest has gripped Northern Ireland for a second consecutive night as rioting in Ballymena spreads to other towns, prompting calls for reinforcements from the British mainland, police said on Wednesday.


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Authorities report growing fear among residents after homes were targeted and officers injured in a wave of racially motivated violence. The disturbances began following outrage over a reported sexual assault case involving two teenagers.

Belfast - Northern Ireland, August 3 2024. PSNI vans block road near Botanic Gardens during clash with protesters following immigration march

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