This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg4v04p008o

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Ballymena: Police injured in disorder following alleged sex assault Ballymena: Police injured in disorder following alleged sex assault
(31 minutes later)
Properties were set on fire in BallymenaProperties were set on fire in Ballymena
Police have said 15 officers were injured in what they described as "racially-motivated hate attacks" in Ballymena on Monday night.Police have said 15 officers were injured in what they described as "racially-motivated hate attacks" in Ballymena on Monday night.
Disorder started following an earlier peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.Disorder started following an earlier peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.
Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said a family with three young children had to "barricade themselves into their attic".Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said a family with three young children had to "barricade themselves into their attic".
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police.A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of riotous and disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police.
North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the violence was "very distressing".North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the violence was "very distressing".
The Traditional Unionist Voice leader said the "context" for the demonstration was that there had been "significant demographic change in the area" because of "unfettered immigration".The Traditional Unionist Voice leader said the "context" for the demonstration was that there had been "significant demographic change in the area" because of "unfettered immigration".
Earlier on Monday, two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Ballymena.Earlier on Monday, two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Ballymena.
They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages.They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages.
Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.
Watch: Disorder breaks out in Ballymena on Monday nightWatch: Disorder breaks out in Ballymena on Monday night
What happened in Ballymena on Monday?What happened in Ballymena on Monday?
Hundreds of people took part in a peaceful march hours after the court appearance.Hundreds of people took part in a peaceful march hours after the court appearance.
The crowd of men, women and children gathered close to the town centre and walked along Larne Street and then Queen Street.The crowd of men, women and children gathered close to the town centre and walked along Larne Street and then Queen Street.
Later in the day, violence broke out.Later in the day, violence broke out.
Police said it began when a number of masked individuals broke away from the peaceful protest and began to build barricades and attack properties on Clonavon Terrace.Police said it began when a number of masked individuals broke away from the peaceful protest and began to build barricades and attack properties on Clonavon Terrace.
Over several hours people wearing masks threw petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks at police and two PSNI vehicles were damaged.Over several hours people wearing masks threw petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks at police and two PSNI vehicles were damaged.
Police say they fired one baton round, which hit a rioter.Police say they fired one baton round, which hit a rioter.
Six homes and a number of businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Six homes in total were attacked, with four of them damaged by fire and three people evacuated.
Four houses were also damaged by fire with three people evacuated. A number of businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed.
Some of the injured police officers required hospital treatment.Some of the injured police officers required hospital treatment.
One of the houses damaged after disorder in Ballymena on Monday nightOne of the houses damaged after disorder in Ballymena on Monday night
Family 'barricaded in attic'Family 'barricaded in attic'
Alliance Party assembly Sian Mulholland said a family with three young children had to "barricade themselves into their attic" during the overnight disorder in Ballymena. Alliance Party assembly member Sian Mulholland said a family with three young children had to "barricade themselves into their attic" during the overnight disorder in Ballymena.
She said they feared "they were going to be attacked, as they heard people rampage in the downstairs of their house".She said they feared "they were going to be attacked, as they heard people rampage in the downstairs of their house".
Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mulholland said: "It is only by the grace of God, and by the actions of the PSNI and the Fire Service last night, that we are not looking at something more serious."Speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Mulholland said: "It is only by the grace of God, and by the actions of the PSNI and the Fire Service last night, that we are not looking at something more serious."
Condemning the "disturbing scenes" on Monday night, she said: "The voices of those who gathered peacefully were drowned out by the chaos. That's not protest, and that is not justice." Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA for North Antrim Paul Frew has condemned those responsible for violent scenes and called for calm.
"Those same people who say they are protecting young women and girls allowed for women and young girls to be locked in an attic, barricaded into their bedrooms for fear of being burnt out in their homes." Frew said his thoughts are with "the victim of the sexual assault with whom the community gathered to stand in solidarity".
He added "that powerful message must not be lost or diluted by those who choose destruction over justice. I feared this would happen. For weeks and months, I have been warning about rising tensions, and sadly those warnings have now come true."
He said: "There is no justification for what happened. Violence is always wrong."
Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan, an assembly member for North Antrim, described the violence in Ballymena as "disgraceful".Sinn Féin's Philip McGuigan, an assembly member for North Antrim, described the violence in Ballymena as "disgraceful".
Speaking at Stormont, he appealed for calm and urged political leaders to "use measured language and avoid stoking tensions".Speaking at Stormont, he appealed for calm and urged political leaders to "use measured language and avoid stoking tensions".
Referencing the protests over an alleged sexual assault in the town, he said police must be allowed to "conduct their investigations thoroughly and for the courts to do their job".Referencing the protests over an alleged sexual assault in the town, he said police must be allowed to "conduct their investigations thoroughly and for the courts to do their job".
He added that the "thugs who set out to cause havoc and misery last night must be brought to justice".He added that the "thugs who set out to cause havoc and misery last night must be brought to justice".
Cullybackey arson attackCullybackey arson attack
Police are also investigating a report of arson in Tobar Park in Cullybackey in the early hours of Tuesday.Police are also investigating a report of arson in Tobar Park in Cullybackey in the early hours of Tuesday.
Shortly after 00:20 BST, the PSNI said a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle which caused it to set alight.Shortly after 00:20 BST, the PSNI said a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle which caused it to set alight.
Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside.Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside.
There were no reports of any injuries and it is also being dealt with as a racially-motivated hate crime.There were no reports of any injuries and it is also being dealt with as a racially-motivated hate crime.
Large crowds gathered in Ballymena on Monday nightLarge crowds gathered in Ballymena on Monday night
Justice Minister Naomi Long said she was "absolutely appalled by the disturbing scenes".Justice Minister Naomi Long said she was "absolutely appalled by the disturbing scenes".
"There is absolutely no place in our society for such disorder and there can be no justification for it," she said."There is absolutely no place in our society for such disorder and there can be no justification for it," she said.
Speaking on BBC's The Nolan Show, the deputy mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Tyler Hoey of the Democratic Unionist Party, said there had been "outstanding" support at the peaceful protest for the family of the girl who was allegedly assaulted. In a statement the PSNI said it "strongly condemns" the violence, which was "clearly racially motivated and targeted at our minority ethnic community and police".
He added that the violence that followed "has to be condemned" and called for people to stay off the streets. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: "We are engaging with groups affected by the disorder to support and reassure them."
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said a number of missiles were thrown at its officers and "damage had reported to a number of properties". He added there would be a "significant" policing presence in the town in the coming days.
Police have advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid Clonavon Road until further notice. "I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's violent disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences. I also appeal for calm."
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson condemned the attacks and said: "We are engaging with groups effected by the disorder to support and reassure them.
"I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday's violent disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences. I also appeal for calm over the coming days."