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Ballymena: Homes damaged in disorder after alleged sex assault | Ballymena: Homes damaged in disorder after alleged sex assault |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Watch: Disorder breaks out in Ballymena on Monday night | Watch: Disorder breaks out in Ballymena on Monday night |
Police have appealed for calm after disorder broke out in Ballymena, following a protest over an alleged sexual assault in the town. | |
Masked youths could be seen throwing masonry and a number of properties were damaged with windows smashed. | Masked youths could be seen throwing masonry and a number of properties were damaged with windows smashed. |
At least two houses were set on fire, according to the Belfast Telegraph. | At least two houses were set on fire, according to the Belfast Telegraph. |
Officers blocked off Clonavon Terrace as they tried to tackle the unrest while a police car appeared to have its windows smashed. | Officers blocked off Clonavon Terrace as they tried to tackle the unrest while a police car appeared to have its windows smashed. |
In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said a number of missiles wee thrown at its officers and "damage had reported to a number of properties". | |
Police have advised motorists and pedestrians to avoid Clonavon Road until further notice. | |
Ch Supt Sue Steen said: "We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk". | Ch Supt Sue Steen said: "We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly. Violence and disorder will only place people at greater risk". |
Social media footage appeared to show a masked man throwing an object at police vans as a crowd looked on. | Social media footage appeared to show a masked man throwing an object at police vans as a crowd looked on. |
Black smoke filled the air as flames erupted close to a house that had its windows smashed. | Black smoke filled the air as flames erupted close to a house that had its windows smashed. |
The unrest follows a protest in the town, about 30 miles from Belfast, earlier in the evening. | |
Earlier, two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the County Antrim town. | Earlier, two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the County Antrim town. |
A protest of hundreds of people in Ballymena happened hours after the court appearance. | A protest of hundreds of people in Ballymena happened hours after the court appearance. |
The crowd of men, women and children gathered close to the town centre and marched peacefully along Larne Street and then Queen Street. | The crowd of men, women and children gathered close to the town centre and marched peacefully along Larne Street and then Queen Street. |