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Larne: Leisure centre attacked in third night of violence in Northern Ireland Ballymena: Fire at Larne leisure centre as violence erupts for third night
(about 3 hours later)
Masked young people attack Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday evening Fires have been set in several locations in Country Antrim - with the worst in Ballymena, pictured
A leisure centre in Larne was attacked as a third night of violence broke out in Northern Ireland on Wednesday. Police have been attacked with fireworks, bottles and bricks as violence erupted for a third night in Northern Ireland.
During the disorder on Monday and Tuesday, the worst of which took place in Ballymena, 32 officers were injured and six people arrested. The worst of the disorder was in Ballymena, but unrest also spread to other towns on Wednesday evening.
Earlier this afternoon, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council confirmed the leisure centre had provided emergency shelter for families in urgent need following disturbances in Ballymena. In Larne, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire. The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier this week, the council said.
The disorder first began on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena. The disorder first began on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena, County Antrim.
At the leisure centre, police left the area after masked young people threw objects at vehicles, but later officers in riot gear returned to the scene. During the first two nights of disorder, 32 officers were injured and six people arrested. Police have not yet given any details about Wednesday night.
Officials have described the violence as racially-motivated, with Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson calling it "racist thuggery targeted at ethnic minorities and police officers".
At the leisure centre in Larne - about 20 miles (30km) from Ballymena - police left the area after masked young people threw objects at vehicles, but later officers in riot gear returned to the scene.
A crowd of about 50 people watched the dozen or so individuals target the centre.A crowd of about 50 people watched the dozen or so individuals target the centre.
The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) said that they attended the scene at 20:54 BST. Local Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly, who was there, told BBC News NI there was "absolute disorder".
Two pumping appliances and a flexi officer attended, with 16 personnel in total. He said "a brick went through a window when a yoga class was on" and "staff had to barricade themselves and run out the back door".
NIRFS said all their resources have now left. the scene with fire damage contained mainly to the front reception but added that extensive smoke damage. Donnelly called the group carrying out the attack "thugs" and he was "absolutely disgusted".
In a statement, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the families placed at the centre had all been "safely relocated" and were no longer availing of the centre.
Emergency services attended the scene
In a social media post on Wednesday, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he had been made aware of individuals being temporarily moved to the centre.
He commented that "neither I nor my DUP Council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon".
In a statement following the violence, Lyons condemned the damage inflicted.
He said: "The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose.
"Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility."
Watch: Leisure centre set on fire in third night of violence in Northern IrelandWatch: Leisure centre set on fire in third night of violence in Northern Ireland
Local Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly, who was at the leisure centre on Wednesday evening, told BBC News NI that there was "absolute disorder". Fire damage was contained mainly to the front reception but there was extensive smoke damage, the fire service said.
He called the group carrying out the attack "thugs" and that he was "absolutely disgusted". In a statement, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the families placed at the centre had all been "safely relocated" and were no longer using the centre.
Donnelly said that "a brick went through a window when a yoga class was on" and "staff had to barricade themselves and run out the back door". In a social media post earlier on Wednesday, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said he had been made aware of individuals being temporarily moved to the centre.
What is happening in Ballymena? Matthew O'Toole, the leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, said he would refer Lyons to the standards commissioner over his comments, saying "lives are at stake".
There was a large police presence in Ballymena on Wednesday evening In a statement following the violence, Lyons condemned the violence. "Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility."
Meanwhile in Ballymena, smoke bombs, fireworks, bottles and bricks were thrown at police at a stand-off with a gathered crowd in a third night of disorder. The Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service said that they attended the scene at 20:54 BST
A row of six police land rovers advanced on the crowd, with officers in full riot gear pushing a number of individuals back. In Ballymena, smoke bombs, fireworks, bottles and bricks were thrown at police during a stand-off with a gathered crowd.
Police also deployed dogs and water cannons. A row of six police Land Rovers advanced on the crowd, with officers in full riot gear pushing a number of individuals back.
Closer to Clonavon Terrace, the scene of most of the trouble during the first and second night of disorder, the windows of a residential property were smashed. Police also deployed dogs and water cannon.
Earlier on Wednesday it was confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas of affected. Closer to Clonavon Terrace, the scene of most of the clashes during the first and second night of disorder, the windows of a residential property were also smashed.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the violence was "racist thuggery targeted at ethnic minorities and police officers". Water cannon was deployed again on Wednesday night
The Doagh Road in Newtownabbey on Wednesday night
The PSNI also said fires were set within Cloughfern Roundabout in Newtownabbey.The PSNI also said fires were set within Cloughfern Roundabout in Newtownabbey.
"We are appealing to parents and guardians to check in on your young folk and see where they are. Youths are actively engaged in this criminal behaviour," they said."We are appealing to parents and guardians to check in on your young folk and see where they are. Youths are actively engaged in this criminal behaviour," they said.
Meanwhile, Translink said there were "severe delays and disruption" to trains on the Londonderry line because of "civil unrest" in Coleraine and "possible damage to rail tracks".Meanwhile, Translink said there were "severe delays and disruption" to trains on the Londonderry line because of "civil unrest" in Coleraine and "possible damage to rail tracks".
ACC Henderson says "It's hugely important that people realise there are consequences for this" Police have sent reinforcements to Ballymena as the violence continues to flare
ACC Henderson said all footage of incidents was being reviewed and prosecutions would come. Earlier on Wednesday it was confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas affected.
Police Scotland has agreed to a request to send officers, after police in Northern Ireland requested extra support under mutual aid arrangements. Police Scotland has agreed to send officers, after police in Northern Ireland requested extra support under mutual aid arrangements.
The deployment will involve an undisclosed number of public order officers trained to police civil unrest. The PSNI said they have requested 80 officers in Great Britain.The deployment will involve an undisclosed number of public order officers trained to police civil unrest. The PSNI said they have requested 80 officers in Great Britain.
"We're taking steps to increase available resources and are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place," he said. The Doagh Road in Newtownabbey on Wednesday night
Analysis: How a peaceful protest descended into hate-filled violence ACC Henderson said all footage of incidents was being reviewed and prosecutions would come.
"We... are surging a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place," he said.
He said this would impact communities as "vital resources" are being taken away from other areas.He said this would impact communities as "vital resources" are being taken away from other areas.
"It's hugely important that people realise there are consequences for this.""It's hugely important that people realise there are consequences for this."
Analysis: How a peaceful protest descended into hate-filled violence
The first protest was organised hours after two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court.The first protest was organised hours after two teenage boys appeared before Coleraine Magistrates' Court.
They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages. Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.They spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages. Their solicitor said they would be denying the charges.
BBC correspondent shows aftermath of Ballymena violent protests ACC Henderson said: "This violence only serves to undermine the criminal investigation and cause further distress and turmoil to a young victim and her family.
ACC Henderson said many people woke up on Wednesday "feeling genuine fear for their lives and their livelihoods".
"This violence only serves to undermine the criminal investigation and cause further distress and turmoil to a young victim and her family," he said.
"This violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge.""This violence threatens to derail the very pursuit of justice it claims to challenge."
BBC correspondent shows aftermath of Ballymena violent protests
Police said there have also been sporadic incidents of disorder in Carrickfergus, north Belfast and Newtownabbey, where one man was arrested.Police said there have also been sporadic incidents of disorder in Carrickfergus, north Belfast and Newtownabbey, where one man was arrested.
One man, 29, has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police after Monday's violence.One man, 29, has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police after Monday's violence.
ACC Henderson said "the power of social media" is "galvanising" some of the violent behaviour. ACC Henderson said many people woke up on Wednesday "feeling genuine fear for their lives and their livelihoods".
He added "the power of social media" is "galvanising" some of the violent behaviour.
"We have seen a number of calls over social media for protest activity this evening at various places within Northern Ireland," he said."We have seen a number of calls over social media for protest activity this evening at various places within Northern Ireland," he said.
Protesters throwing projectiles during the unrest in Ballymena on Tuesday
ACC Henderson also said that it is "absolutely of note" that petrol bombs and masonry were thrown at police during Monday and Tuesday night.
"There were people who were intent on violence right from the off, so that says to me that there was pre-planning involved from those who wanted to attack us."
Signs have appeared outside some homes in Ballymena to indicate the nationality of residents
Some homes have begun displaying stickers outlining the residents' nationalities. Signs which read "British household" and "Filipino lives here" could be seen on some doors.Some homes have begun displaying stickers outlining the residents' nationalities. Signs which read "British household" and "Filipino lives here" could be seen on some doors.
Businesses and homes were attacked and damaged and a number of vehicles were also set on fire in the area.Businesses and homes were attacked and damaged and a number of vehicles were also set on fire in the area.
Mika Kolev and her family have been living and working in Ballymena for about 10 years Signs have appeared outside some homes in Ballymena to indicate the nationality of residents
Mother-of-two Mika Kolev, who lives and works in Ballymena, said she was now fleeing her home with her family and is considering moving back to Bulgaria after her house was damaged in Tuesday's disorder.Mother-of-two Mika Kolev, who lives and works in Ballymena, said she was now fleeing her home with her family and is considering moving back to Bulgaria after her house was damaged in Tuesday's disorder.
"We know what's going to happen so it's not possible to wait and see what's going to happen," she said."We know what's going to happen so it's not possible to wait and see what's going to happen," she said.
"I have to save my children, I have to save them.""I have to save my children, I have to save them."
Mika Kolev and her family have been living and working in Ballymena for about 10 years
ACC Henderson also said that it is "absolutely of note" that petrol bombs and masonry were thrown at police during Monday and Tuesday night.
"There were people who were intent on violence right from the off, so that says to me that there was pre-planning involved from those who wanted to attack us."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he "utterly condemns" the violence.Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he "utterly condemns" the violence.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill said what was happening in Ballymena was "pure racism, there's no other way to dress it up".First Minister Michelle O'Neill said what was happening in Ballymena was "pure racism, there's no other way to dress it up".
Meanwhile, the Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the violence was "serving no purpose whatsoever" and was only damaging communities.Meanwhile, the Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said the violence was "serving no purpose whatsoever" and was only damaging communities.
The PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described the disorder as "mindless violence".The PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher described the disorder as "mindless violence".