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| Larne: Leisure centre attacked in third night of violence in Northern Ireland | |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Masked young people have attacked Larne Leisure Centre | Masked young people have attacked Larne Leisure Centre |
| A leisure centre in Larne was attacked as a third night of violence broke out in Northern Ireland on Wednesday. | |
| During the violence on Monday and Tuesday, the worst of which took place in Ballymena, 32 officers were injured and six people arrested. | |
| 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. | |
| The disorder first began on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena. | |
| 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. | |
| A crowd of about 50 people were watching the dozen or so individuals target the centre. | A crowd of about 50 people were watching 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. | |
| Two pumping appliances and a flexi officer attended, with 16 personnel in total. | |
| NIRFS said that the fire was still ongoing but under control and there was mainly damage to the front reception of the leisure centre but extensive smoke damage. | |
| Emergency services are at Larne Leisure Centre | Emergency services are at Larne Leisure Centre |
| Local Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly, who was at the leisure centre on Wednesday evening, told BBC News NI that there was "absolute disorder". | Local Alliance Party MLA Danny Donnelly, who was at the leisure centre on Wednesday evening, told BBC News NI that there was "absolute disorder". |
| He added that the town "does not need this" and that it was "heartbreaking". | He added that the town "does not need this" and that it was "heartbreaking". |
| He called the group carrying out the attack "thugs" and that he was "absolutely disgusted". | He called the group carrying out the attack "thugs" and that he was "absolutely disgusted". |
| 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". | 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". |
| Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has condemned the damage inflicted on Larne Leisure Centre and said it only serves to hurt residents of the town. | |
| He said: "The violence and disorder witnessed on our streets over recent nights serves no purpose. | 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." | "Wanton destruction such as the attack on Larne Leisure Centre is an attack on all residents who use the facility." |
| What is happening in Ballymena? | |
| There was a large police presence in Ballymena on Wednesday evening | |
| Meanwhile in Ballymena, there is a large police presence and crowds have been told to disperse or force would be used. | Meanwhile in Ballymena, there is a large police presence and crowds have been told to disperse or force would be used. |
| Smoke bombs, fireworks, bottles and bricks have been thrown at police at a stand-off with a gathered crowd. | |
| A row of six police land rovers advanced on the crowd, with officers in full riot gear pushing a number of individuals back. | |
| This marks the third night of disorder in the town. | |
| Earlier on Wednesday it was confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas of Northern Ireland affected. | |
| Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the violence was "racist thuggery targeted at ethnic minorities and police officers". | |
| ACC Henderson says "It's hugely important that people realise there are consequences for this" | ACC Henderson says "It's hugely important that people realise there are consequences for this" |
| ACC Henderson said all footage of incidents was being reviewed and prosecutions would come. | ACC Henderson said all footage of incidents was being reviewed and prosecutions would come. |
| 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 a request 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. | "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. |
| Analysis: How a peaceful protest descended into hate-filled violence | Analysis: How a peaceful protest descended into hate-filled violence |
| "This will have an impact on our communities. This will take away vital resources needed to police other areas. It will have an impact on our ability to serve communities," he added. | "This will have an impact on our communities. This will take away vital resources needed to police other areas. It will have an impact on our ability to serve communities," he added. |
| "It's hugely important that people realise there are consequences for this." | "It's hugely important that people realise there are consequences for this." |
| 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 | BBC correspondent shows aftermath of Ballymena violent protests |
| ACC Henderson said many people woke up on Wednesday "feeling genuine fear for their lives and their livelihoods". | 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 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." |
| 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. |
| Homes in north Belfast were damaged with windows smashed on Tuesday night and a number of vehicles were set on fire. The PSNI said the incidents are being treated as racially-motivated hate crimes. | Homes in north Belfast were damaged with windows smashed on Tuesday night and a number of vehicles were set on fire. The PSNI said the incidents are being treated as racially-motivated hate crimes. |
| 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. |
| The worst of the disorder took place in Ballymena, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area. Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. | The worst of the disorder took place in Ballymena, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area. Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. |
| ACC Henderson said "the power of social media" is "galvanising" some of the violent behaviour. | ACC Henderson said "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. |
| The constable added that he is "absolutely alert" that "we could see more tonight", but added that "at this stage it's too early to judge". | The constable added that he is "absolutely alert" that "we could see more tonight", but added that "at this stage it's too early to judge". |
| Protesters throwing projectiles during the unrest in Ballymena on Tuesday | 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. | 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." | "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." |
| "A number of other protests, attacks on homes and disorder took place in Belfast Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey," he said. | "A number of other protests, attacks on homes and disorder took place in Belfast Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey," he said. |
| Authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and a water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. | Authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) and a water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds. |
| Signs have appeared outside some homes in Ballymena to indicate the nationality of residents | 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. |
| A clean-up operation commenced on Wednesday, with debris and burning items being cleared from the roads. Scorch marks and melted bins could be seen on the streets. | A clean-up operation commenced on Wednesday, with debris and burning items being cleared from the roads. Scorch marks and melted bins could be seen on the streets. |
| 'Pure racism' | 'Pure racism' |
| Mika Kolev and her family have been living and working in Ballymena for about 10 years | Mika Kolev and her family have been living and working in Ballymena for about 10 years |
| 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." |
| The family was in the process of moving following Monday night's violence. | The family was in the process of moving following Monday night's violence. |
| Mika said she watched her home being attacked on social media by "angry children". | Mika said she watched her home being attacked on social media by "angry children". |
| "This is my house, I pay rent. I feel like this is my country, this is my city. My daughter was born here. It's very scary." | "This is my house, I pay rent. I feel like this is my country, this is my city. My daughter was born here. It's very scary." |
| 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". |
| "These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection." | "These criminal acts not only endanger lives but also risk undermining the ongoing criminal justice process led by the PSNI in support of a victim who deserves truth, justice, and protection." |