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| Portadown: Masonry thrown at police in fourth night of NI disorder | Portadown: Masonry thrown at police in fourth night of NI disorder |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| There was disorder in Northern Ireland for the fourth night in a row but at a lower level than seen earlier this week. | There was disorder in Northern Ireland for the fourth night in a row but at a lower level than seen earlier this week. |
| In Portadown, County Armagh, on Thursday a crowd pulled bricks and masonry from a derelict building which they threw at police. | In Portadown, County Armagh, on Thursday a crowd pulled bricks and masonry from a derelict building which they threw at police. |
| During the first three days of violence, which began in Ballymena, 41 officers were injured. Fifteen people have been arrested so far. | During the first three days of violence, which began in Ballymena, 41 officers were injured. Fifteen people have been arrested so far. |
| The disorder started on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town. | The disorder started on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town. |
| In Portadown, police put out a warning on loudspeakers that they would fire baton rounds if the crowd did not disperse. | In Portadown, police put out a warning on loudspeakers that they would fire baton rounds if the crowd did not disperse. |
| There was a heavy police presence in the centre of Portadown where around 400 protesters gathered on Thursday evening. | There was a heavy police presence in the centre of Portadown where around 400 protesters gathered on Thursday evening. |
| Police extinguished a fire in Portadown on Thursday night | Police extinguished a fire in Portadown on Thursday night |
| More than 20 police vehicles were parked along the main street and officers in riot gear blocked a number of roads. | More than 20 police vehicles were parked along the main street and officers in riot gear blocked a number of roads. |
| There was a peaceful protest earlier in the town but some disturbances developed, with masonry, including an empty beer keg, being thrown at police. | There was a peaceful protest earlier in the town but some disturbances developed, with masonry, including an empty beer keg, being thrown at police. |
| A police helicopter also hovered over the town centre and officers had to extinguish a number of fires. | A police helicopter also hovered over the town centre and officers had to extinguish a number of fires. |
| Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Jonathan Buckley called for "calm". | Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Jonathan Buckley called for "calm". |
| He said: "Nobody wants to see violence on our streets no matter where they come from in Northern Ireland. The scenes over the past few days have been disturbing." | He said: "Nobody wants to see violence on our streets no matter where they come from in Northern Ireland. The scenes over the past few days have been disturbing." |
| Earlier, a housing association warned its residents to leave their homes and take measures to protect their properties ahead of the protest. | Earlier, a housing association warned its residents to leave their homes and take measures to protect their properties ahead of the protest. |
| There was a heavy police presence in the centre of Portadown | There was a heavy police presence in the centre of Portadown |
| Meanwhile in Ballymena, there was also a police presence, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area, with a number of landrovers parked at locations where there had previously been trouble. | Meanwhile in Ballymena, there was also a police presence, mainly in the Clonavon Terrace area, with a number of landrovers parked at locations where there had previously been trouble. |
| However, after three nights of violent disorder, the rioters stayed away. | However, after three nights of violent disorder, the rioters stayed away. |
| An anti-racism protest in west Belfast | An anti-racism protest in west Belfast |
| On Thursday evening, around 100 people turned up at an anti-racism protest in west Belfast. Members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) trade union and representatives from People Before Profit addressed the crowd. | On Thursday evening, around 100 people turned up at an anti-racism protest in west Belfast. Members of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA) trade union and representatives from People Before Profit addressed the crowd. |
| A number of people wearing black face coverings were also present. | A number of people wearing black face coverings were also present. |
| It passed off peacefully. | It passed off peacefully. |
| 'Families hid in attics' | 'Families hid in attics' |
| In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable said families hid in attics and wardrobes during violent disorder in Ballymena this week. | In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable said families hid in attics and wardrobes during violent disorder in Ballymena this week. |
| Jon Boutcher described the violence as "racist", adding "the people who are threatening families who are different to them - that is racism". | Jon Boutcher described the violence as "racist", adding "the people who are threatening families who are different to them - that is racism". |
| Mr Boutcher said after a peaceful protest was "hijacked" on Monday evening, police and the fire service had to help families "who have done nothing wrong". | Mr Boutcher said after a peaceful protest was "hijacked" on Monday evening, police and the fire service had to help families "who have done nothing wrong". |
| He added that: "We stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with the diverse communities in Northern Ireland. | He added that: "We stand absolutely shoulder to shoulder with the diverse communities in Northern Ireland. |
| "These bigots and racists will not win the day." | "These bigots and racists will not win the day." |
| Analysis: BBC News NI communities correspondent Mark Simpson reporting from Portadown | |
| The scale of the police operation in Portadown town centre showed how worried the PSNI were about an outbreak of full-scale violence. | |
| There were officers and vehicles on every street corner, with a helicopter and a drone keeping watch from above. | |
| For many newcomer families in the town, it was an evening of trepidation, and some left their homes for the night. | |
| It may be summer and it may be 2025, but it felt like a dark day from Northern Ireland's past as Portadown was filled with fear. | |
| The Chief Constable Jon Boutcher says "Don't come out onto the streets tonight" | The Chief Constable Jon Boutcher says "Don't come out onto the streets tonight" |
| 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. |
| Mr Boutcher said in addition to the two teenagers who have been arrested and charged, there was "a third suspect who is currently outside the jurisdiction". | Mr Boutcher said in addition to the two teenagers who have been arrested and charged, there was "a third suspect who is currently outside the jurisdiction". |
| "We will be bringing him back into the jurisdiction," he added. | "We will be bringing him back into the jurisdiction," he added. |
| Mr Boutcher said the family of the young girl wanted the violence to stop. | Mr Boutcher said the family of the young girl wanted the violence to stop. |
| "She's been further traumatised by what has happened over the last three nights," he said. | "She's been further traumatised by what has happened over the last three nights," he said. |
| Analysis: Does the PSNI have the resources needed to deal with the riots? | Analysis: Does the PSNI have the resources needed to deal with the riots? |
| Police have described the disorder as "racist thuggery, pure and simple" and targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement. | Police have described the disorder as "racist thuggery, pure and simple" and targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement. |
| Over the three days in Ballymena, police officers came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. | Over the three days in Ballymena, police officers came under sustained attack with petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction. |
| Mr Boutcher called on those involved to stop and warned there would be prosecutions. | Mr Boutcher called on those involved to stop and warned there would be prosecutions. |
| "Don't come out onto the streets tonight. If you do we will police you, and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system. | "Don't come out onto the streets tonight. If you do we will police you, and we will deal with you through the criminal justice system. |
| "We'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them." | "We'll be releasing images of those responsible. We will be going after them." |
| He said that three young people were in court in Ballymena on Thursday and remanded into custody for "these disturbances". | He said that three young people were in court in Ballymena on Thursday and remanded into custody for "these disturbances". |
| Jody Esguerra has been helping others find somewhere safe to stay | Jody Esguerra has been helping others find somewhere safe to stay |
| Jody Esguerra is an outreach worker for the Filipino community and has been helping others find somewhere safe to stay. | Jody Esguerra is an outreach worker for the Filipino community and has been helping others find somewhere safe to stay. |
| He said he received reports of a family that was "stuck inside" their home with "mobs and protesters" trying to enter, while "smashing the windows and throwing projectiles". | He said he received reports of a family that was "stuck inside" their home with "mobs and protesters" trying to enter, while "smashing the windows and throwing projectiles". |
| "They're scared for their lives", he said, and added that they don't feel "welcome" anymore. | "They're scared for their lives", he said, and added that they don't feel "welcome" anymore. |
| He said the family "didn't expect any of this to happen". | He said the family "didn't expect any of this to happen". |
| They were woken up by "loud noises" and realised people were "throwing rocks at their door… and all tried to hide". | They were woken up by "loud noises" and realised people were "throwing rocks at their door… and all tried to hide". |
| The Social Democrat and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna described the scenes in Ballymena over the past few days as "dystopian". | The Social Democrat and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna described the scenes in Ballymena over the past few days as "dystopian". |
| "It was one of the most disturbing things I've seen in this very, very challenged place," she said. | "It was one of the most disturbing things I've seen in this very, very challenged place," she said. |
| The Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma says "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained" | The Policing Board Chair Mukesh Sharma says "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained" |
| Mukesh Sharma, the chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "This violence is racism – pure and simple." | Mukesh Sharma, the chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said: "This violence is racism – pure and simple." |
| He said: "It is hard to find the words to describe the scenes of vitriol and hatred on our streets," adding that it is "mindless violence that is simply wrecking communities". | He said: "It is hard to find the words to describe the scenes of vitriol and hatred on our streets," adding that it is "mindless violence that is simply wrecking communities". |
| "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained." | "This violence needs to stop before a life is lost or serious injuries sustained." |
| Watch: Leisure centre set on fire in third night of violence in Northern Ireland | Watch: Leisure centre set on fire in third night of violence in Northern Ireland |
| On Wednesday, the PSNI confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas affected. | On Wednesday, the PSNI confirmed that a significant number of extra police officers were being deployed into areas affected. |
| Police Scotland has agreed 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. |
| In Larne, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire on Wednesday. | In Larne, masked youths attacked a leisure centre and set it on fire on Wednesday. |
| The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier in the week, the council said. | The centre had been providing emergency shelter for families following the clashes earlier in the week, the council said. |
| There have also been incidents in Carrickfergus, Coleraine, north Belfast and Newtownabbey. | There have also been incidents in Carrickfergus, Coleraine, north Belfast and Newtownabbey. |
| Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill said the disorder was "racism in its rawest" | Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill said the disorder was "racism in its rawest" |
| Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill, who competed in both the Paris and Tokyo Games, was at the facility when the attacks took place. | Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill, who competed in both the Paris and Tokyo Games, was at the facility when the attacks took place. |
| She took the decision to cancel swimming lessons after spotting four masked men near the centre. | She took the decision to cancel swimming lessons after spotting four masked men near the centre. |
| The 25-year-old said: "I mean, it's sad. It's awful. I lay awake last night. When there's kids involved it's upsetting. | The 25-year-old said: "I mean, it's sad. It's awful. I lay awake last night. When there's kids involved it's upsetting. |
| "It shouldn't be happening. There was no need for the violence." | "It shouldn't be happening. There was no need for the violence." |
| In a statement, a council spokesperson said they were "assessing the significant damage" and that "the centre remains closed". | In a statement, a council spokesperson said they were "assessing the significant damage" and that "the centre remains closed". |