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Violence

Violence Erupts in Ballymena Over Sexual Assault of Teenage Girl

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Hundreds of residents gathered in a rally after a 15-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Ballymena. The rally descended into violence, with windows smashed in six houses and two set on fire, injuring 15 police officers. The violence was condemned by all parties in the Assembly, with local politicians highlighting concerns about integration, immigration, and demographic change in the area.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two boys, aged [not specified], were charged with sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and appeared before Coleraine magistrates' court on Monday.
  • The rally held in Ballymena on Monday evening descended into violence, with windows smashed in six houses and two set on fire.
  • Fifteen police officers were injured in the disorder, which went on for several hours.
  • The violence was condemned by all parties in the Assembly, with politicians highlighting concerns about integration, immigration, and demographic change in the area.
  • MP Jim Allister blamed "the failure of successive authorities to manage integration or address local concerns" for the violence.
  • Leader of the Opposition Matthew O'Toole criticized Allister's comments, saying they were "disgraceful" and "deeply irresponsible and deeply unhelpful".
  • North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston repeated concerns about immigration during a debate on the matter in the Assembly.
  • Gaston condemned the violence and tensions in the community, blaming the "significant demographic change" in recent years.
  • DUP MLA Trevor Clarke condemned the violence, saying it was "despicable" and affecting innocent people.
  • Ulster Unionist MLA Colin Crawford called for "justice to be delivered in the court and not on our streets".

Statistics:

  • 15 police officers were injured in the disorder.
  • Two houses were set on fire.
  • Six houses had their windows smashed.
  • Two boys accused of sexually assaulting the 15-year-old girl (ages not specified) appeared before Coleraine magistrates' court on Monday.
  • Ten police officers were either hospitalized or went home with injuries.

Sources:

  • [David Thompson, article, publication date not specified]
  • [TUV MP Jim Allister, article, publication date not specified]
  • [SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole, article, publication date not specified]
  • [North Antrim MLA Timothy Gaston, article, publication date not specified]
  • [DUP MLA Trevor Clarke, article, publication date not specified]
  • [Ulster Unionist MLA Colin Crawford, article, publication date not specified]
  • [Sian Mulholland, Alliance MLA, article, publication date not specified]

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