The second night of riots in Ballymena, sparked by protests over an alleged sexual assault, has left minority ethnic communities reeling, with homes torched, families displaced, and a pervasive sense of fear gripping immigrant residents.
As the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigates the attacks as racially motivated hate crimes, local organizations are stepping in to offer shelter and support to those targeted in the violence.
Terror and Displacement in Clonavon Terrace
The riots, which erupted on June 9 and continued into June 10, 2025, saw masked rioters attack homes and businesses in Ballymena’s Clonavon Terrace area, where a teenage girl was allegedly sexually assaulted on June 7. The PSNI reported that six homes were attacked, four damaged by fire, and three families evacuated, with many of the targeted properties belonging to immigrant families, including those of Romanian and other Eastern European descent.
A Romanian mother of three, who requested anonymity for safety, told Reuters on June 10 that her children were traumatized after rioters smashed their windows and attempted to set their house alight. “We barricaded ourselves in the attic, not knowing if we’d get out alive,” she said. “We can’t stay here anymore.”
The violence, described by PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson as “racist thuggery, pure and simple,” has forced at least a dozen families to seek temporary shelter with relatives or in community centers, according to the Ballymena Inter-Ethnic Forum.
The forum reported that many residents are too afraid to return home, with some considering leaving Northern Ireland entirely. “These families came here for a better life, and now they’re living in fear,” said forum coordinator Elena Popa.
The attacks have also disrupted livelihoods, with several minority-owned businesses, including a grocery store and a car wash, suffering significant damage, with repair costs estimated at £200,000 by local authorities.
Community support has emerged as a lifeline. The Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers launched a crowdfunding campaign on June 10, raising £15,000 by midday on June 11 to assist affected families with housing and repairs.
Local churches and mosques have opened their doors as safe havens, while volunteers are distributing food and clothing. Despite these efforts, the psychological toll remains heavy, with children reporting nightmares and parents expressing distrust in local safety measures.
ALSO READ | Youth and Crime: How Gangs Exploit Minors in Colombia’s Political Attacks
Rebuilding Trust Amid Rising Tensions
The riots have exposed deep-seated tensions in Ballymena, a town of 30,000 that has seen a growing immigrant population recently, particularly from Eastern Europe. The court appearance of two 14-year-old boys, charged with attempted rape and requiring a Romanian interpreter, fueled anti-immigrant sentiment, amplified by far-right groups, according to the PSNI.
While the victim’s family condemned the violence, emphasizing their desire for justice through legal means, the unrest has left minority communities feeling scapegoated. “We’re being punished for something we didn’t do,” said Mihai, a Romanian construction worker whose car was torched on June 10.
Efforts to rebuild trust are underway but face challenges. The PSNI has increased patrols in Clonavon Terrace and is engaging with minority community leaders to provide reassurance, with Henderson pledging “a significant policing presence” through June 15, 2025.
However, some residents question the police’s ability to prevent further attacks, citing the scale of the riots, which injured 15 officers and required water cannons and baton rounds to quell.
Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister Naomi Long, speaking on June 11, called for community dialogue to address underlying issues, announcing a £50,000 fund to support victimized families. “We must confront racism head-on and ensure everyone feels safe,” Long said.
The British government, through Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, condemned the violence as “unacceptable” on June 10, urging calm and promising support for the PSNI.
However, minority community advocates argue that broader action is needed to counter xenophobia, particularly in light of similar racially motivated unrest in Northern Ireland and England in 2024 following a stabbing in Southport.
“This isn’t just about Ballymena; it’s about a growing hostility that needs to be addressed at all levels,” said Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International Northern Ireland.
Did you know?
Northern Ireland’s minority ethnic population has grown by 40% since 2011, reaching 3.4% of the region’s 1.9 million residents in the 2021 census, with Ballymena hosting a significant Eastern European community, particularly from Romania and Poland.
Long-Term Impact on Community Cohesion
The riots risk deepening divisions in Ballymena, where the growing diversity brought by immigration has not always been met with acceptance. The 2021 census recorded that 3.4% of Northern Ireland’s population belongs to minority ethnic groups, a 40% increase since 2011, with Ballymena hosting significant Romanian and Polish communities.
The violence has strained relations between the minority ethnic groups and long-term residents, with some local residents expressing support for the grievances of the rioters while also condemning their methods.
A June 11 community meeting organized by Ballymena Borough Council saw heated exchanges, with residents debating immigration policies and community safety.
Local schools, where many minority children attend, are grappling with the fallout. Principals reported a 10% drop in attendance on June 10 and 11, as parents kept children home fearing further violence.
The Northern Ireland Department of Education has deployed counselors to support students, particularly those from affected families, but educators worry about long-term social integration.
“Kids are hearing racist slurs in the playground now,” said Maria Kelly, a primary school teacher. “We need to teach tolerance early to prevent this cycle from continuing.”
Community organizations are pushing for long-term solutions, including diversity training and public awareness campaigns. The Ballymena Inter-Ethnic Forum plans to launch a “Unity in Diversity” initiative in July 2025, aiming to foster dialogue through cultural events and workshops.
However, funding shortages and political polarization may hinder these efforts, with some local politicians hesitant to address immigration directly for fear of alienating voters.
International Echoes and Policy Implications
The Ballymena riots have drawn attention from international human rights groups, who see parallels with rising anti-immigrant violence across Europe, including recent unrest in Germany and France.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees issued a statement on June 11, 2025, urging the UK government to protect minority communities and address root causes of xenophobia.
The violence also raises questions about Northern Ireland’s post-Brexit social landscape, where economic pressures and border disputes have fueled tensions over identity and belonging.
Labour MPs are calling for stronger penalties for racially motivated attacks, putting pressure on the UK government to review its hate crime legislation. On June 11, MP Kate Hollern introduced a motion in Parliament to fund community cohesion programs across Northern Ireland, citing Ballymena as a “warning sign” of broader unrest.
Meanwhile, the PSNI is collaborating with police forces in England to share intelligence on far-right groups, which are suspected of coordinating online to incite violence. The coming months will test whether Ballymena can overcome this crisis and rebuild as a cohesive community or if divisions will deepen in the shadow of the Good Friday Agreement’s fragile peace.
Comments (0)
Please sign in to leave a comment