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NI race riots: Total number of arrests rises to 41 as 16-year-old boy charged

NI race riots: Total number of arrests rises to 41 as 16-year-old boy charged

A 16-year-old boy and 21-year-old man have been charged with riot in relation to disorder which took place in Ballymena on June 9, and appeared in court on Wednesday June 26.
A 19-year-old man is also due before Coleraine Magistrates' Court today after being charged with riot.
Meanwhile, a 50-year-old female arrested in Portadown has been charged with four offences including intentionally encouraging riot and incitement to commit criminal damage. She is due before Craigavon Magistrates' Court on July 23.
As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
Watch: Footage released of Matthew Brogan who has been jailed after taking part in Belfast race riot 'out of boredom'
Disorder took place this month in several towns across Northern Ireland, fuelled by racial tensions.
What started as a vigil for a teenage girl on June 9 quickly escalated into riots targeting immigrant communities, triggered by the court appearance of two 14-year-old Romanian-speaking boys charged with attempted rape.
Violent scenes unfolded in towns like Ballymena, Portadown, Larne, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Derry, and east Belfast.
Rioters targeted immigrant homes and businesses, setting fires and launching petrol bombs, bricks, fireworks, and missiles.
Over 64 officers were injured across Northern Ireland, including 41 in Ballymena and 23 in Portadown.
One teenage rioter told police 'pure stupidity' was behind his reasoning for taking part in violent racially motivated disorder in Ballymena, it was revealed last week.

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