‘Disgusting and deliberate': Spreading of slurry on Ballymena Pride route being treated as a hate crime
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after slurry was sprayed on a road in
Ballymena
, Co Antrim, the night before the town hosts its first
Pride
parade.
The
Police Service of Northern Ireland
(PSNI) said the man was arrested after officers on patrol in the Granville Drive area observed slurry on the road at around 2.55am on Saturday.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a blade/point. He remains in police custody.
Police said the matter is being treated as a hate crime and inquiries are ongoing.
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North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland condemned the incident. She said the Pride parade, due to take place on Saturday, will be the first in the town's history.
'I want to unreservedly condemn those who spread slurry on the streets of Ballymena in advance of the town's first-ever Pride parade today,' she said.
'There is no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt, or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration of love, identity, and community.'
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Ms Mulholland said she had spoken with the parade organisers and the PSNI and talks had taken place with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to ensure 'cleansing takes place urgently and the route is made safe and welcoming for all'.
In a post on X, Stormont justice minister
Naomi Long
said: 'I despair the mentality of those who spread slurry on the streets of their town motivated by hate and bigotry. Disgusting in every sense of the word. Solidarity to all at Ballymena Pride. It's a frightening time but love will always triumph over hate.' – PA
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Teen, 19, arrested over ‘hate crime' after slurry spread in Antrim town hours before first Pride parade
A TEENAGER has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after slurry was sprayed on a road in an Irish town in Co Antrim - hours before the town's first Pride parade. The The suspect was arrested on "suspicion of criminal damage" and possession of a blade/point. He remains in police custody at this time. The cops reported that the matter is "being treated as a hate The shocking incident occurred just hours before READ MORE ON LGBT+ The parade will kick off at 2pm and finish an hour later at Greenvale Street, among the affected areas. The route takes in Waveney Road, Galgorm Road, Lower Mill Street, Wellington Street, Broughshane Street, William Street and Ballymoney Street. The PSNI confirmed there will be an increased police presence to ensure everyone's safety during the event and urged everyone to follow the instructions of officers and respect others. They added: "We want members of our Most read in Irish News SDLP Councillor Seamas de Faoite has condemned the teen's "shameful" actions after the slurry was deliberately spread along the route of the parade. He said: "Let's be absolutely clear: this was a calculated attempt to intimidate the LGBTQ+ community and spoil what should be a day of joy, visibility and solidarity in Ballymena. Natasha O'Brien calls for hate crime legislation to be enacted at Dublin's Pride festival "But they failed. The hundreds of people who will turn out to support Mid & East Antrim Pride showed that love and inclusion will always outshine hate." 'FIGHTING FOR A SOCIETY THAT'S SAFE' Cllr de Faoite praised parade organisers and volunteers for their leadership and determination to ensure the parade continues, despite efforts to disrupt it. He added: "Today was a historic first for Ballymena, and the SDLP stands shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ+ community here and across the North, and we'll keep fighting for a society that's safe, equal and proud." Posting on social media, "Solidarity to all at Ballymena Pride. It's a frightening time but love will always triumph over hate." Eoin Tennyson MLA said: "Sending my support and solidarity to everyone attending Ballymena Pride today, after bigots spread slurry on the parade route. "At a time when hard-won rights are under attack, vigilance and visibility matter more than ever. Love will always trump hate." INFO PLEA The cops have urged people with information to come forward to assist their ongoing probe into the hate crime. The spokesperson said: " Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting reference number 191 of 28/06/25. " Alternatively, they can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form on their official website. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at 1 PSNI has arrested a 19-year-old man for his 'shameful' actions hours before the Pride parade Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Sunday World
2 hours ago
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Teen arrested after slurry spread in Ballymena hours before town's first Pride parade
Police are treating the incident, which happened overnight, as a hate crime. A teenager has been arrested after slurry was spread on the streets of Ballymena - hours before the town's first Pride parade. Police are treating the incident, which happened overnight, as a hate crime. The 19-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a bladed or pointed item. He remains in custody. Local people and businesses took part in a clean-up operation this morning. The Pride parade is scheduled to take place this afternoon. The clean-up operation in Ballymena today. Photo: Scott Cuthbertson/Facebook News in 90 Seconds - June 28th It is to start at 2pm and finish up at Greenvale Street, which is among the areas affected, an hour later. The route takes in Waveney Road, Galgorm Road, Lower Mill Street, Wellington Street, Broughshane Street, William Street and Ballymoney Street. An application lodged with the Parades Commission said 1,500 participants and 2,000 spectators are expected. Organisers have said the event is an effort to celebrate "diversity, inclusion and cross-community unity.' The slurry incident has been widely condemned today. Scott Cuthbertson from The Rainbow Project said those responsible were 'disgusting bigots'. 'A huge thank you to the local businesses who have rallied round to clean up the mess. The lesson for these bigots – Pride goes on,' he said. Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland said 'There is no place for this kind of disgusting and deliberate attempt to intimidate, disrupt or shame those taking part in a peaceful and joyful celebration of love, identity and community. 'I have spoken directly with the parade organisers and the PSNI, and our team has engaged with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to ensure cleansing takes place urgently and the route is made safe and welcoming for all. 'Ballymena Pride is a historic and hopeful moment for our town. No amount of hate will drown out the message of inclusion, solidarity, and pride that today represents.' Justice Minister Naomi Long said on X: 'I despair the mentality of those who spread slurry on the streets of their town motivated by hate and bigotry. Disgusting in every sense of the word. 'Solidarity to all at Ballymena Pride. It's a frightening time but love will always triumph over hate.' The PSNI said: 'Police in Ballymena have arrested a man after officers on patrol in the Granville Drive area observed slurry on the road at around 2.55am this morning. 'A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a blade/point. He remains in police custody at this time. 'The matter is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.'
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