Latest news with #ClonavonTerrace
The Independent
13 hours ago
- The Independent
Teenage boys accused of Ballymena sex assault appear before court again
Two 14-year-old boys charged with the attempted rape of a girl in Ballymena have appeared before a judge again. The boys have been charged in connection with an alleged serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area of the Co Antrim town last month. The incident sparked days of race-related anti-immigration rioting in Ballymena, with linked sporadic outbreaks of violence in other parts of Northern Ireland. The case was mentioned at a youth court sitting in Ballymena on Wednesday morning. The two teenagers, who interacted with court through a Romanian interpreter, appeared together via video-link from a juvenile justice centre. They were originally remanded into custody at their first court appearance two days after the alleged attack in June. During Wednesday's brief hearing before district judge Nigel Broderick a prosecution lawyer said a file on the case was still being prepared. The prosecutor said she would confirm to the court at the next sitting whether an achieving best evidence (ABE) interview had been completed with the alleged victim. Both boys are accused of attempting to orally rape the girl. At their first court appearance last month, a judge was told both accused denied the alleged offence during interview with police. The teenagers spoke briefly during Wednesday's hearing to confirm they understood what was being discussed in court. The boys were further remanded in custody as the case was listed again for a further review hearing on July 16. Legal representatives for both accused did not raise any objections to their further remand into custody.
Irish Times
13 hours ago
- Irish Times
Teenage boys accused of attempted rape of Ballymena girl appear before court again
Two 14-year-old boys charged with the attempted rape of a girl in Ballymena have appeared before a judge again. The boys have been charged in connection with an alleged serious sexual assault on a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area of the Co Antrim town last month. The incident sparked days of race-related anti-immigration rioting in Ballymena, with linked sporadic outbreaks of violence in other parts of Northern Ireland. The case was mentioned at a youth court sitting in Ballymena on Wednesday morning. READ MORE The two teenagers, who interacted with court through a Romanian interpreter, appeared together via video-link from a juvenile justice centre. They were originally remanded into custody at their first court appearance two days after the alleged attack in June. During Wednesday's brief hearing before district judge Nigel Broderick a prosecution lawyer said a file on the case was still being prepared. The prosecutor said she would confirm to the court at the next sitting whether an achieving best evidence (ABE) interview had been completed with the alleged victim. Both boys are accused of attempting to orally rape the girl. At their first court appearance last month, a judge was told both accused denied the alleged offence during interview with police. The teenagers spoke briefly during Wednesday's hearing to confirm they understood what was being discussed in court. The boys were further remanded in custody as the case was listed again for a further review hearing on July 16th. Legal representatives for both accused did not raise any objections to their further remand into custody. - PA
The Independent
11-06-2025
- The Independent
Ballymena riots: Fireworks and petrol bombs thrown at police as violence erupts
Fireworks and petrol bombs were thrown at police as violence erupted for a second night in a row in Northern Ireland on Tuesday (11 June). Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannons as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. It came after similar violent disorder around Clonavon Terrace in the town on Monday night, following an earlier peaceful protest in the day which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Riot police respond to second night of violence in Ballymena
Police came under attack as violent disorder erupted for a second night in a row in Northern Ireland on Tuesday. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds, and used water cannons as well as dog units as part of its response to the disorder. In a statement, the PSNI said calm had been restored in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road and Bridge Street areas by around 1am on Wednesday. The force said there had also been 'sporadic disorder' in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well incidents in north Belfast. It came after similar violent disorder around Clonavon Terrace in the town on Monday night, following an earlier peaceful protest in the day which was organised in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the area. The Prime Minister's official spokesman described those events – which saw police and ethnic minorities targeted – as 'very concerning'. A senior police officer condemned the disorder as 'racist thuggery'. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson issued a public appeal for information and said the PSNI was actively working to identify those responsible for the 'racially motivated disorder in Ballymena and bring them to justice'. He said the service would deploy significant resources to any further disorder during the week. On Tuesday evening, riot police were deployed to residential streets around Clonavon Terrace on Tuesday as hundreds of people gathered in the area from approximately 7pm. The PSNI formed barricades while officers wearing armour and shields also responded to the disorder. Some masked protesters shouted abuse and threw objects at the police, including fireworks, glass bottles and pieces of metal. The PSNI advised those present to disperse and warned that water cannon would be deployed against those participating in violent activity. Police fired plastic baton rounds at some of those gathered and also used water cannons to disperse the crowd. Many young children were present among those gathered near police lines. As rioters were dispersed into other parts of the town as the evening progressed into night, a property on Bridge Street and a home on Queen Street were set on fire. Other properties had windows smashed as some residents chose to display signs about the nationalities of those normally resident, including one saying 'British household' and another with 'Filipino lives here'. Multiple cars were also set on fire as part of blazes set by rioters, including near a car wash and tyre centre off Bridge Street and on Larne Street. The clothing of at least one participant caught fire during the disorder. The PSNI cleared streets and allowed gaps in its barricades for firefighters to tackle fires in the town as chaotic scenes continued past midnight. Officers also used a drone as part of the response to illegal activity, which saw some rioters kick in doors and ransack homes. The Northern Ireland Secretary has said there is 'no justification' for attacks on police officers or vandalism. In a social media post, Hilary Benn said: 'The terrible scenes of civil disorder we have witnessed in Ballymena again this evening have no place in Northern Ireland. 'There is absolutely no justification for attacks on PSNI officers or for vandalism directed at people's homes or property.' During Monday's disorder, 15 police officers were injured and several PSNI vehicles were damaged. In Clonavon Terrace, several houses had their windows smashed and two which suffered significant smoke damage remained sealed off on Tuesday. A 29-year-old man was charged with riotous behaviour after being arrested on Monday night. Mr Henderson said other arrests are expected following the examination of video footage. The earlier peaceful protest formed in support of the family of the girl. Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. On Tuesday, the PSNI said it had made a third arrest in connection with the incident and reiterated a public appeal for information. Detective Inspector Olphert from the PSNI's public protection branch said: 'A 28-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening, Monday June 9. 'He has been unconditionally released from police custody following questioning.' At a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Henderson said the attacks should be 'loudly condemned by all right-thinking people'. 'Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced,' he said at a press conference at Ballymena police station earlier on Tuesday. He said members of the minority ethnic community 'felt fear' and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community. Mr Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: 'The disorder we saw in Ballymena is very concerning. 'Obviously, the reports of sexual assault in the area are extremely distressing, but there is no justification for attacks on police officers while they continue to protect local communities. 'PSNI and the justice system must be allowed to carry out their jobs and our thoughts are with the victims of the assault as well as the police officers who were injured.'
BreakingNews.ie
10-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Romanian mother afraid to stay in street after ‘racist' attack
A Romanian mother who lives in one of the houses attacked during violence in Ballymena said she had been left too scared to stay in the area. The mother-of-three said her children were asking why their house was being attacked during disturbances in the Co Antrim town on Monday night. Advertisement Several properties were damaged on Clonavon Terrace in attacks which police have described as 'racist thuggery'. The violence followed an earlier protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend. Damaged property at Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena (Jonathan McCambridge/PA) Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape. The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter. The PA news agency spoke to a number of residents of houses in the street on Tuesday who said they now intended to leave the area. Advertisement The woman from Romania, who said she was too afraid to give her name, said she tried to flee her house after the front window was broken. She said: 'The children were asking me why are we being attacked. 'I don't want to stay here now, the children are afraid and I am afraid.' A Romanian man said he had lived in the area for 15 years. Advertisement He said: 'We don't even know why this happened to us. 'The riots started last night. We didn't expect it to come to our house. 'We tried to get out of the house and go to a safe place. 'I have lived here 15 years. Everything else has been nice, everything has been OK. Advertisement 'I have so many friends in Ballymena, I have got so much support. 'Everyone was texting and asking us if we are OK, if we are safe, if they can do anything for us.' He added: 'I am lucky because the damage here is not too bad, but my sister has three kids, I have a little girl. 'We are going to live in a friend's house for a while and then try to move out of here.' Advertisement Ireland Ballymena violence after alleged sex attack was 'r... Read More He said: 'I like to believe I am a Ballymena man now, I have been living here half of my life. 'I understand if people want to protest but it did not have to be like this. 'We should not have to pay the price.'
