Latest news with #MidandEastAntrimBoroughCouncil
Belfast Telegraph
07-07-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Pools at leisure centre attacked during race riots to reopen in ‘coming weeks'
A leisure centre damaged during last month's outbreak of violence says it hopes to reopen its pools to the public in the coming weeks. A fire broke out at Larne Leisure Centre following vandalism at the facility in July. Masked individuals smashed windows at the leisure centre and set fires outside which spread inside. Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the facility had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in nearby Ballymena. Violence erupted in Ballymena following a peaceful protest over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace area. The disturbances in the Co Antrim town continued for several nights and spread to other areas including Portadown, Larne, Belfast, Carrickfergus, Londonderry and Coleraine. Following the attack, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council initially expected the leisure centre would be out of action for several months. But the council now says it is working to fully reopen the centre on a phased basis. A spokesperson for the council said: 'Damaged caused to Larne Leisure Centre following the recent unrest, has impacted everyone in the community, especially our young people as the schools break for the Summer. "The Council is working hard to reopen the centre as quickly as possible. PSNI say Portadown riots had 'more co-ordination' as mutual aid to be deployed this weekend 'The Café has reopened to the public, Larne Swim Club continue to utilise the pool for training, and plans are in place to fully reopen the pools for public use in the coming weeks (exact dates to be confirmed). 'In the meantime, arrangements are currently in place to facilitate the planned Children's Summer Scheme at Larne Grammar School.'
Irish Examiner
28-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Man arrested after slurry spread on road ahead of first Pride parade
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after slurry was sprayed on a road in Ballymena the night before the town hosts its first Pride parade. Police said they arrested the man after officers on patrol in the Granville Drive area observed slurry on the road at around 2.55am on Saturday. The 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a blade/point. He remains in police custody. 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 Police said the matter is being treated as a hate crime and inquiries are ongoing. 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 ahead 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. '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. 'I would urge anyone with any information about the incident to contact police or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers.'
Daily Mirror
28-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Hate crime horror as slurry spread hours before town's first-ever Pride parade
Police have launched an investigation into the incident, with a 19-year-old man arrested and condemnation from politicians over the horrific incident hours before people take to the streets Slurry was spread on the streets of a town just hours before its first Pride parade. An investigation has been launched after slurry was spread across Ballymena in Northern Ireland, hours before the first Pride parade in the town's history is set to start. Police said a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a bladed or pointed item. He remains in custody for questioning. The incident has been condemned widely, with North Antrim Alliance MLA Sian Mulholland speaking out what happened this morning. 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 ahead 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. "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. "I would urge anyone with any information about the incident to contact police or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers." At least one street on the parade route is believed to have been covered in faecal matter, with it leaving a foul stench in the town, Irish News reports. Justice Minister Naomi Long wrote 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." MLA Eoin Tennyson said on X: "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." A PSNI spokesperson 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.'
Irish Independent
28-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Teenager arrested after slurry spread on Ballymena streets hours before 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. The Pride parade is scheduled to take place this afternoon. Organisers have said the event is an effort to celebrate "diversity, inclusion and cross-community unity.' The slurry incident has been widely condemned today. Tánaiste Simon Harris condemned it as a 'vile act', saying: 'Love is love'. 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.' NI 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.'
Belfast Telegraph
28-06-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Teenager 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. The 19-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and possession of a bladed or pointed item. He remains in custody. The Pride parade is scheduled to take place this afternoon. Organisers have said the event is an effort to celebrate "diversity, inclusion and cross-community unity.' The slurry incident has been widely condemned today. 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. News Catch Up - Friday 27th June '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.'
