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Belfast Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI release images of four people detectives wish to question in relation to race riots in NI
Dozens of officers have been injured in what has been dubbed a 'week of shame' after disorder began in Ballymena on Monday and spread to other parts of the region. It followed an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said large scale police deployments were visible across NI last night including in Portadown where officers came under 'significant and sustained attack' from rioters. 'Today, in the latest phase of our investigation, we are releasing the images of four individuals we want to identify and interview in connection with our ongoing investigation into the disorder of the past days," he added. 'In releasing these images, I am asking the wider community to step forward and help us to identify these individuals. It is in all of our interests, and in the interests of justice, that those responsible are dealt with and I would urge anyone who may have information to bring it forward. 'If you are able to identify any of the people shown in these images or can provide information about them should contact us on 101 or on our major incident portal, which is accessible on our website.' There have been incidents in other towns, including the burning of Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday and an arson attack on a house in Coleraine in the early hours of Friday from which a man and woman, and four young children escaped. It is being treated by police as arson with a racially motivated hate element. Twenty-two police officers were injured in overnight disorder in Portadown after they came under sustained attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the Co Armagh town on Thursday. ACC Henderson said the disorder was brought under control using a range of public order tactics and by making proactive arrests. 'Over the course of the 4 nights violence 63 officer have been injured. Many of those officers stayed on the line despite their injuries. I commend their bravery and determination. These are men and women working to protect their communities and the attacks against them must stop," he said. 'Some of those perpetrating this violence claim to be protecting women and girls. This is simply not true, they are criminal acts. Destroying and vandalising local communities do not make our towns safer for women and girls and to claim otherwise is nonsense. Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we will work hard for justice for any reporting female. 'To those posting hate on social media, inciting disorder or being seen to commit disorder we are actively investigating what you have said and what you have been captured doing.' The senior police officer promised a large policing presence across NI over the weekend as he welcomed a peaceful night in Ballymena on Thursday. 'This will include the deployment of Mutual Aid resources from Scotland and we are grateful to Chief Constable Farrell and her colleagues for their support. These officers, trained to work in our environment, will be working side by side with their PSNI colleagues at various locations as part of our policing operation," Mr Henderson continued. 'Finally, I would reiterate my appeal for calm in the days ahead. Let Northern Ireland return to normal and start the process of recovery.' 'If you have any information or wish to submit photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, this can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal.' A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.
Belfast Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
‘Unprecedented' number of families feel unsafe after four nights of violence that left 63 officers injured
Chair of Police Federation says 63 officers injured in 'week of shame' Liam Kelly, Chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, says 63 officers have been injured during what he calls a 'week of shame' with appalling levels of unrest in towns and cities. Mr Kelly said: "Yet again, our overstretched police officers have also been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks as they sought to keep people safe and maintain law and order." Mr Kelly said that since violence erupted officers "have held the line with great courage and professionalism and are owed a debt of gratitude by this community". "They went to the aid of vulnerable people, have prevented further savage attacks and have undoubtedly saved lives," he continued. Mr Kelly wished the 63 injured officers a "speedy recovery" and called for attacks on officers to stop. 'This has been a week of shame with hate-filled rioters turning our streets into battle zones targeting people and property simply because of their perceived nationality or the colour of their skin," he added. 'They didn't care who they hurt. Fathers, mothers and young children were their targets. They have damaged Northern Ireland's image and done an enormous disservice to all of us." Mr Kelly said additional resources have been secured under Mutual Aid and that officers will continue to police "our society without fear or favour and all persons". 'As we head into the weekend, I would once again appeal for calm," he said. "Bringing violence, fear and uncertainty to our streets is totally unacceptable and must stop. 'I would ask all parents to speak with their children, know where they are going in the evenings, and actively encourage them to be civically responsible. " DUP MP expresses concerns over 'policing operation' in Portadown DUP MP Carla Lockhart has expressed her "very real concerns" over how the "policing operation" was carried out in Portadown on Thursday night and has requested a meeting with local policing commanders. Ms Lockhart posted on Facebook on Friday urging people to "keep calm heads" and said "violence is not the answer". "The hypocrisy of those with convictions for serious crimes and acts of terrorism, or who celebrate those who committed these acts of terror, now attempting to lecture others on right and wrong is not lost on the wider community, and is certainly not helpful," she said. "There are very real concerns about how last night's policing operation was carried out. "Having been on the ground last night, I have requested an urgent meeting with the local police commanders to raise these concerns directly. "There must be accountability and a clear understanding of how this situation unfolded, so that future policing operations are proportionate, responsible, and respectful of the communities they affect. "I do understand that policing on occasions has to react to what is unfolding and my thoughts are with the officers on the ground, who bear the brunt of this and are simply following orders, some whom were injured carrying out their duties. "Violence and attacks on the police are not the way forward." Today 10:03 AM Violence in Portadown deplorable and unacceptable, says MLA Alliance Upper Bann MLA Eóin Tennyson has said those who engaged in violence in Portadown overnight do not represent the vast majority of people in the town. Officers came under attack with heavy masonry, fireworks and beer kegs in the area last night. A police spokesperson said 22 officers were injured and two people were arrested. 'Whilst the violence in Portadown was on a smaller scale than that witnessed in other parts of Northern Ireland, it was no less deplorable and unacceptable,' said the Alliance Deputy Leader. 'Those responsible for this racist thuggery do not speak for the majority of people in our community. 'No family should ever have to leave their home out of fear for their own safety. My solidarity and support is with our migrant and ethnic minority communities at what I know is an incredibly worrying time. 'I am grateful to the PSNI for their strong response and my thoughts are with the officers who were injured in the course of their duties. 'There is no place for racism, hate or division in Portadown or anywhere else in Northern Ireland. "All those in positions of leadership and responsibility must now use any influence they can to ensure we do not see a repeat of these scenes again." Today 09:58 AM 'Unprecedented number of families feel unsafe in their home' says NI Housing Executive chief The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has said that around 50 households in Northern Ireland have received assistance after rioting broke out in Ballymena earlier this week. Around 14 families have also been provided with emergency accommodation. On Thursday night a family with young children had to be evacuated from their home in Coleraine following a fire. The PSNI are treating the fire as a racially-motivated hate crime. NIHE chief executive, Grainia Long, said she expects the number of people seeking help to rise. Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Ms Long described the last week as "extraordinary", saying there is an "unprecedented number of families locally who feel it is unsafe to stay in their home". "Demand is extremely high, and it has been one of those weeks where everyone has had to move very quickly to respond. "We do expect the numbers to increase as households make decisions about what is safe for them." She added that NIHE staff "have been out on the ground, supporting communities, working within them and ensuring their safety", as well as "working with older people who are scared and asking questions about their safety". Health Minister Mike Nesbitt: 'without our international colleagues, the health service would collapse' Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has condemned the recent racist violence and said that it has left international colleagues working throughout the Health & Social Care system in Northern Ireland "frightened and vulnerable". 'It is well accepted within Health and Social Care that without our international colleagues, the health service would collapse," he said. 'The international recruits who arrive to work here across our HSC system provide an immensely valuable contribution to the delivery of health and social care services and enrich our communities with their diversity. 'Since taking up the post of Health Minister last year, I have had the privilege of meeting healthcare staff right across Northern Ireland, including many of our internationally recruited colleagues who have brought their skills, experience and expertise to our health service. They are greatly needed, very much appreciated and highly valued. They are deeply welcome here and their health, safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance. 'People should be entitled to live in peace, free from harm and intimidation, and I stand against this reprehensible, racist and xenophobic behaviour.' Today 09:16 AM 'Emergency rally against racist riots' to be held tomorrow in Belfast The event has been called by United Against Racism (UAR)and will take place at 12pm at Belfast City Hall. Speaking ahead of the rally, UAR Chair Ivanka Antova said: "The racist riots we have witnessed have spread fear across our communities and posed a direct threat to the life of migrants. "United Against Racism will not stand by while far-right agitators whip up such violence. We know that the vast majority of people are anti-racist and abhor racist hatred. "We are calling on those people, on the trade unions who represent a growing migrant workforce, and all progressive forces to join us to send a clear and resolute message against racism and racist violence." Today 08:57 AM Church of Ireland leader says damage from unrest 'cannot simply be swept away' Church of Ireland Archbishop John McDowell said that the recent disorder in towns across the region are "a source of great shame for Northern Ireland." "Hiding behind the figment of 'legitimate concerns' but in fact motivated by crude racism, groups of young men (and the shadowy and unaccountable people who control them) planned and carried out attacks on civil society and on democracy. The damage they have caused is not just material; it cannot be simply swept away," he said. "We should put ourselves in the shoes of someone trapped inside a house or a hostel while an angry mob gathers outside. It must be utterly terrifying. Imagine the lasting impact of such terror on a child. "The people who are the target of such squalid protests have come to this country to make a new life and to make a living. Just as we would rightly refuse to be judged by the criminal actions of any individual who happens to be from the same nationality or ethnicity as us, so we should question those who do so of others." Today 08:26 AM The PSNI has condemned a fourth consecutive night of disorder - with more arrests and officers injured. In a statement the PSNI said there was "significant disorder and violence in Portadown over a number of hours" with officers coming under sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks thrown in their direction. Twenty-two officers were injured. They said officers used various public order tactics and there were no reports of injury to the public or damage to property. Two arrests were made in Portadown – a woman in her 50s and a man in his 30s - on suspicion of riotous behaviour and other offences in connection with the disorder. The PSNI said there was protests reported in Belfast – these were mainly peaceful – with travel disrupted in the Templemore Avenue area of east Belfast for a short time. Bricks were thrown through the windows of two houses in the Avoniel Road in a racially-motivated attack. There was a protest at Carrick roundabout and a small fire at the Manse Road roundabout in Newtownabbey. With reports of anti-immigration hate graffiti being investigated in Newtownards. Police said a house fire in the Mount Street area of Coleraine is being treated as deliberate and a racially-motivated hate crime. A family with three young children were evacuated from this property. Meanwhile, Ballymena "did not witness the disgraceful scenes of rioting as previous nights". Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: 'Last night in Portadown police came under sustained attack from rioters throwing masonry and other missiles. Officers deployed a variety of public order tactics to restore order to the town as quickly as possible. 'Twenty-two officers were injured and I am so grateful to them for their bravery and selfless dedication in protecting the community of Portadown from this criminality. 'We saw calm in Ballymena and I hope the powerful words of the family who asked for calm during this really difficult time were heard and continue to be heard over the coming days. 'Two arrests were made in Portadown last night and more will follow. "I repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days." Photos and footage, including CCTV, mobile phone or dash cam footage, can be shared with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at Today 08:17 AM Nigel Farage weighs in on 'ugly' unrest in Ballymena The Reform UK leader said the riots in Ballymena were 'ugly', but claimed his warnings about immigration had been ignored. Speaking on GB News, Mr Farage said: 'The Ballymena riots. They are ugly. Houses being torched, people actually putting in their windows what their identity is. 'No-one on this channel will condone in any way at all what has taken place. 'However angry you are, why on earth would you destroy what actually looks like a rather modern, well-built community asset? It's just insanity.' But the Clacton MP claimed that unrest could have been avoided if his warnings on immigration had been taken seriously. 'I said, 'Be careful. Get immigration numbers substantially lower. Don't allow people who come illegally to stay,' he said. Today 08:12 AM TUV MLA claims Ballymena violence was due to 'people's concerns not being listened to' TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said that the reasons behind the recent violence in Ballymena this week was due to people 'not being listened to' over issues on immigration. 'What we've seen over the past number of nights on our streets has been deplorable, but this was always going to happen, simply because people's concerns have not been listened to these past number of years,' he said on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster. 'There is an undercurrent here within the community where the community feels it hasn't been listened to, and that has been allowed to fester and sadly it has manifested itself in the scenes we have seen over the last number of days, and that is disappointing.' Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson hit back at Mr Gaston's claims and said: 'You cannot contextualise or explain away what has happened, what has been wanton racist violence. 'The people who have engaged in violence are racist thugs, no ifs, no buts, and I think it's time we see leadership in all political parties in calling that out rather than trying to conflate what are two very distinct and separate issues.' Today 08:02 AM Portadown: 'Children are frightened they might be killed' Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson said that children were telling their teachers in school that they were afraid they would be killed. Speaking on Friday's BBC Good Morning Ulster, he said that, although he is 'relieved' the violence in Portadown on Thursday night was on a smaller scale than what was seen in Ballymena, it was still 'deplorable'. 'I'm also deeply concerned at most of the racist sentiment surrounding those protesting,' he said. 'Just because the violence was on a smaller scale doesn't diminish the impact that I know this event has had on our ethnic and minority community in Portadown. 'Many people felt that they had no option but to leave their homes for their own safety. 'Speaking to a local school, children were going in talking to their teachers about how scared they were and how they were frightened they might be killed or burnt out of their homes. 'That carries a huge psychological impact to primary school age children.' Today 07:47 AM Doug Beattie: 'This was about anarchy' Former UUP leader Doug Beattie said that the recent rioting in Portadown, where police came under attack for a fourth night, was 'not about safeguarding women'. Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster on Friday, Mr Beattie said: : 'None of this was about safeguarding women and girls in our society, this was about disorder, this was about anarchy, this was about people having a go at the police. 'Without a doubt there are people hellbent on using this to attack the police and it has to stop.'
RTÉ News
13-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Police attacked during fourth night of unrest in Northern Ireland
Police were attacked during a fourth consecutive night of trouble in Northern Ireland. Disorder switched from Co Antrim to Co Armagh where rioters clashed with PSNI public order units in Portadown. It followed an anti-immigration rally in the town centre which was attended by hundreds of people that had passed off without incident. A police helicopter hovered low over the town centre during a large security operation. But as people left town after the demonstration, some clashed with police. Masonry was thrown at officers and there was a number of arrests. By contrast, Ballymena, the focus of much of the trouble earlier this week, appeared to be relatively quiet. Last night 80 police officers from Police Scotland arrived in Northern Ireland. They were called in under a mechanism called Mutual Aid which allows UK police forces to support one another. The Scottish police officers will fill in to allow PSNI officers to get some rest. So far, 41 PSNI officers have been injured and there has been 15 arrests. More arrests have been promised as police trawl CCTV and social media footage. Yesterday a judge warned those convicted of offences should expect to be dealt with "robustly" by the courts. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher had said he wants to see lengthy custodial sentences as a deterrent. Mr Boutcher has warned that the cost of policing the rioting could run to several million pounds if it were to continue for much longer. He said that was money that would have to come from public finances.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
83-year-old Greensburg woman identified by police as wrong-way driver in Route 30 crash
Apr. 25—State police have identified an 83-year-old Greensburg woman as being the wrong-way driver who caused a multi-vehicle crash Wednesday on Route 30 in Hempfield. Nancy Duva entered the eastbound lanes of the divided highway going west in Subaru Crosstrek around 5:15 p.m., causing the crash just past the Cedar Street exit at a bend in the highway, troopers said. Duva struck a Dodge Ram being driven by Jace Bartsch, 20, of Wheeling, along with a second car, a Hyundai Elantra being driven by Kassidy Warfel, 27, of Latrobe, police said. Bartsch and Warfel were both eastbound. Duva and Bartsch were taken to Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, Mutual Aid spokesperson Shawn Penzera said. Their conditions are unknown. Warfel refused treatment, police said. The sight distance for eastbound travelers on that section of Route 30 is difficult, state police Trooper Steve Limani said. "The sight distance is designed for people traveling the speed limit or close to it," he said. "Add a vehicle driving toward you at the same speed ... your sight distance is basically cut in half. You basically have no chance — it's almost no chance." The road was closed for four hours while state police reconstructed the crash. About 37,000 vehicles use that stretch of highway daily, according to a PennDOT traffic volume map. Traffic was detoured onto Route 119 and various side streets. Limani said the highway is so busy at that time of day, he is surprised there weren't more injuries. A video recorded by a driver in the westbound lanes and posted on social media showed what appeared to be an SUV driving the wrong direction and slamming into a pickup truck other motorists avoided the collision. Video from Trib news partner WTAE showed a car that appeared to have collided with the pickup. Both had front-end damage. The SUV came to a stop several feet west. In March 2021, AAA and the National Transportation Safety Board warned motorists of an increasing rate of wrong-way crashes resulting in fatalities. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that there were 2,008 deaths from wrong-way crashes on divided highways nationwide between 2015 and 2018. Authorities charged a Charlotte, N.C., man who was eastbound on the westbound side of Interstate 376 near Downtown Pittsburgh on April 13 when he struck an oncoming car, causing a collision that left two people dead. And a little over a year ago, a Scottdale woman was arrested and charged with homicide by vehicle after, police said, she was driving the wrong way on Interstate 70 in South Huntingdon, causing a 2022 crash that killed David Ott of Perryopolis. Patrick Varine is a TribLive reporter covering Delmont, Export and Murrysville. He is a Western Pennsylvania native and joined the Trib in 2010 after working as a reporter and editor with the former Dover Post Co. in Delaware. He can be reached at pvarine@
Axios
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
More anti-Trump protests planned in Chicago
Another grassroots action against the Trump administration is planned nationwide on Saturday, including in Daley Plaza downtown. Why it matters: The 50501 Movement takes momentum from recent protests to encourage Americans to become each other's "social support web" as President Trump's policies target marginalized communities. The 50501 Movement, meaning 50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement, is pushing back against what it calls executive overreach from the Trump administration. It's organizing started on Reddit. "Our movement shows the world that the American working class will not sit idly by as plutocrats rip apart their democratic institutions and civil liberties while undermining the rule of law," the movement's website said. Driving the news: More than 400 events are scheduled nationwide for April 19, including rallies, protests, nature cleanups and food drives. In Chicago, the protest is called " The People's Protest: Joy as Resistance." It is scheduled for noon in Daley Plaza. Organizers are asking participants to bring canned goods, prepackaged snacks, bottled water and Gatorade. Donations will be collected for the Mutual Aid network. Other protests are planned for Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Lisle and Barrington. Zoom in: Saturday's mobilizing could include protests, organizers said, but it could also include community actions like donation drives, clothing swaps or meeting to discuss future action. "We need to think about the America we want to see, where we have empathy and help each other, and just become that," organizers wrote. "That's just as important as protesting." Context: The first 50501 protests were on Feb. 5. "In just days, grassroots organizers — without any budget, centralized structure, or official backing — pulled off over 80 peaceful protests in all 50 states," its website says. Zoom out: Millions of people across the country protested during the Hands Off! movement on April 5. They took to streets, state capitals, federal buildings, congressional offices and city centers.
