Camilla Jessen
Racial tensions flared into street violence in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland’s town of Ballymena descended into violence for a second night following the indictment of two 14-year-old Romanian teenagers for the attempted rape of a young girl, according to reports from AFP via Digi24.
The attacks, which authorities describe as racially motivated, have escalated into serious street clashes.
The first unrest broke out on Monday evening, when four homes were set on fire, windows were smashed, and 15 police officers were injured. Some officers required hospitalization.
The violence followed a peaceful rally held in support of the victim and her family.
By Tuesday evening, tensions reignited as hundreds of masked demonstrators gathered in Ballymena.
Police faced attacks from protesters throwing fireworks, bottles, bricks, and Molotov cocktails.
In response, officers deployed water cannons to disperse crowds near burning barricades.
“Police are currently dealing with serious disturbances in the Clonavon Terrace neighborhood,” said a police spokeswoman, urging residents to stay away from the area.
The violence has also spread to parts of Belfast.
Police Condemn Racially Motivated Attacks
Northern Ireland police official Ryan Henderson strongly condemned the violence:
“The violence was clearly racially motivated and targeted an ethnic minority as well as the police.”
He voiced concern over the growing number of hate crimes in the region, warning of the disturbing trend.
The two Romanian teenagers, accused of the attack that took place last Saturday, appeared in court on Monday with the assistance of a Romanian translator.
Their appearance triggered growing anger among parts of the community, fueling the unrest that quickly turned violent.
A 29-year-old man was also arrested and charged with offenses including violent demonstration, public disorder, attempted bodily harm, and resisting police.
The unrest comes less than a year after similar anti-immigration riots swept parts of Northern Ireland and the UK, following the fatal stabbing of three girls in northwest England.
Many now fear this latest incident could inflame racial tensions once again.