2 w. ago The racial violence in Ballymena repeats a pattern that’s blighted Britain for years. We must wake up to that | Lanre Bakare

History tells us attacks on migrants are a predictable result of political failings, distorted media coverage and far-right opportunismIn early June, the violence began. Rumours of a foreigner assaulting a local woman resulted in groups roaming through a small British town, breaking windows of homes belonging to “outsiders”. A few days later, the police attempted to stop mobs from reaching another nearby multiracial area. Eventually they broke through, ransacking shops and burning down a house, while local media reported that the violence had developed into “something like a fever”.Sound familiar? This isn’t Ballymena, the County Antrim town in Northern Ireland that has seen several nights of unrest in which immigrant homes were attacked after reports of an alleged sexual assault on a local girl by two teenagers, who had a Romanian interpreter read them the charges. These incidents actually took place more than a century ago, during the summer of 1919, as racial violence spread thro...

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3 w. ago More police officers hurt during fifth night of violence in Northern Ireland

The violence followed an alleged sex attack on a teenage girl in Ballymena.

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3 w. ago Petrol bombs and fireworks launched at police as Ballymena riots spread across Northern Ireland in fifth night of violence after 'alleged attempted rape of local girl, 16, by two Romanian teens'

Crowds of masked thugs gathered in Portadown where a protest had been held earlier in the evening before it descended into carnage.

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3 w. ago The Guardian view on riots in Northern Ireland: racist violence does not express ‘legitimate grievance’ | Editorial

Politicians must analyse the forces behind mob unrest, but not in terms that make excuses for itA reputation for political violence is one reason Northern Ireland has historically attracted fewer immigrants than the rest of the UK. In that context, increasing diversity could be read as a measure of progress; a peace dividend after the Troubles. That isn’t how it has felt to families cowering in fear of racist mobs this week. The riots started in Ballymena, ostensibly triggered by the arrest of two boys, reported to be of Romanian origin, accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. A community vigil mutated into a racist rampage. Masked thugs targeted the local migrant population. When police came to quell the pogrom, officers were attacked with bricks, fireworks, petrol bombs. There was contagion. Windows were smashed and a fire started at a leisure centre in nearby Larne that had been used as a temporary refuge for those fleeing the Ballymena violence. There were outbreaks of di...

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3 w. ago Inside the Ballymena riots: How 'attempted rape of local girl, 16, by two Romanian teens' ignited wave of anti

One single fact appears to have provided the spark to ignite Ballymena in flames.

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3 w. ago Riots spread in Northern Ireland with 15 arrested after nights of chaos following 'sexual assault of girl by Romanian teens' in Ballymena

Fifteen rioters have been arrested as 41 police officers were injured amid unrest in Northern Ireland following the alleged sexual assault of a girl by Romanian teens. 

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3 w. ago Watch: Homes left smashed and charred after multiple nights of violence in Ballymena

Homes have been destroyed after several nights of unrest in Northern Ireland, where rioters hurled petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks at police.

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3 w. ago Northern Ireland riots latest: Petrol bombs and fireworks hurled at police as Ballymena violence spreads

Violence has broken out in Ballymena for the past three nights after angry mobs went on the rampage through the town’s streets

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3 w. ago ‘Masked thugs’ start fire at leisure centre on third night of violence in Northern Ireland

The PSNI deployed riot police in Ballymena for a third night as a significant crowd gathered in the area

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3 w. ago Watch: Moment Ballymena rioter sets himself on fire as violence erupts for second night

Cars and properties set on fire in Ballymena as rioters hurl petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers

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3 w. ago Second night of rioting in Ballymena leaves 17 police officers injured

Racially motivated attacks have left families in fear, say police, after unrest broke out over alleged sexual assaultA second night of rioting has left 17 police officers injured and caused damage to several homes, businesses and vehicles in Ballymena in Northern Ireland.A crowd launched a “sustained attack” on officers on Tuesday night by hurling petrol bombs, masonry and fireworks in the County Antrim town, a police spokesperson said. Continue reading...

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3 w. ago 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).

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3 w. ago Ballymena riots condemned as ‘racist thuggery’ as homes and cars set on fire in second night of violence

Dramatic scenes unfolded overnight in the Northern Ireland town as rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and glass bottles at police officers

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3 w. ago Ballymena riots: Violence erupts for second night as police condemn 'racist thuggery'

Cars and properties set on fire in Ballymena as rioters hurl petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers

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3 w. ago Riot police clash with masked yobs in second night of chaos as fires break out and hundreds take to the streets in Northern Ireland after 'Romanian' teens accused of attempted rape

A crowd of 300 yobs hurled petrol bombs at cops, smashed windows and torched cars the day after a peaceful vigil of 2,500 people on Monday descended into mayhem.

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3 w. ago Ballymena LIVE: Riots in Northern Ireland branded 'racist thuggery' as cars set on fire

Multiple cars and homes have been set on fire in Ballymena, which is in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and rioters have hurled petrol bombs and fireworks at police

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3 w. ago Riot police respond to second night of violence in Ballymena

Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers.

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3 w. ago Riot police are clashing with masked yobs as fire crews battle to get blazes under control while 100s take to the streets in Northern Ireland after 'Romanian' teens accused of attempted rape

Trouble first erupted yesterday evening as a demonstration by around 2,500 people in the Harryville area of Ballymena spiralled out of control.

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3 w. ago Missiles launched at police as 100s take to the streets of Northern Ireland for a second night after 'Romanian' teenagers appeared in court over alleged attempted rape

Trouble first erupted yesterday evening as a demonstration by around 2,500 people in the Harryville area of Ballymena spiralled out of control.

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3 w. ago Fifteen police injured amid suspected racially motivated attacks in Ballymena

Northern Irish politicians condemn violence that erupted after vigil for girl who was allegedly sexually assaultedFifteen police officers were injured and several homes attacked during what has been called a “mob fury” of racially motivated disturbances in the Northern Irish town of Ballymena.Members of a crowd threw petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks at police and tried to burn the homes of a handful of foreign families in the County Antrim town on Monday night. Continue reading...

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