For a third consecutive night, Northern Ireland anti-immigrant riots have gripped Ballymena and nearby towns, leaving dozens of police officers injured, cars torched, and immigrant families forced to flee.

The outbreak of violence began after two 14-year-old boys appeared in a local court on Monday charged with attempted rape of a girl on Clonavon Terrace on Saturday night. The boys spoke through a Romanian translator, the BBC reported, and both denied the charges through their lawyer.

Over 30 officers have been injured in clashes involving petrol bombs, bricks, and fireworks. Vehicles were set on fire and businesses closed in fear of further attacks, as tensions spread across towns including Newtownabbey, Coleraine, Carrickfergus, and Larne.

Harassment, threats, and property destruction reported

Migrant communities targeted in the violence have reported harassment, threats, and property destruction. Immigrants from the Philippines and Eastern Europe say they have been forced to barricade their homes or display their national flags in hopes of deterring attackers.

One Filipino family was trapped indoors after their car was set alight outside their home.

In Larne, masked youth vandalized the local leisure center, smashing windows and setting fires.

The attack came after false claims circulated online that migrants displaced from Ballymena were being housed in the building. Police later confirmed no one was inside at the time of the incident.

False claims on social media fuel unrest

The unrest was triggered by the arrest of two 14-year-old local boys in Ballymena’s Clonavon Terrace area over the alleged assault of a teenage girl. Although police confirmed the suspects are local, racist attacks in Northern Ireland surged after misinformation spread on social media, falsely linking the crime to migrants.

At a press conference, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said police are investigating whether the violence has been coordinated. “At this point, it's not clear to us or through intelligence or what we're hearing if there's paramilitary coordination to it,” he said, referencing the legacy of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland involving nationalist and unionist factions.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and considering reinforcement from forces in Britain. Riot control measures have already been deployed in multiple towns affected by the escalating disorder.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly issued a joint statement condemning the violence as “orchestrated racist thuggery.” The leaders called for an end to the attacks and reaffirmed their support for the rule of law.

Political leaders condemn ‘orchestrated thuggery’

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the violence and urged calm. He emphasized the need for the justice process to proceed without interference or vigilantism. In response to the crisis, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn is set to visit Ballymena to assess the situation and meet with local leaders.

Those responsible for this violence bring nothing to our communities but hatred, fear, and division. pic.twitter.com/T29fJGQtOd

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) June 11, 2025

Community organizations and local volunteers have mobilized to provide shelter and support for displaced families. Civic leaders continue to call for unity and restraint as the region remains tense and volatile.