Northern Ireland experienced its fifth consecutive night of clashes, as anti-immigrant protesters targeted police officers. Riot police were attacked with petrol bombs, fireworks, and bottles, as reported by DPA news agency. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) stated that police came under sustained attack from rioters throwing masonry and other missiles in Portadown.
The PSNI utilized water canons to disperse crowds twice around midnight local time. Henderson affirmed that police presence would be heightened throughout Northern Ireland over the weekend to provide reassurance and protect communities. Thus far, 63 officers have been injured, with 15 individuals arrested and four charged, most of whom are teenagers.
This violence initially began in Ballymena, approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Portadown. Authorities have also addressed riots and damage to public properties in Derry/Londonderry, Larne, Belfast, and Coleraine. First Minister Michelle O’Neill expressed deep concern over the past four days of devastation caused by these racially motivated, violent attacks.
The first riots erupted following an alleged attempted rape of a young girl by two teenagers in Ballymena. Two teenagers were arrested and remain in custody; police have requested Romanian interpreters in court. Northern Ireland Housing Executive reported providing emergency accommodation to 14 families and assistance to around 50 households this week.
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, but has experienced historical conflict between republicans seeking a united Ireland and unionists wishing to remain part of the UK. The violence largely ceased with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement; however, tensions have escalated since Brexit.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/northern-ireland-police-deploy-water-cannon-against-rioters/a-72905427?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
