A disturbance erupted in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, as a crowd congregated near the location of a reported sexual assault in the town and hurled objects at police officers. The incident occurred following a protest in the region, approximately 30 minutes from Belfast, earlier in the evening on Monday, with damage reported to several properties.
According to the police statement, motorists and pedestrians were advised to steer clear of the Clonavon Road area, where officers were maintaining a presence to manage the situation. Chief Superintendent Sue Steen urged the public to maintain composure and act responsibly, emphasizing that violence and disorder would only endanger more individuals and that the priority is to ensure community safety.
Local media documented masked individuals throwing masonry and a police vehicle having its windows smashed. The demonstration was in response to the court appearance of two boys accused of a serious sexual offense in Clonavon Road.
Over the weekend, police stated that detectives investigating a severe sexual assault on a teenage girl in the Clonavon Terrace neighborhood had charged two teenage boys in connection with the incident.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/10/public-disorder-breaks-out-in-northern-ireland-town-after-alleged-sexual-assault-ntwnfb
