A 30-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman have been arrested in connection with the violent disorder in Ballymena on Wednesday. 15 people have now been arrested over the past four days, with police chiefs promising that more arrests will be made in the coming days and weeks as they investigate the disorder.
The police were under attack for a third consecutive night in the Co Antrim town on Wednesday, June 11, as hundreds gathered around the Clonavon Terrace area. This residential road has become the focal point for their anger due to it being the location of the alleged sexual assault which sparked the riots.
Two 14-year-old boys were arrested and charged in connection with the incident. Both denied the charges of attempted oral rape via an interpreter when brought before magistrates on Monday.
Over the four days of violence this week, officers have used dogs, baton rounds and a water cannon to try and disperse the rioters and bring the disorder under control, while simultaneously being pelted with paint, masonry, fireworks and petrol bombs. On Thursday night, the anti migrant protests had spread, with the centre of disorder becoming Portadown in Co Armagh, where riot police also had petrol bombs and other projectiles.
This came just hours after PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher revealed in a press conference that the violence seen on the streets of Ballymena had been a further “traumatising” event for the victim of the alleged sexual assault. “Let’s stop it now, Everybody wants it to stop,” he said.
“I reiterate the retraumatising of this poor girl, she’s been through enough through what happened to her on Saturday evening. She doesn’t want any of this.
“I know the family are mortified. I’ve spoken to them personally, they’ve asked me to make this plea. So for all of you listening, for people who have any sort of responsibility or charge over people who have been doing this awful disorder, get them to desist, stop it.”
Following the disorder on Wednesday, a 30-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman have now been arrested on suspicion of rioting and are currently being held in police custody. Of the 15 arrests made in connection with the violent unrest in Ballymena, four individuals have been charged so far, reports Belfast Live.
A spokesperson for the PSNI stated: “Detectives investigating disorder in Ballymena last night, Wednesday, 11th June, have made further arrests. A 30-year-old man and a 50-year-old woman have been arrested on riot. They remain in police custody this evening as enquiries continue.”
At the press conference, Chief Constable Boutcher also revealed that PSNI are tracking down a third individual in connection with the alleged sexual assault in Ballymena, stating: “We have identified a third suspect who is currently out of the jurisdiction, but we will be bringing him back into the jurisdiction.”
