Violence broke out for a second consecutive night in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, as demonstrators attacked police officers with petrol bombs, fireworks, and masonry. The violence erupted again in Clonavon Terrace, the same location that saw serious disorder the previous night.
The response from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) was to implement riot control tactics. Riot police fired baton rounds, employed water cannons, and released riot control dogs to force people away from the area. The authorities had repeatedly admonished residents through loudspeakers to leave the area prior to acting.
For the second consecutive day, riots have erupted in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, with rioters hurling bottles and other objects at police.
— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) June 10, 2025
Earlier in the day on Monday, there was a quiet protest held in Ballymena about an alleged sexual attack on a teenage girl. When night fell, the mood turned ugly. Rioters torched a vehicle and lit burning barricades, closing major routes through the region. PSNI asked people to avoid the hotbed of trouble for their safety.
Assembly Member Sian Mulholland stated that six houses were targeted, and four had fire damage. Businesses in the area were also destroyed, as their windows and doors were smashed. One family with three small children barricaded themselves in their attic for safety.
BREAKING: Houses set on fire in Ballymena, Northern Ireland amid ongoing riots.
pic.twitter.com/gy9i1BY033— AZ Intel (@AZ_Intel_) June 10, 2025
Several Arrests and Charges Filed After Riots
Police arrested and charged a 29-year-old man with multiple offenses, including riotous behavior, attempted criminal damage, and resisting arrest. Two teenage boys appeared in Coleraine Magistrates’ Court earlier this week, denying charges related to the alleged assault. They spoke through a Romanian interpreter. A third man arrested on Monday night was later released unconditionally.
The Prime Minister’s office termed the riots in Ballymena as “very concerning” and stated that officials continue to keep the situation closely under observation.
