2025 Ballymena riots
| 2025 Northern Ireland riots | |||
|---|---|---|---|
A large fire in Ballymena during the initial riot | |||
| Date | 9 June 2025 – present | ||
| Location | Various places around Northern Ireland 54°51′48″N 6°16′47″W / 54.8633°N 6.2797°W | ||
| Caused by | Alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl by two Romanian-speaking teenagers Anti-immigration sentiment | ||
| Methods | |||
| Status | Ongoing | ||
| Parties | |||
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| Casualties and losses | |||
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| 3+ police vehicles damaged Multiple homes damaged Multiple businesses damaged Multiple cars torched | |||
Starting on 9 June 2025, riots broke out across Northern Ireland after two Romanian-speaking teenagers were charged with attempted rape after allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Ballymena, a town in County Antrim. Police said the disorder was targeted at ethnic minorities and law enforcement. As of 16 June, a total of 64 police officers have been injured whilst 29 people have been arrested, 21 of whom have been charged.
On the first night of disorder, which was confined to Ballymena, two police cars and multiple properties were damaged, with fifteen police officers being injured and one rioter arrested. The second night saw a further seventeen police officers injured and five people arrested with more property damage across the town; disorder also occurred in Belfast, Carrickfergus, and Newtownabbey. The third night saw more disorder throughout Northern Ireland: nine police officers were injured and seven people were arrested in Ballymena, whilst a leisure centre in Larne was set ablaze. The fourth night saw some respite for Ballymena, with Portadown experiencing the most disorder: 22 police officers were injured there and two people were arrested.