Racially Motivated Riots Erupt in Ballymena After Romanian Teens Charged

Violent riots erupted in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, following the court appearance of two 14-year-old Romanian-speaking boys charged with the attempted oral rape of a local teenage girl. What began as a peaceful protest in support of the victim's family escalated into attacks on police officers and the torching of at least four houses believed to belong to Romanian immigrant families, injuring 15 officers and damaging police vehicles. Police and officials condemned the violence as racially motivated, targeting minority ethnic communities, with law enforcement linking the unrest to rising race hate crimes tied to broader anti-immigration tensions in the region. The accused boys pleaded not guilty via Romanian interpreters and were remanded in custody pending further hearings. Local leaders stressed that while concerns over immigration exist, violent actions undermine legitimate discourse and deepen community tensions. The police and government officials vowed to hold those responsible for the disorder accountable.