Northern Ireland Violence Escalates Third Night, Leisure Centre Set Fire, Police Injured

Northern Ireland has experienced a third consecutive night of violent public disorder centered in Ballymena and Larne, driven by anti-migrant tensions following an alleged attempted rape by two Romanian-speaking teenagers. Rioters, many masked and balaclava-clad, attacked police with petrol bombs, masonry, fireworks, and other projectiles, injuring dozens of officers and prompting the deployment of riot police, water cannon, dogs, and plastic baton rounds. In Larne, the unrest escalated to the arson of the Larne Leisure Centre, which had temporarily housed families displaced by the violence in Ballymena; the facility suffered smashed windows and interior fires but was evacuated prior to the attack. Authorities and politicians condemned the violence as "racist thuggery" and "mindless attacks," with police unsure if there is paramilitary coordination behind the unrest. The disorder has resulted in numerous homes and vehicles being set ablaze, widespread property damage, and multiple arrests, while police continue to request reinforcements from across the UK to manage the situation. Local leaders expressed disgust and called for calm as communities grapple with the ongoing tensions and aftermath of the disturbances.