How a peaceful protest erupted into nights of violence and rocked a Northern Irish community
Why scared families in Northern Ireland are marking their nationalities on their doors
- Terrified families in Ballymena are displaying their nationalities on their front doors after three nights of violence to stop rioters from targeting their homes.
- Clashes erupted after a social media post advertised a peaceful protest in response to an alleged serious sexual assault; two teenage boys charged with attempted rape have faced court with the aid of a Romanian interpreter.
- The violent disorder that has since erupted has been slammed as “racist thuggery” and “mob rule” by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
- Masked rioters hurled petrol bombs, masonry, bricks and fireworks at officers, who responded with a water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds.
- Secretary of state for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn joined widespread condemnation of the “shocking” scenes, warning there is "absolutely no justification for civil disorder".