Ballymena in Northern Ireland
Reuters
–
Hundreds of masked brawlers attacked police, burning their homes and cars in the Northern Ireland town of Barrymena on Tuesday, setting fire to the second consecutive night of obstacles following protests over alleged sexual assaults in the town.
Police say the town is dealing with “severe obstacles” in a town about 45 km (30 miles) from the capital Belfast, urging people to avoid the area.
According to Reuters witnesses, officers in the riot equipment and armored armored van responded with water cannons and plastic baton rounds after being attacked by a rock filled with gasoline bombs, scaffolding and rioters.
One house burned out and police vomited after leaving another part of the town where the rioters were about to descend, the witness added.
Many cars were flaring and lit upside down in flames as police sirens hit the entire town after midnight.
Four homes were damaged by the fire, and windows and doors were destroyed by other homes and businesses on the first night of Monday’s riot.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Barrymena early Monday in response to an incident involving two teenagers who appeared in court that day and accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the town of Antrim, county.
Local media reported that fees had been read to teenagers via interpreters.
Fifteen police officers were injured on Monday, with some officers in need of hospital treatment.
Another Reuters witness said separate protests on Tuesday previously blocked several roads in Belfast, but no anxiety has been reported in other parts of the UK-operated area.
The British government and local politicians condemned the violence.
“The horrifying scene of civil disability that I witnessed again in Barrymena tonight has no place in Northern Ireland,” said British Minister of Northern Ireland in X.