Northern Ireland experienced a fifth consecutive night of violent clashes on Friday as anti-immigrant protesters targeted police officers with petrol bombs, fireworks, and bottles. The unrest, which began earlier this week in Ballymena, has since spread to towns including Portadown, Derry/Londonderry, Larne, Belfast, and Coleraine.
In Portadown, rioters threw masonry and other projectiles at police, prompting authorities to deploy water cannons twice around midnight to disperse crowds. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) condemned the attacks, stating that officers had faced "sustained assault" while trying to maintain order.
So far, 63 officers have been injured in the violence, with 17 arrests made—13 of whom have been charged, including four remanded in custody. Authorities have also released images of suspects, urging the public to assist in identifying them.
The initial protests were sparked by an alleged attempted rape of a teenage girl in Ballymena, involving two 14-year-old suspects who appeared in court with Romanian interpreters. While police have not publicly confirmed their identities, the case fueled broader anti-immigrant sentiment, with rioters directing their anger at foreign nationals.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill denounced the violence as "horrific," emphasizing that women, children, and families had borne the brunt of "racist, violent attacks." Police reported that some foreign nationals had been forced to hide in wardrobes and attics to escape the mobs.
Northern Ireland police chief Jon Boutcher issued a stern warning to rioters: "Stop this violence. We will come after you. We will arrest you. We will prosecute you successfully." He also noted that the alleged sexual assault survivor had been "further traumatized" by the unrest.
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive confirmed that 14 families had been placed in emergency accommodation, with assistance extended to around 50 households this week. Meanwhile, political tensions flared after Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) minister Gordon Lyons questioned the use of a Larne leisure center to shelter displaced families—a facility later set ablaze by rioters.
Authorities have denied initial claims of paramilitary coordination in the riots but acknowledged seeing increased organization among protesters in Portadown. "We did see people directing young people to find weak points in police lines," said Henderson.
The violence has reignited debates over racism and social divisions in Northern Ireland, which remains predominantly white (96.6%) but has seen its minority population grow in recent years. Analysts point to economic stagnation, segregated education, and inflammatory rhetoric online as contributing factors.
As police brace for further unrest over the weekend, Henderson urged calm: "For those thinking about causing disorder or coming to watch it, stay away. There will be consequences."