A MOTHER who lives in one of the houses attacked during violence in Ballymena said she had been left too scared to stay in the area.
The mother-of-three said her children were asking why their house was being attacked during disturbances in the Co Antrim town on Monday night.
Her comments come after homes were destroyed and missiles were thrown at police by masked thugs last night in “disturbing scenes” as rioting broke out after a protest in the area.
Several properties were damaged on Clonavon Terrace in attacks which police have described as “racist thuggery”.
The violent scenes in the area left 15 police injured and a number of cops cars damaged.
The violence followed an earlier protest in support of the family of a girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in the town at the weekend.
Two 14-year-old boys appeared in court on Monday charged with attempted rape.
The charges were read to the teenagers by a Romanian interpreter.
The PA news agency spoke to a number of residents of houses in the street on Tuesday who said they now intended to leave the area.
The woman, who said she was too afraid to give her name, said she tried to flee her house after the front window was broken.
She said: “The children were asking me why are we being attacked.
“I don’t want to stay here now, the children are afraid and I am afraid.”
‘POGRAM PREVENTED’
In the aftermath of the rioting, the chairman of the Police Federation said the actions of PSNI officers saved lives and “prevented a pogrom with consequences too painful to contemplate”.
Liam Kelly, the head of the group that represents rank and file PSNI officers, said cops faced attacks which were “totally mindless, unacceptable and feral”.
Mr Kelly said: “Once again, our colleagues were caught up trying to quell hate-filled violence on our streets.
“Officers who were trying to protect life and property came under unjustified sustained attack.
“All right-minded people should utterly condemn these actions and provide information and assistance to the PSNI so they can identify those who engaged in the various lawless acts of thuggery.
“Officers’ injuries tell a frightening story of a mob fully intent on inflicting great harm on people.
“Police officers worked tirelessly to defuse a potentially explosive situation and uphold the law.”
‘MINDLESS VIOLENCE’
Mr Kelly said the officers had suffered “for their courageous and professional interventions”.
He added: “This was mindless violence and thuggery.
“Officers were under great pressure but, to their credit, they restored order over a prolonged period of unrest.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that police officers – far too few because the service is starved of resources and officer numbers – prevented a pogrom with consequences too painful to contemplate.
“What we saw was totally mindless, unacceptable and feral.
“I wish to commend the men and women of the PSNI who undoubtedly saved lives last night.
“I would appeal for calm, and request that there is no repeat of these shocking images in the town or the lawless acts of intimidation of anyone in our community.”
‘FELT FEAR’
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force would have a significant operation in place over the coming days in case there was any repeat of the disturbances.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the attacks should be “loudly condemned by all right thinking people”.
Speaking at a press conference at Ballymena police station, he said: “Any attempt to justify or explain it as something else is misplaced.”
He said that members of the minority ethnic community “felt fear” and there will be a significant policing operation in the town in the coming days to reassure the community.
“All right-minded people should utterly condemn these actions and provide information and assistance to the PSNI so they can identify those who engaged in the various lawless acts of thuggery.”
Liam Kelly
He said one arrest has been made and more will follow, as video and online footage is examined.
The 29-year-old arrested has been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage and resisting police.
He is due to before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Mr Henderson said: “I would strongly urge anyone who was involved in yesterday’s disorder to reflect long and hard about their actions, they will have consequences.”
VIOLENT SCENES
Mr Henderson said that police officers from England and Wales will be brought to Northern Ireland if needed to help the PSNI in the wake of the Ballymena disorder.
He said: “Should I need any additionality, I’m absolutely assured that my colleagues in policing in England and Wales, the National Police Operation Centre, stand fast and ready to support should we need that support.”
The senior officer said police did not have specific intelligence that there would be a repeat of the violent scenes, but said a significant policing operation would be in place.
PLANNED VIGIL
A PSNI spokesperson said: “At around 7.30pm, a planned vigil gathered in the Galgorm Road area before making its way towards Larne Street, onto Wakehurt Road and then down Queen Street.
“The vigil was initially peaceful as it made its way towards the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena.
“Officers were present at the vigil to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response, due to the large number of people who had gathered in the area.
“A number of masked individuals then broke away from the vigil and began to build barricades, stockpiling missiles and attacking properties in the Clonavon Terrace area.
“Elements of the crowd then turned on to police and attacked officers with petrol bombs and masonry.
“This disorder was sustained and continued in the vicinity of Galgorm Street, Linenhall Street and Larne Road Link in the vicinity of the Braid.”
COPS ATTACKED
The statement added: “Police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction by masked rioters.
“Fifteen officers were injured with some requiring hospital treatment.
“Two police vehicles were also damaged during the disorder.
“A number of homes and businesses were damaged with windows and doors smashed. Four houses were damaged by fire with three people evacuated.
“The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially motivated hate attacks.
“Windows were also smashed of several business units in Galgorm Parks in the early hours.
“In total, six properties in Clonavon Terrace have sustained damage to windows and doors during the disorder.”
OTHER ARSON
As part of ongoing inquiries, police are also investigating a report of arson at the Tobar Park area of Cullybackey in the early hours of Tuesday.
Shortly after 12.20am, it was reported that a petrol bomb had been thrown at a vehicle in the area which set it alight.
Damage was caused to a nearby property, with a woman and two children inside.
