A MAN has been arrested after a police investigate a number of public disorder incidents in Northern Ireland.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s detectives have been investigating the serious public disorders which sparked racial violence in Ballymena this week and Belfast last year.
During the investigation into the disorder in Ballymena on Wednesday, June 11, they discovered that a man who was allegedly involved was also suspected of having been part of the “shameful” disorders in Belfast throughout the summer of 2024.
The 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of three counts of encouraging or assisting a riot.
He was later released on bail after questioning.
Detective Chief Inspector Michael O’Loan said: “Detectives investigating the disorder in Ballymena on Wednesday, 11th June identified a man present who they believed was involved in the shameful disorder we saw throughout Belfast last summer.
“The 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of three counts of intentionally encouraging or assisting riot, and later released on bail following questioning.
“The offences relate to violence in the Broadway area of the city on Tuesday 16th July 2024, and in the Sandy Row/Donegall Road area on Saturday 3rd and Monday 5th August 2024.
“I want to assure the community that our investigation in respect of those incidents is very much ongoing, and our officers are always on the lookout for those suspected of participating in the unrest.
“Police continue to work hard to ensure that anyone who chooses to take part in this type of criminality faces the consequences of their actions.
“We are committed to ensuring positive criminal justice outcomes for victims.”
Separately, the police are seeking the public’s help in identifying four individuals – as investigations into the disorder in Northern Ireland continue.
Some 17 people have been arrested so far with 13 charged with criminal offences.
A total of 63 police officers were injured during the riots, with many still working as the chaos continues.
In Portadown, Co Armagh, heavy masonry, fireworks, beer kegs and petrol bombs were thrown at police last night.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “Last night the public will have seen large scale police deployments across Northern Ireland.
“In Portadown, police came under significant and sustained attack from rioters.
“It was clear they were intent on attacking homes and businesses in the town and on attacking the police.
“Over the course of the night we controlled the disorder using a range of public order tactics and by making proactive arrests.
“During this time police lines came under attack from heavy masonry, fireworks, beer kegs and petrol bombs.
“Very distressingly we also saw an arson attack on the home of a family with three young children in Coleraine in an awful hate motivated attack.”
Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.
