The town in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, has been the scene of riots for two nights now, as thousands of people have gathered to protest for the release of two 14-year-olds
In an ironic twist of fate, a balaclava-clad rioter in Ballymena felt the sting of instant karma after his botched attempt to hurl a petrol bomb at police spectacularly misfired.
Thousands surged into the town of Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, on June 9 to protest following the weekend arrest of two 14-year-old boys linked to a reported sexual assault near Clonavon Terrace. Both of the young offenders denied charges of attempted oral sexual assault at a magistrates court on Monday morning.
As night fell on Ballymena later that day, protesters shattered the windows of homes along the road near to the alleged offence. The buildings were later torched and ravaged by the inferno. Come 2am, several fires had been set and around 15 police officers had been injured.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson condemned the upheaval as “racist thuggery”, heightening tensions amongst local ethnic minorities. In a heartbreaking morning scene—littered with broken glass and charred bins—residents displayed their national flags above their doorsteps, dreading that they might become the next target for the roving bands of masked rioters.
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One rioter, concealed by a mask, made a failed bid to lob a firebomb at law enforcement amidst the ongoing chaos erupting once more on Tuesday night.
A would-be arsonist wearing a light grey tracksuit found themselves the victim of their own attack after attempting to throw a petrol bomb, leading to dramatic scenes that quickly spread on social media.
The footage shows the misfired incident with the rioter engulfed in flames before frantically seeking assistance from onlookers as the fire took hold, focusing particularly on their backside.
Responding swiftly, people nearby dashed to extinguish the flames from the blazing individual.
As chaos ensued into the evening, the situation in Ballymena escalated, prompting authorities to deploy water cannons and canine units to subdue the growing violence by 11pm on Tuesday.
Heavy police presence blocked off the street of Clonavon Terrace, with reinforcements shielding the area as crowds swarmed the Co Antrim town, with PSNI vehicles blocking thoroughfares to marshal the largely masked groups.
However, fires blazed throughout Ballymena while law enforcement faced volleys of rocks, paint, and assorted projectiles. Several vehicles outside the town hall were also torched amid the gathering twilight.
Local representative Stewart Dickson, Alliance MLA for East Antrim, condemned the unabating turmoil, expressing his disgust: “Shameful behaviour, there is no excuse. Rioters will face the consequences including criminal convictions.”