‘Bigots and racists’ - Boucher promises tough action against rioters
‘Racism is not unique to Ballymena. The whole Ireland is infected by it’ Professor Peter Shirlow, Director, Institute of Irish Studies, School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Peter Shirlow, Liverpool University.
Rally against racism to take place in Belfast on Saturday
Conor McParland, Belfast Media, June 13th, 2025
A RALLY against racism is set to take place at Belfast City Hall on Saturday.
The demonstration comes after a week of disorder, centred on Ballymena which began on Monday following an alleged sexual assault in the town last weekend. Homes of foreign nationals were targeted and set a light. In Larne the leisure centre was also set alight on Wednesday night.
Around 14 families have also been provided with emergency accommodation after being forced to flee their homes in Ballymena.
The PSNI said 63 of their officers have been injured over four nights of violence after coming under "sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks".
Saturday's protest is the first major anti-racism rally in the city since last August following a spate of anti-migrant attacks across the north.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow's rally, United Against Racism Chair, Ivanka Antova, said: "The racist riots we have witnessed have spread fear across our communities and posed a direct threat to the life of migrants.
"United Against Racism will not stand by while far-right agitators whip up such violence.
"We know that the vast majority of people are anti-racist and abhor racist hatred. We are calling on those people, on the trade unions who represent a growing migrant workforce, and all progressive forces to join us to send a clear and resolute message against racism and racist violence."
The rally will take place at 12 noon.
Secretary of state rejects DUP 'hapless' claim over legacy
Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political correspondent, June 13th, 2025
Benn said he made "no apology" for working with the Irish government.
The secretary of state has dismissed claims by the DUP that he is keeping victims and some parties "in the dark" over his government's plans to change how Troubles legacy cases are handled.
Hilary Benn was responding to remarks by DUP leader Gavin Robinson, who described his approach as "hapless".
London and Dublin have been in talks for some time about trying to find a joint way forward, with the two governments meeting on Thursday during the British-Irish Council to discuss the latest developments.
Benn said he made "no apology" for working with the Irish government and others to try and reach a solution.
The DUP said that by Benn meeting Tánaiste (Irish deputy PM) Simon Harris, he had "dishonoured" victims who were concerned about the Irish government's own approach to dealing with the legacy of the past.
Labour intends to retain a new legacy body set up under the legislation - the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).
A number of victims' groups have called for the ICRIR to be scrapped, arguing it is not sufficiently independent to investigate killings during Northern Ireland's decades-long conflict.
Unfinished business
Dublin maintains a legal challenge against the UK government over the legacy act, but Harris has said he believes a deal can still be reached to allow his government to drop that case.
The DUP leader said: "Last night, Hilary Benn disgracefully continued his desire to satisfy the Irish Government, seeking their approval for his actions.
"In meeting Simon Harris to negotiate next steps, he dishonours the countless victims in Northern Ireland that I have met over recent months who lament that whilst he may listen, he does not hear."
He also accused Dublin of having a "scandalous approach" to legacy.
"The Irish continue to ruthlessly defend their sovereign information, yet Hilary Benn concedes their unconstitutional role in determining how the UK deals with ours," said Robinson.
"The Irish government have knowledge of and influence upon UK legacy plans, yet Northern Ireland victims, veterans and Parliamentarians are kept in the dark by the secretary of state without so much as a blush on his face."
Speaking at the British-Irish Council, Benn said legacy remained "unfinished business" and that all politicians had a responsibility to find a way forward.
"We are making good progress... the lesson indeed exemplified by the Good Friday Agreement is that we make most progress when we work together."
‘The Lead Untangles’: Peaceful protest into riots in Ballymena
We look at how violence has flared in Northern Ireland over the past week and hear from Ballymena-based journalist Kathryn Johnston as she looks at what can be done
The Lead and Kathryn Johnston, June 13, 2025
What is happening in Ballymena? Allegations of a sex assault against a 13-year-old girl. A peaceful protest morphs into riots focussing on members of Ballymena’s migrant community. Attacks on police with fireworks, petrol bombs, and boulders. Cars burned out, houses attacked. Police use baton rounds and water cannon in vain attempt to control rioters. This week’s Untangles comes to you slightly later than usual this Friday as we hear from Kathryn in Ballymena.
Facts - At a glance
On Saturday 7 June there was an alleged violent sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl in Ballymena in the area of Clonavon Terrace in Ballymena South.
The following Monday, two 14-year-old boys appeared in court charged with the crime, speaking through a Romanian interpreter. Both deny the charges.
That evening, a crowd of over 4,000 people attended a protest at a car park in the nearby Harryville area. The protest – largely – was peaceful, but as it ended over 300 people, most of them young boys and men, made their way to the area where the young girl had been assaulted, which borders on the back of Ballymena’s large, highly fortified police station.
As soon as the protestors reached Clonavon Terrace, they broke windows in houses both there and on neighbouring streets. They kicked down doors and broke into occupied houses as they searched in vain for other suspected perpetrators. Other groups of youths and men launched petrol bombs, fireworks and bricks at officers from the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI).
The next day, police issued a statement about a further arrest: ‘A 28-year-old man was arrested yesterday evening, Monday 9th June. He has been unconditionally released from police custody following questioning.’
This rioting has become a pattern up until Wednesday night and has spread to other towns, including the setting alight of Larne’s leisure centre - while children’s swimming lessons were taking place - when the Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, revealed that it had been used to temporarily rehouse refugees from the violence in Ballymena.
Context
Ballymena was originally a very prosperous Unionist borough. However, the 21st century has seen a collapse in well-established industries such as Michelin, Japan Tobacco International (JTI), and Wrightbus.
This decline in manufacturing industries coincided with a surge in migration to the town. Polish workers arrived in the first surge, and later Romanians and Roma groups, as well as Bulgarians, moved into Ballymena.
Inadequate public housing and asylum services were compounded by this economic failure, and the town is a faltering shadow of its once comfortable past.
A scarcity of meaningful employment for the 31,000 Ballymena residents at the 2021 census has inevitably contributed to growing unemployment figures, as well as poverty and social exclusion.
Violent and brutal crime is part of the town’s legacy from the Northern Ireland troubles. Although the Good Friday Agreement, which established a peace process and an eventual shared government, was signed in 1998, there are many terrible events in Ballymena and its hinterland which cast a long shadow over the town’s present and future.
What are our politicians saying?
Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein First Minister of Northern Ireland has said that the violence in Ballymena over the last two nights is "pure racism, there's no other way to dress it up".
Jim Allister, the local MP for the Traditional Unionist Voice party, suggested the “very distressing” scenes were a product of unhappiness at “significant demographic change in the area” caused by “unfettered immigration”.
By Tuesday, however, he was saying on X that ‘Tonight’s further senseless violence in Ballymena is helping no cause, just destroying our own town and getting young men criminal records. Stop it.’
Sian Mulholland, who represents the moderate Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI) for the constituency as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) said on Wednesday, ‘What we need now is calm and leadership from politicians to call out this behaviour before someone loses their life.’
Back in the real world, death is “only a petrol bomb away”, Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty International’s Northern Ireland director warned as he told how the Ballymena riots had been stoked by disinformation on social media.
What are the police saying?
Yesterday the Chief Constable of the Police Service for Northern Ireland, Jon Boutcher, held a press conference to brief journalists about the situation.
‘Criminal justice will take its course,’ he warned, calling this week’s events ‘wanton, disgraceful behaviour that is absolutely race-motivated".
Boutcher promised grimly, ‘We will come after you, we will arrest you, we will prosecute you successfully.’
And as if to underline this, the Chief Constable said, ‘We've identified a third suspect who is currently outside the jurisdiction.’ ‘But’, he added, ‘we will be bringing him back into the jurisdiction’.
Last night was largely peaceful, though there was some sporadic rioting in both Portadown and Ballymena.
Pride Parade
As Lenin said, what is to be done? There are several central issues. Racism, femicide and the crisis in young white masculinity. Not to mention Ballymena’s paramilitary past. At the end of this month there is a Pride parade in Ballymena – our first. Already four protests have been lodged.
And it is just coming up to the traditional 12th July Orange Order celebrations – a time when feelings are heightened and on the 11th night, effigies, images and flags are traditionally burned on the top of massive bonfires.
Several years ago, bonfires in Ballymena torched an Irish flag a move designed to provoke a reaction and heighten tensions in the town. With marching season ahead, whose effigy will be burned this year?
One thing is for sure. Politicians, community leaders and our public services have a tough time ahead of them. If anyone has an answer, get in touch.
About The Lead Untangles: In an era where misinformation is actively and deliberately used by elected politicians and where advocates and opposers of beliefs state their point of view as fact, sometimes the most useful tool reporters have is to help readers make sense of the world.
The Lead Untangles is delivered each Friday by The Lead and focuses on a different complex, divisive issue with each edition. If there’s something you think we should be featuring in Untangles, drop ed@thelead.uk a line. Our thanks to the Irish News for the use of an image in this week’s edition - you can see their coverage and support their on the ground reporting.
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About the author: Kathryn Johnston is an author, broadcaster, researcher and freelance journalist. She has contributed to The Sunday Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Belfast Telegraph, The Times, Irish Times, BBC, Ulster Television and many others. Together with her late husband, Liam Clarke, she wrote and published Martin Mcguinness: From guns to government. Kathryn is a member of the Belfast Branch Committee of the National Union of Journalists, and a member of the Irish Executive Council of the NUJ.
Chair announced to lead Finucane inquiry
Jayne McCormack, BBC News NI political correspondent June 13th, 2025
Sir Gary Hickinbottom has been appointed by the government to chair the inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane.
Last September, it was announced that an independent public inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Finucane's death would be set up.
The 39-year-old was shot at his home in Belfast by loyalist paramilitaries in front of his wife and children.
Several examinations of the case have found evidence of state collusion in the killing.
The Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said that the "exceptional reason" of outstanding and unfulfilled commitments by previous UK governments to establish a public inquiry meant it should proceed.
The inquiry will be established under the 2005 Inquiries Act, with full powers, including the power to compel the production of documents and to summon witnesses to give evidence on oath.
Sir Gary is a former Court of Appeals judge who also chaired the Post Office Overturned Convictions Independent Pecuniary Losses Assessment Panel and the Horizon Convictions Redress Panel.
The government has also confirmed the appointment of former Police Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O'Loan, and international human rights lawyer Francesca Del Mese, as assessors to the inquiry.
‘A barbarous and heinous crime’
Confirming the announcement via a written statement to parliament, Benn said: "The murder of Mr Finucane was a barbarous and heinous crime and one which continues to highlight the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
"I commend and support the tireless campaign of Mrs Finucane and her family in seeking answers to the brutal murder of their loved one and I am confident that this Inquiry will provide answers to the family who have suffered so terribly."
Benn said he was delighted that the chair had accepted the position.
"I am confident that, together, their valuable knowledge, experience and professionalism will be of great benefit to the work of the Inquiry," he said.
Sir Gary said he was "privileged" to take on responsibility for leading the public inquiry.
"At the heart of this case lies a family who lost their husband and father in horrific circumstances, and I look forward to meeting the Finucane family in Belfast as soon as possible," he added.
The government said it will undertake a consultation exercise with the chair on the proposed terms of reference for the inquiry, which will be agreed and published in due course.
Who was Pat Finucane?
Pat Finucane was a well-known defence solicitor who frequently acted for high profile IRA members.
He also represented loyalists in his work.
In February 1989 he was shot 14 times by two gunmen.
His wife, Geraldine, was also wounded.
One of his sons is the Sinn Féin MP John Finucane.
At an inquest into his death police refuted claims that Mr Finucane was in the IRA.
In 2012, Sir Desmond de Silva's report into the murder found there was agent involvement and that police took no action on threat intelligence regarding Mr Finucane.
Police attacked during fourth night of unrest in Northern Ireland - 41 injured so far
Updated / Friday, 13 Jun 2025 06:35
Rioters clashed with PSNI public order units as trouble extended to Portadown last night
By Conor Macauley, Northern Correspondent, RTE
Police were attacked during a fourth consecutive night of trouble in Northern Ireland.
Disorder switched from Co Antrim to Co Armagh where rioters clashed with PSNI public order units in Portadown.
It followed an anti-immigration rally in the town centre which was attended by hundreds of people that had passed off without incident.
A police helicopter hovered low over the town centre during a large security operation. But as people left town after the demonstration, some clashed with police.
Masonry was thrown at officers and there was a number of arrests.
By contrast, Ballymena, the focus of much of the trouble earlier this week, appeared to be relatively quiet.
Last night 80 police officers from Police Scotland arrived in Northern Ireland. They were called in under a mechanism called Mutual Aid which allows UK police forces to support one another.
The Scottish police officers will fill in to allow PSNI officers to get some rest.
So far, 41 PSNI officers have been injured and there has been 15 arrests.
More arrests have been promised as police trawl CCTV and social media footage.
Yesterday a judge warned those convicted of offences should expect to be dealt with "robustly" by the courts.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher had said he wants to see lengthy custodial sentences as a deterrent.
Mr Boutcher has warned that the cost of policing the rioting could run to several million pounds if it were to continue for much longer.
He said that was money that would have to come from public finances.
Hopes rise that riots are receding as PSNI and courts begin to deal with the aftermath
Staff Reporter, Irish News, June 13th, 2025
POLICE chief Jon Boutcher has warned “bigots and racists” behind several nights of violence that his officers will be coming after them.
Mr Boutcher said a young girl who was the victim of an alleged sexual assault in Ballymena at the weekend – an incident that triggered protests that descended into violence in the Co Antrim town – had been “further traumatised” by the rioting that has been witnessed since Monday.
Dozens of officers have been injured in the unrest which has also resulted in several arrests and four teenagers brought before the courts.
The riotous behaviour saw vandalism, vehicles burned and arson attacks on a number of properties across several towns.
Petrol bombs, fireworks, masonry and a hatchet were among items thrown at officers over the three nights of disorder.
Police responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the town.
Mr Boutcher, who met with the girl’s family yesterday, delivered a stark message to the rioters as he spoke to the media in Belfast following a meeting with the Policing Board.
Cases will be dealt with ‘robustly’ says Judge
Earlier, a district judge in Ballymena magistrates’ court said a strong message had to be sent out that those involved in the disorder would be dealt with “robustly”. Four young people appeared before the court charged with riot.
An Olympic swimmer, meanwhile, has spoken of her devastation after an attack on a leisure centre which she describes as a “safe place for so many”.
Masked youths attacked Larne Leisure Centre under the impression it was housing immigrant families who had been affected by violence.
Danielle Hill, who competed in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the 2020 Games in Tokyo, spoke of her sadness at events in the town that “I have proudly represented on the world stage”.
Hill, who is a member of Larne Swimming Club and also coaches younger children at the club, said the leisure centre was a safe space for many people. “No child should ever be forced to witness masked men in their home community,” she said.
“What unfolded was not just violence – it was racism in its rawest and most dangerous form. Young people seeking ‘fun’ in a senseless act of vandalism. And its consequences are already being felt; a local community torn apart, families left frightened, workers left without incomes.”
Last night, there was a heavy police presence in Portadown and minor incidents reported elsewhere.
In east Belfast, there was a small protest that lasted about 30 minutes.
‘I thought Northern Ireland was past this’
Seanín Graham, Irish Times, June 13th, 2025
Olympic swimmer tells of shock after arson attack on Larne leisure centre marks third night of disorder in North
On a leafy avenue overlooking Larne promenade on Wednesday night, groups of masked men made their way to the Co Antrim town’s leisure centre.
Residents living in large detached houses on Tower Road watched on in horror as the centre – which had provided emergency shelter to migrant families burnt out of their homes 32km away in Ballymena – was set on fire.
“They were coming up the road handing out balaclavas to each other, they were well organised. I’ve been living in this area for 50 years and never seen anything like it it’s appalling,” said one woman walking along the promenade on Thursday.
Inside the centre, children as young as six were getting changed for their weekly swimming lesson and a yoga session was under way as protesters began banging on windows.
It marked the third night of violent disorder in Northern Ireland following an alleged sexual assault of a girl in Ballymena 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.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) chief constable Jon Boutcher described the unrest as “absolutely race-motivated”. To date, 41 officers have been injured and 15 people arrested. Three teenagers have appeared in court charged with rioting offences following recent violence in Ballymena.
Standing outside a police cordon at Larne Leisure Centre yesterday afternoon, swim coach Danielle Hill became emotional as she recalled the moment she saw four masked men appear when she went to move her car the previous evening.
Hill (25) is a double Olympian from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim – she represented Ireland at the Tokyo and Paris summer games – and was waiting to take a group of children into the 25m pool at 7pm. At 7.22pm she received a phone call, warning her that trouble had flared after an earlier peaceful protest outside the centre attended by about 50 people.
Very scary
“Hundreds had gathered by the time I went to move my car. Four men wearing balaclavas came around the corner. I have never experienced anything like that. When I saw them I paused. It was very scary,” she said.
“My first thought was to get back inside to inform everybody. They had no idea what was going on, I was the eyes and ears outside. My first port of call was the children – there was about 30 to 40 kids inside.”
Hill, who had not slept in 24 hours, appealed for calm.
“I thought Northern Ireland was past this; I thought we were beyond balaclavas. I thought we were beyond the violence. Kids shouldn’t have to grow up in that. Last night was so unnecessary, it didn’t achieve anything,” she said.
“This stemmed from an alleged sexual attack on a young girl, but last night has nothing to do with sexual violence. What unfolded was racism in its rawest and most dangerous form.”
Earlier yesterday, a political row erupted over comments by Stormont Communities Minister Gordon Lyons on social media hours before the attack in Larne, in which he posted the location of the centre – where migrants had stayed earlier in the week after fleeing their homes.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill called for his resignation, accusing him of “failing to show correct leadership”, but Mr Lyons defended his position and said he had no intention of resigning.
Extra police resources are being deployed to the North from Police Scotland to deal with the disturbances.
O’Neill adds to calls for DUP minister to resign for ‘inflaming tensions’
Allan Preston, Irish News, June 13th, 2025
THE First Minister Michelle O’Neill has added to calls for the DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons to consider his position following criticism of a social media post sent hours before an attack on Larne Leisure Centre.
Mr Lyons said he would “strongly hit back at any notion” that he had publicly revealed the facility was being used to house immigrant families who had been affected by violence in Ballymena.
Masked youths attacked the leisure centre on Wednesday night and set it on fire.
Prior to the fire, Mr Lyons posted on social media that the building had been used to accommodate several people following riotous behaviour in the town of Ballymena, which is 30 minutes away.
Police said that ethnic minorities have been targeted in the violence which they have described as “racist thuggery”.
Mr Lyons’ post said: “As a local MLA for the area, neither I nor my DUP council colleagues were made aware or consulted on this decision until late this afternoon.”
He added: “It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne.
“Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful.”
“I believe he should consider his position
Benn says comments ‘not helpful’
Some politicians have said Mr Lyons should be considering his position and Secretary of State Hilary Benn said it was not helpful to publicise where people had been moved.
Mr Benn said he felt Mr Lyons “might want to reflect on what he said”.
Commenting on the backlash, Ms O’Neill said: “He has failed to show correct leadership and I think that his commentary falls very short and very much strays into the territory of inflaming the situation, so I think that he should consider his position.”
Asked directly if he should resign, she said: “Yes, I believe he should consider his position.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little -Pengelly, a DUP party colleague of Mr Lyons, said: “I think that what the people of Northern Ireland need and want right now is to see that the executive is united, and united on a very clear message.
“That is incredibly important, we have just seen three nights of violent disorder.”
Lyons stands over comments
Mr Lyons was asked by the BBC Good Morning Ulster programme if he should still be in his job and replied: “Absolutely.”
He said: “My message was posted because rumours had been circulating that the leisure centre was to be turned into a permanent centre, the messages flying about that caravans were being brought into the car park there. A protest had already been planned at 7pm last evening.
“The PSNI was then in contact with one of our local councillors and they were keen that we highlight the fact that the leisure centre was no longer being used for this purpose, they wanted to stop the rumours that people were being permanently housed there and all of that was the catalyst for the protest.
“As a result of that, I posted a clarification that the centre had been used but that was temporary and was no longer being used for that purpose.”
Mr Lyons said he believed it was right that public representatives should be consulted when emergency protocols are put in place.
He said: “I believe that information is key here so that rumours don’t circulate around.
“I will very strongly hit back at any notion that I have revealed the use of this facility to the public when the protest was already planned, when everybody knew what was happening.”
Mr Benn said: “If people have been forced out of their homes, they need to be taken to a place of safety and they need to be looked after because they will be traumatised and they will be frightened. I don’t think it helps matters at all to publicise where they have been taken.”
O’Toole reports social media posts to Standards Commissioner
Matthew O’Toole, the SDLP’s leader of the opposition in the assembly, said he would refer Mr Lyons’ social media post to the standards commissioner.
Sinn Féin finance minister John O’Dowd said that Mr Lyons should consider his position for showing a lack of sympathy for his post.
Mr O’Dowd said: “What struck me about the post from Gordon Lyons was the complete lack of empathy or sympathy with the men, women and children that have been burnt out of their homes.”
Mr O’Dowd continued: “Gordon should also have known, as communities and housing minister, he should have been making enquiries as to where those people who were driven from their homes… He shouldn’t have been spending his time posting on social media, following the crowd. He should have been leading, and unfortunately in this instance he failed to lead.”
By yesterday afternoon, the Assembly’s Communities Committee has expressed no confident in Minister Lyons, proposed by Sinn Féin’s Maolíosa McHugh.
“The comments made by the communities minister were outrageous in the context of an already volatile situation,” he said.
“We have to expect better from the communities minister whose focus should properly have been on housing and protecting the victims of racist intimidation, including five terrified children and a heavily pregnant woman. That is why I proposed the no confidence motion in committee.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew said Mr Lyons’ post was “reckless and inflammatory”.
He added: “Leadership should show responsibility – not feed into the fear of the vulnerable.”
Alliance leader and justice minister Naomi Long called the violent scenes this week “utterly depressing and terrifying.”
On Mr Lyon’s defence that he had been trying to clarify the situation in Larne, she said: “I think if Gordon had wanted to diffuse the situation there were a number of things he could have done… He did not need to mention Larne Leisure Centre that was being used as a place of safety.”
While Mr Lyons said this information was already in the public domain, Ms Long said his post had “elevated it.”
“He should have been fully aware of the situation, so to say he wasn’t consulted, to me, is an extraordinary statement.”
Áine Groogan of the Green Party also called for Mr Lyons to resign.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said the leisure centre had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in nearby Ballymena but the families had been safely relocated elsewhere.
PSNI 'unsure' whether paramilitaries are co-ordinating violence on streets
Olivia Peden, Irish Independent, June 13th, 2025
THUGS FIREBOMB LEISURE CENTRE RUMOURED ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO BE HOUSING EVACUEES
Masked youths have attacked Larne Leisure Centre by smashing windows and setting fires in a third day of disorder.
Social media posts have suggested that those moved out of Ballymena homes were being housed there earlier today. It is understood there is currently nobody inside the Leisure Centre.
It comes as protestors have gathered in towns across Northern Ireland with some being peaceful, while others have turned violent.
The initial rioting ignited in Ballymena with the PSNI saying it is "not clear” if paramilitaries are coordinating violence in the Co Antrim town.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson, speaking during a press conference yesterday, said: "At this point it's not clear to us or through intelligence or what we're hearing if there's paramilitary coordination to it.”
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn is planning to visit Ballymena, it has been announced.
The PSNI have requested support from colleagues in the rest of the UK following further violence, a senior officer has said.
PSNI assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson said the force would be bringing extra officers, vehicles and equipment to areas where unrest has flared.
He said there were disgraceful scenes in Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey on Tuesday, as businesses, homes and cars were attacked and damaged.
Arrests
By yesterday six individuals had been arrested for public order offences, and one charged.
A "significant policing operation” was to be in place in Ballymena and beyond from last night and in the coming days.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer has said he "utterly condemns” the violence, which has left 32 police officers injured.
PSNI chief constable Jon Boutcher has warned that the rioting "risks undermining” the criminal justice process into an allegation of a sex attack on a teenage girl at the weekend.
Stormont ministers have also made an urgent appeal for calm and said the justice process had to be allowed to take its course.
Providing an update on the policing operation yesterday, Mr Henderson said: "We are taking steps to increase available resources and are securing a significant number of extra officers, vehicles and equipment to those areas where the rioting is taking place.
"This will have an impact on our community, this will take away vital resources needed to police other areas.
"It will have an impact on our ability to serve communities.
"As part of my forward planning, I have now activated the request for mutual aid resources from policing colleagues in Great Britain.”
He said they have requested about 80 officers through mutual aid.
Sinn Fein, DUP, Alliance issue Joint Statement
In a joint statement, ministers from across the Stormont powersharing Executive, which includes Sinn Féin, the DUP, the Alliance Party and the UUP, said those involved in disorder have nothing to offer society but "division and disorder”.
First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly later appeared together to voice their condemnation.
Ms O'Neill told reporters: "It's pure racism, there is no other way to dress it up.”
She said ministers stood full-square with the young girl who was subject to the alleged sex attack, but she said the criminal justice system must be allowed to deal with that case.
"Separate to that is the racism that we're seeing… people being firebombed out of their homes, people having their doors knocked in, having their windows being smashed, families being intimidated,” Ms O'Neill added.
"That is absolutely unacceptable and everything that needs to be done to bring it to an end is our focus in terms of the engagement we have with the PSNI.”
Ms Little-Pengelly described the scenes in Ballymena as "unacceptable thuggery”, adding: "We've been in contact with the chief constable, and in constant contact with the PSNI.
"I think today is about sending a very clear message that violence is wrong, it is entirely unacceptable. It must stop.”
With the protests focused in predominantly loyalist areas in Ballymena, Ms O'Neill said she did not believe a visit by her would prove helpful in the current context.
Little-Pengelly visits Ballymena
DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly visited the town yesterday, and met locals.
She said the community is in fear and wants the violence to stop.
Police said their officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown in their direction in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena on Tuesday night.
The PSNI deployed riot police, fired plastic baton rounds and used water cannon as well as dog units in response.
Police also reported that "sporadic disorder” had also occurred in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, as well as incidents in north Belfast.
It came after similar violent disorder around Clonavon Terrace in the town on Monday night, following an earlier peaceful protest.
Two teenage boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged with the alleged sexual assault.
A PSNI spokesperson said earlier on Tuesday evening that a number of protests took place in areas of Belfast, Lisburn, Coleraine and Newtownabbey.
In Carrickfergus, two bins were set alight and bottles and masonry thrown at police in the Sunnylands area by a group of 20 to 30 young people at about 8.30pm.
Demand for action as Facebook page shares addresses
Paul Ainsworth, Irish News, June 13th, 2025
There has been a call for “urgent” action against a Facebook page on which house addresses in Ballymena are being shared amid racist violence in the town.
The ‘Ballymena Reaction Group’ page has posted the names of streets in Ballymena, under which users have posted addresses, with some saying they are “local” in an apparent bid for the properties not to be targeted.
On the page, a post about one street saw a Facebook user reply with a list of numbers, adding: “We are all locals who have lived on this street the majority of our lives.”
Another user provided a house number, and wrote it was home to their elderly grandparent.
“Been there since the 80s and a prouder Orangeman you wouldn’t meet,” they said.
Some residents in Ballymena have been hanging flags and notices on doors and windows in a bid to prevent damage from the rampaging mob.
“Saw elderly people putting the union jacks up this afternoon. Totally heartbreaking to watch,” a user on the page wrote.
In a post on Wednesday, the page hosts wrote that one house on a street had been “mistakenly attacked”. They added that “Romas live on that street”, before signing the post off with “please keep our community safe”.
“ This is a very dangerous situation in Ballymena, and what is happening on this page is absolutely disgusting and disgraceful. The PSNI need to investigate this page and whoever is behind it as a matter of urgency
An earlier post saw the host describe the racist rioters as “more informed than being given credit for” after attacking two houses.
“Message received hopefully,” the host added.
‘Time to take back the streets’
On Monday afternoon, ahead of the first night of violence, the page host posted: “It’s time we were back on the streets, only this time its different. Call us racist if you want, it wont deter us.”
Sinn Féin North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan condemned those behind the page, and called for immediate action to be taken by both police and Facebook parent company Meta.
“This is a very dangerous situation in Ballymena, and what is happening on this page is absolutely disgusting and disgraceful,” he said.
“The PSNI need to investigate this page and whoever is behind it as a matter of urgency.
“They should be moving in conjunction with Facebook to remove this page, and I would urge social media platforms to take a serious look at the sort of thing that is being shared on their sites without impunity.”
Speaking of social media content, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the force is “aware” of social media posts that refer to activity linked to protests or disorder.
“Police will not tolerate a repeat of the scenes we saw last night in Ballymena and other parts of Northern Ireland,” he said yesterday.
“We will continue to diligently monitor the situation to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response.”
The Irish News approached Meta for comment.
RUC probe into 1989 UVF murder of Catholic man was ‘seriously defective’
Connla Young, Irish News, June 13th, 2025
THE RUC investigation into the murder of a Catholic man almost 40 years ago was ‘seriously defective’, the Police Ombudsman has found.
John Devine (37) was shot dead in his Fallswater Street home in west Belfast in July 1989.
The father-of-three was at home with his 13-year-old son Sean when armed men entered their house and opened fire on Mr Devine at close range.
He died at the scene. The murder was later claimed by the Protestant Action Force, a cover name for the UVF.
A murder case against former Red Hand Commando (RHC) leader Winston “Winkie” Rea ended in 2023 when he died.
Rea was also charged with the murder of Belfast man John O’Hara.
Earlier this year the Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson revealed a long list of police failures in relation to that case.
The murder charges were brought against Rea after he provided information to an oral history project at Boston College.
In her report Ms Anderson reveals how a man named as Person 1, understood to be Winston Rea was one of 36 ‘persons of interest’ who “ought to have been treated as a suspect” in the murder.
She reveals he was named in intelligence received by RUC Special Branch in July 1989 as the person who sanctioned the killing.
This and other intelligence was passed on to the murder investigation team.
One piece of intelligence claimed Person 1 was responsible for the murder and that he had threatened Mr Devine after a physical altercation at a coal yard in April 1989.
Refused to stand for anthem at Christmas Party
Other intelligence suggested Mr Devine had punched Person 1 amid suggestion of a fall out after Mr Devine refused to stand for the British national anthem at the end of a Christmas party.
It is now known police did not interview people about the incident, including the victim’s wife.
The ombudsman has revealed that other pieces of intelligence linking Person 1 to the murder were marked NDD, ‘not for downward dissemination’, and no evidence was found that the intelligence was shared with investigators.
It has also been reviewed that in August 1989 Person 1 was interviewed as a witness and not a suspect in the murder.
Father-of-three John Devine was shot in his west Belfast home as he sat with his 13-year-old son
At that time Person 1 claimed he was not involved and declined to make a statement.
Ombudsman satisfied there are grounds for an arrest
Ms Anderson said she is now “satisfied that, given the available evidence, intelligence, and information, grounds existed for the arrest of Person 1 at that time”.
Ms Anderson further underlined her concern about the role of Person 1.
“There is no evidence of a rationale for police treating Person 1 as a witness when he ought to have been treated as a suspect and interviewed under criminal caution,” she said.
“This is a matter of concern for me given the available intelligence and information linking him to the murder.”
Ms Anderson said there was no “specific intelligence available to police that, if acted upon, could have prevented the murder of Mr Devine”.
However, she has revealed that on two separate occasions the RUC recovered information from loyalist intelligence caches the included details directly attributable to Mr Devine.
The first document, recovered during a search in the Shankill Road area in 1987, referred to a John Devine.
While a date of birth matched, an address and photograph were not his.
‘Failure to exploit all available opportunities’
I am satisfied that the failure to fully exploit all the available forensic opportunities evidenced an incomplete police investigation
The same document was among firearms, ammunition and other material found by police at a house in south Belfast in 1988.
A number of seized documents later formed part of the Stevens Inquiry, set up in 1989 to examine collusion, and were attributed to British agent and UDA intelligence officer Brian Nelson.
Ms Anderson said her investigation found no evidence that Mr Devine “had been advised of the potential threat to his security, or that police gave consideration to the potential risk it presented to him, including whether a ‘threat to life’ warning was appropriate”.
The ombudsman said the possibility that Mr Devine may have been a victim of mistaken identity was considered by police, but there are no records clarifying the outcome.
It has also been confirmed that at Mr Devine’s inquest a police officer said they did not believe the “victim had any connection with the republican movement”.
A series of other investigative failings include fingerprint comparisons being carried out against just three people and a failure to cross examine fingerprint marks taken from the murder scene against ten finger prints recovered from a stolen taxi used by the killers.
Forensic evidence ignored
Other fingerprint failures were also highlighted while no consideration was given to forensically examining cigarette butts and wood shavings found in the stolen taxi.
It has also emerged the depot where the taxi was ordered by the killers was not “identified as a scene by police and was not forensically examined”.
“I am satisfied that the failure to fully exploit all the available forensic opportunities evidenced an incomplete police investigation,” Ms Anderson said.
The report also pointed to failures to carry out full house to house inquiries and follow up with potential witnesses.
Ms Anderson said the “unavailability of police documentation” has been identified “as a recurring systemic issue in historical investigations which has hindered investigators from ‘capturing a full picture of RUC murder investigations.”
“The absence of records in this case has hampered my investigation,” Mrs Anderson added.
‘Beyond mere insomptence’ - O Muirigh
Padraig Ó Muirigh, of Ó Muirigh Solicitors said the Devine family welcomed the ombudsman’s findings.
“These findings are a damning indictment of the RUC investigation into John Devine’s murder,” he said.
“Given the role of Brian Nelson in targeting Mr Devine there are also serious questions in relation to the knowledge and role of the military in this murder.”
Mr Ó Muirigh said “the breadth and nature of these failings cannot be explained by mere incompetence”.
“The Devine family have a long-held view that those involved in the murder were protected from prosecution by the RUC and that the security forces colluded with loyalist paramilitaries.
“That view has been reinforced by these findings.”
Be warned – the past will always be catching up with us
Alex Kane, Irish News, June 13th, 2025
I was very struck by David Adams’s column in Tuesday’s Irish News: ‘The truth is that we can’t handle the true story of the Troubles.’
And he is, of course, correct in his assessment. That’s because the space for truth in a post-conflict society must lie somewhere between the acceptance by all former combatants (and their support bases in broader civic society) that there is now no further need for violence; and the additional acceptance that the surest way to prevent the return of violence a generation later lies in the emergence of an agreed narrative over which the conflict generation is prepared to stand.
Truth matters: even the most uncomfortable ones. It matters because without it there cannot be genuine reconciliation.
Secrecy and cover-up nurture the next generation of problems; and in nurturing those problems they also solidify the ancient grudges and divisions which keep succeeding generations in their own areas, schools, clubs and political parties.
The IRA Army Council, albeit in an overarching role, exists because we haven’t dealt with the past. The LCC exists because we haven’t dealt with the past. Families and victims are denied access to the truth because we haven’t dealt with the past. ‘Normal’ politics here has proved impossible to deliver because we haven’t dealt with the past. The list goes on.
Meanwhile, 31 years after the 1994 ceasefires and 27 years after the Good Friday Agreement, around 80% of those who vote do so for what are still recognisable as conflict parties.
Even the self-styled middle ground vote is mostly built around Alliance, also a conflict party; meaning that the middle ground still occupies that very bizarre position between unionism and republicanism. It has never broken free from that trap.
But wouldn’t you have thought that by now we would have seen hard evidence of the emergence of new-era, new-generation political parties and vehicles.
Where is that generation: that generation which doesn’t remember the Troubles because they were either winding down before they had grown into their teens or, indeed, they hadn’t even been born before 1998?
No post-conflict polical parties with post conflict politics
Why hasn’t that generation brought forward its own post conflict parties?
The most obvious answer, I suppose, is that this is not a post-conflict society. How could it be, when my generation has lumbered them with the unresolved wreckage of our own past.
Yes, it’s a safer Northern Ireland for them than it was for us; but it’s also a Northern Ireland in which lie has been piled upon lie to hide the assembled truths of paramilitaries, governments, politicians, intelligence services and a veritable army of touts and spies.
All of which means that reconciliation between the former combatants and between the past and the present is impossible. As it stands we are always going to be dragged back to the roots of our ongoing divisions.
Just look, for instance, at how almost every opinion poll, irrespective of the questions and issues for which responses are sought, is then interpreted as some sort of yardstick by which to gauge the levels of support for either Irish unity or the status quo.
But even if we did know every truth that needed to be known, it wouldn’t resolve the reconciliation problem, because the constitutional battle would still carry on.
How, after all, can you reconcile two political/constitutional communities when they both support and promote diametrically opposing and mutually contradictory visions for the future (even Alliance won’t be able to hide from making a call on the issue at some point).
And isn’t it also likely that the continuing absence of the unvarnished truth would also thoroughly poison any future border poll campaign – which I still think is more likely than not in the next decade.
My gut feeling is that we’ve more chance of nailing down Macavity the cat (‘You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air, but I tell you once and once again, Macavity’s not there!’) than we have of nailing down the truth underpinning the past.
“ Building anything on lies and hidden truth will always end badly. We are, I believe, in a very dark place right now”
Of course, some younger readers may respond with something along the lines: ‘Why worry. Your generation will soon be dead, and we can get on with things in our own way.’
Hmm. The past always catches up, though. Worse, the past is usually very content with its own narrative and continuing influence upon the present.
Because, of course, the past is also a version of the truth: a truth that those who shaped it need to keep hidden. A dark, brutal, ugly and very bloody truth.
But, as Shakespeare knew, “truth will come to light; murder cannot be hid long; a man’s son may, but in the end truth will out”.
Building anything on lies and hidden truth will always end badly. We are, I believe, in a very dark place right now.
London confident deal will help ease post-Brexit friction
Rebecca Black, Irish News, June 13th, 2025
BRITISH government ministers have expressed confidence that post-Brexit trade friction between the north and Britain will be eased by a deal with the EU.
The movement of trade was one of the main discussions at the first meeting of the East-West Council to take place in Northern Ireland yesterday, which was also attended by members of Intertrade UK.
Earlier this month the London said border checks on fruit and vegetables imported from the EU will be scrapped, to ease trade, ahead of its new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal with the EU.
Secretary of State Hilary Benn, Northern Ireland Office minister Fleur Anderson and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden held discussions with First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly at the Custom House in Belfast yesterday.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr McFadden said the main topics were ensuring smooth trade between Britain and Northern Ireland, and the new Connect Fund to support community groups.
He said he believed the recent agreement between the UK and EU will “go a long way” to reducing friction and restoring the free flow of trade.
Trade flows will improve
Mr Benn also expressed confidence the flow of trade will be smoothed.
“It comes after a very busy period with the negotiation of the new relationship with the EU, and one of the issues we discussed was the beneficial impact an SPS deal will have on the flow of the agrifood and plant products from GB to Northern Ireland,” he said.
He added: “The new government was elected in July, we came in and said we want to build a closer, better relationship with the EU and you saw the result of that in the agreement that was reached at the summit a few weeks ago.
“And for Northern Ireland the single most important part of that agreement was to work together to get an SPS agreement in place because that would deal with a lot of the things that people are having to cope with at the moment in respect of agri food products and plants moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
“I hope that will give businesses real hope for the future, and we want to get on and put that new SPS scheme in place as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile Ms Anderson announced the Connect Fund, which will provide awards from a funding pot of up to £1 million to support groups working in sectors which directly affect Northern Ireland communities.
It will be open to groups seeking to strengthening eastwest connections, with bids are invited for between £300 and £50,000.
Ms Anderson said it will “support better connections between community groups and individuals of all ages between Northern Ireland and Great Britain”.
“I ran a community centre before I was an MP and so I know the value that this funding will bring,” she said.
“I urge local community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland to apply to take part in this great opportunity, and look forward to the positive changes which this fund will bring to communities in the coming years.”
The movement of trade was one of the main discussions at the meeting of the EastWest Council in Belfast yesterday.
Homelessness in north reaches ‘unprecedented high’, data shows
Irish News, June 13th, 2025
4,730 children – a 76% increase – in temporary accommodation, half aged nine and under
Ways must be found to increase housing supply or homelessness levels will continue to rise, say campaigners
HOMELESSNESS in Northern Ireland is at an “unprecedented high”, new statistics show.
More than 4,700 children are living in temporary accommodation.
Figures published by the Department for Communities yesterday reveal that 5,220 households were in temporary accommodation in May this year.
This is a rise of more than double from 2,413, in January 2020.
In early May, 4,730 children under 18 were living in temporary accommodation. Almost half were aged nine or younger. This is a 76% increase.
More than half of these children – 2,652 – live in the Belfast City Council area.
Derry City and Strabane have 491 children in temporary accommodation, while Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon account for 347.
Between October 2024 and March 2025, 7,637 households contacted the Housing Executive to say they were homeless.
Of these, 67% were officially accepted as homeless. Both figures are lower than the previous year.
Belfast had the highest rate of households reporting homelessness, with 7.1 reports per 1,000 people – a total of 2,486 between April and September.
Derry City and Strabane followed with 870 reports and a rate of 5.8 per 1,000 people.
The average across Northern Ireland was 4.0 reports per 1,000 people.
Child homelessness is neither normal or acceptable
Nicola McCrudden, Chief Executive of Homeless Connect, said the new figures “come as no surprise” but warned: “As a society, we must not accept that this is normal or acceptable.”
Homeless Connect is an umbrella organisation representing over 40 groups working to address homelessness.
“Despite the incredible efforts being made by the sector, far too many people are finding themselves trapped in temporary accommodation for lengthy periods of time.
“The fact that over 4,700 children are living in temporary accommodation is shocking.
“There are real life consequences for children, 2,480 of whom are under 9, in terms of health, wellbeing, education and life chances,” she said.
She added that it is “likely” homelessness figures will continue to rise “until we, the NI executive and delivery partners, find ways to increase housing supply for social and affordable homes”.
Ms McCrudden said only 1,000 new social housing starts are expected in 2025/26, falling short of the target of over 2,000 set in the Housing Supply Strategy and Programme for Government.
She added that this week’s spending review provided an opportunity for planned, long-term investment to increase housing supply.
Homeless Connect say the homelessness sector is “struggling financially” and “faces real terms cuts in 2025/26 if the initial budget allocation is confirmed”.
Supports frozen
Ms McCrudden said: “This arises from the fact that the Department for Communities proposes to freeze the Supporting People programme at the same level as 2024/5, despite the impact of inflation as well as the changes to Employers National Insurance Contributions.”
The organisation said a “strong and properly resourced” homelessness sector is essential to tackling the crisis, but warned the budget this year will worsen the position of an already struggling sector.
“The Department for Communities and the wider executive have put in place some solid foundations, but they now have to deliver in terms of resources.
“If they fail to do so, more families will find themselves in temporary accommodation with all that means for them.”
“The fact that over 4,700 children are living in temporary accommodation is shocking. There are real life consequences for children, 2,480 of whom are under 9, in terms of health, wellbeing, education and life chances
Hilary Benn says it's over to Stormont and GAA on Casement Park - Cheaper stadium an option
By David Thompson, Belfast News Letter, June 13th, 2025
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn says the government has done its bit on Casement Park - and the options are an affordable redesign, or raising more funds. Photo: Ben Whitley/PA Wire
The UK government has done its bit for the redevelopment of Casement Park by providing £50m towards the project – and it is now over to the Stormont Executive and the GAA to complete it, Hilary Benn has said.
The Secretary of State says there are now two options for the West Belfast stadium project – change the design to one that’s affordable under the money available, or raise more funds.
The GAA has declined to say how much more – if anything – it will contribute to its ground, with £90m still to be found if current plans are to proceed.
Communities minister Gordon Lyons – whose department is in charge of the redevelopment – has urged the GAA to find more money or “change their plans to fit the funding”.
Former UK sports minister Baroness Hoey said the government “should not have given in” on demands for more cash, because a stadium suitable for the GAA’s needs could have been built “for much less”.
The West Belfast stadium project has been beset by delays for many years – caused initially by planning issues and subsequently spiralling costs and more ambitious plans.
After the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the government would allocate £50m, there were fresh calls from the SDLP for the Executive to up its contribution. So far the GAA has £15m on the table, the Irish government has pledged £43m and Stormont’s offer is around £62.5m.
Hilary Benn says the government has done its bit for the development by making £50m available – and that he wants to see the stadium completed.
Over to GAA
Asked by BBC presenter Chris Buckler about the GAA’s refusal to answer questions on whether they would contribute more money to the project, Mr Benn said a choice had to be made.
“Well, they're simply two choices. Either the design is changed so that the stadium can be built with the amount of money that is now available, or other funds come forward.
“I think that's what are those who are committed to the project – it is an Executive project – will now want to sit around a table and talk about and find a way forward. Let’s get this done”.
Responding to concerns that football was not receiving any funding as a result of the extra money for the GAA, the Secretary of State said that the sport “has had quite a bit of money directly from the UK Government in the last five years”
The Labour politicians continued: “as has rugby, as has contributions to other leisure and sport facilities in Northern Ireland. That adds up to quite a considerable sum. So I think it's very important that people recognise the contribution that's been made to those two great supporting traditions directly by the UK Government.
“Secondly, the previous government made a lot of promises about Casement Park and did absolutely nothing about it. And the government, I, took the view that it was important that we should make a contribution to help get this project built, because it is a commitment, as you know of the executive which dates back to 2011.
“As I made clear in recent months, if we do make a contribution, it's not going to fill the whole of the remaining gap to build the stadium. And I would now expect everyone to sit around the table and see well, what further contributions can be found.
“What I think the vast majority of people want is to get the stadium built so that the three great sporting traditions in Northern Ireland have each got their stadiums completed. Windsor Park and Ravenhill have been done. Casement Park has not”.
He added: “I've done my bit by on behalf of the British government making the 50 million pound contribution… and I know that all of the partners who are committed to this project will now want to work really hard to make sure that we finally see spades in the ground and the stadium being constructed”.
