Masked Rioter Engulfed in Flames: Chaos in Ballymena

Riot in Ballymena

A masked rioter in Ballymena experienced swift retribution when his attempt to hurl a petrol bomb at police spectacularly misfired during the continued disorder on Tuesday night. The Co Antrim town was swamped by thousands yesterday (June 9) following the arrest of two 14-year-old boys over the weekend, linked to an alleged sexual assault near Clonavon Terrace. On Monday, both teenagers pleaded not guilty to attempted oral rape at a magistrates court. As night fell on Monday, rioters were observed vandalising homes on the street close to the alleged incident, setting them ablaze and leaving them charred.

Flames Engulf Rioter

By 2 am, several fires had been ignited, resulting in injuries to about 15 police officers during the prolonged confrontations. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson condemned the violence as 'racist thuggery', heightening anxiety among ethnic minority communities. In the aftermath, with Ballymena's streets littered with broken glass and scorched bins, residents displayed their national flags above their doors, fearing attacks from the marauding masked mobs. During the second evening of unrest, one such individual botched the throwing of a Molotov cocktail at the riot squad, reports the Express. Cloaked in a light grey tracksuit with the hood raised, footage sweeping across social platforms captured a rioter's failed attempt to hurl a flaming bottle which resulted in them being engulfed in fire. In a state of panic, the individual frantically turns to the onlookers and tentatively sprints towards them as the flames seemingly intensify and latch onto their backside. Then, bystanders swiftly converged to assist in extinguishing the burning demonstrator. As of 11 pm on Tuesday, the chaos in Ballymena had escalated once again, with authorities resorting to multiple water cannons and canine teams in efforts to control the roaming crowds. Tension swelled in the vicinity of Clonavon Terrace throughout Tuesday night, with large crowds.

Escalation of Chaos

PSNI riot contingents barricaded the road with vans, and officers wielded shields and batons. Despite this, the town saw numerous fires erupt, with law enforcement targeted by an onslaught of stones, paint, and assorted projectiles. As twilight approached, several vehicles were torched outside the town hall. UUP Councillor for Ards & North Down Pete Wray has slammed the motives behind the ongoing unrest in Ballymena as 'the height of idiocy'. In a statement, Cllr Pete Wray said: 'The rioting in Ballymena is disgusting. There is no excuse. To attack police officers, destroy property, and put residents in danger is abhorrent. 'To say 'I'm concerned about criminal activity, so I'm going to take part in criminal activity to protest', is the height of idiocy.'