Northern Ireland riots latest: Minister decries ‘three-day festival of hate and destruction’ after 41 injured – UK Times

We’re looking to speak to people whose lives have been affected by the unrest ongoing in Ballymena and across Northern Ireland.

If you’ve been impacted by what’s going on and want to share your story, email bryony.gooch.ind@independent.co.uk .

Nine officers were injured in Wednesday night’s unrest, with none reporting serious injuries as they came sustained attack with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry, bricks and fireworks thrown at them.

This comes as 17 officers were injured on Tuesday night and 15 were wounded on Monday night, with some receiving hospital treatment.

Three people have been charged to court following disorder in Ballymena on Tuesday, 10th June.

One man, aged 18, and two teenage boys, aged 15 and 17, have been charged with riot. The 15-year-old has also been charged with criminal damage.

They are expected to appear before Ballymena Magistrates Court today, Thursday 12th June.

Two other teenage boys who were arrested during the disorder have been released on bail to allow for further police enquiries.

Northern Ireland’s Communities Minister has insisted he will not resign following criticism of a social media post sent hours before an attack on Larne Leisure Centre.

Gordon 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.

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.”

Some politicians have said Mr Lyons should be considering his position and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said it was not helpful to publicise where people had been moved.

Houses, cars, and a leisure centre were also set alight by the protesters, who were eventually dispersed by officers firing plastic baton rounds and using water cannons.

The trouble in Ballymena, in County Antrim, broke out on Monday after an alleged sexual assault on a girl in the area.

Senior reporter Alex Ross explains what’s behind the riots in Northern Ireland here: