Riot police deployed in Northern Ireland as violence continues | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentIndependent Bulletin homepageSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJabed AhmedThursday 12 June 2025 06:53 BSTLeisure centre 'used to temporarily house migrants' set on fire in Northern IrelandRiot police were deployed in Ballymena in Northern Ireland for a third night following public disorder that erupted after an alleged sexual assault on a girl in the area.Masked individuals set fire to Larne Leisure Centre in County Antrim, which had been designated as an emergency rest centre, prompting the relocation of families.Police in Ballymena faced attacks from masked protesters throwing fireworks, glass bottles, and metal, leading to the use of riot police, dog units, water cannon, and plastic baton rounds.Six individuals have been arrested for public order offences, and one person has been charged.Political leaders, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Stormont ministers, have condemned the violence and appealed for calm, emphasising the need to allow the justice process to proceed.In full‘Masked thugs’ start fire at leisure centre on third night of violence in Northern IrelandThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in