19-year-old charged over Ballymena slurry incident ahead of Pride parade

The clean-up operation on Saturday morning on Greenvale Street in Ballymena town centre

A 19-year-old man has been formally charged following a slurry-spreading incident on several streets in Ballymena in the early hours of Saturday morning (28 June), just hours before the town’s first-ever Pride parade.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed that the individual, who was arrested in the Granville Drive area, now faces three charges in connection with the incident.

“A 19 year old man, arrested in the Granville Road area of Ballymena, after slurry was spread on a number of roads in the area on Saturday morning (28th June), has been charged with criminal damage, possession of an article with a blade or point and causing material to be deposited on a road.”

The accused is set to appear at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 30th June.

As is standard legal procedure in Northern Ireland, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The slurry was discovered by officers at approximately 2.55am on Saturday, with police saying the incident is being treated as a hate crime.

It occurred just hours before Ballymena was due to host its inaugural Pride event — a landmark celebration for LGBTQ+ visibility in the traditionally conservative town.

The timing and nature of the incident have drawn widespread criticism, with many seeing it as an act of intimidation directed at the local LGBTQ+ community.

Police have encouraged members of the public to come forward with any further information related to the incident.

Reports can be made via 101, quoting reference number 191 of 28/06/25, or online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Anonymous information can also be provided to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.