Concerns raised over policing and justice disparities between Ballymena and Londonderry disturbances

The Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Tyler Hoey (DUP)

The Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Tyler Hoey (DUP), has formally expressed concerns to the Chief Constable regarding what he described as a “differential approach” taken by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the judiciary in their handling of recent public disorder incidents in Ballymena and Londonderry.

Cllr Hoey emphasised that violence should be unequivocally condemned in all circumstances, saying:

“Violence is wrong and cannot be excused. That is the case for what happened in both Ballymena and Londonderry.”

However, he noted growing frustration among constituents over how each incident has been managed, particularly with respect to arrests and subsequent judicial decisions.

“A number of constituents have raised concerns with me about the approach taken by police to these. There are also further concerns in relation to the judiciary. I have raised concerns with the Chief Constable about how police acted in both situations,” he explained.

The Deputy Mayor’s remarks follow community outcry after disturbances in Ballymena resulted in several individuals being remanded in custody, while those involved in similar unrest in Londonderry were more frequently granted bail.

Cllr Hoey continued:

“There are equal concerns however about the wider justice system where those involved in disturbances in Londonderry were regularly granted bail but virtually all those who were arrested following disorder in Ballymena were refused bail and remanded in custody.”

As Deputy Mayor, Cllr Hoey has been active in engaging with the public and gathering feedback on the matter. He reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing dialogue, stating:

“I have been on the ground alongside DUP colleagues over recent weeks talking to people and we will continue to follow up on the concerns that are raised with us.”

He concluded by calling for greater responsiveness from all statutory bodies involved in the justice process:

“It is important that all of the statutory agencies, including within the justice system, also listen to the concerns that are being raised and act on these.”

The PSNI and judiciary have not yet issued public responses to these specific concerns. However, the issue is expected to remain a topic of scrutiny as public and political pressures mount over the perceived inconsistency in the application of justice in Northern Ireland.