Fifth night of disorder in Northern Ireland: PSNI appeals for calm as over 60 officers injured

A police landrover earlier this week in Ballymena.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has condemned a fifth consecutive night of public disorder across multiple areas, including Portadown, Derry/Londonderry, Newry, Newtownabbey, and Belfast, with over 60 officers now injured while protecting communities.

The unrest, described as “hate-motivated criminality,” has led to arrests, property damage, and a renewed appeal for public assistance to identify those responsible.

After violent scenes which occurred in Ballymena on Monday night, 9 June, and continued on Tuesday and Wednesday as darkness fell, the town remained peaceful on Thursday and Friday, much to the relief of residents and local community leaders.

However the latest wave of violence erupted in other parts of Northern Ireland on Friday night, 13 June, and continued into the early hours of Saturday, 14 June.

In Portadown, officers faced sustained attacks with heavy masonry and fireworks. The PSNI deployed water cannons and other public order tactics to ensure public safety, with no reported injuries to civilians or damage to property.

Two males, aged 14 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remain in custody.

In Derry/Londonderry, disorder in the Tullyally area persisted for several hours, resulting in a police vehicle’s front window being smashed.

A male was arrested at approximately 2:20 a.m. and is currently detained. In Newry, a large group caused significant damage by setting fire to a playing field and bins in the Killeavey Road area, leading to the arrest of a 14-year-old male on suspicion of riot.

Further incidents included stones thrown at a hotel in Newtownabbey and a car set alight in Belfast’s Hesketh Gardens, which the PSNI is treating as a racially motivated hate crime.

Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones expressed deep concern over the involvement of young individuals in the disorder, stating:

“It’s deeply disturbing to see such young members of our communities involved in and in some areas driving criminal activity like this.”

She urged parents and guardians to discuss the consequences of such actions with their children, warning, “Do you want your child, family member or friend directly associated with this disorder in this way? These actions are not without serious consequence.”

The PSNI has intensified its presence across Northern Ireland, with support from Mutual Aid resources from Scotland, to reassure communities and prevent further violence.

“It is important to know over the remainder of this weekend the public will continue to see a large policing presence across Northern Ireland to reassure our communities and protect our streets,” Jones added.

The force is actively investigating both physical and online activities related to the disorder, including social media posts inciting violence.

“To those posting hate on social media, inciting disorder or being seen to commit disorder we are actively investigating what you have said and what you have been captured doing,” Jones said.

The PSNI has released images of four individuals they wish to identify and interview, calling on the public to provide information via the Major Incident Public Portal or by contacting 101.

Jones praised the bravery of frontline officers, stating, “I am so grateful to our frontline officers who continue to put themselves at risk in protecting everyone from this hate motivated criminality.”

She reiterated the PSNI’s appeal for calm, saying, “We repeat, once more, our appeal for calm across Northern Ireland in the coming days.”

The public is encouraged to submit photos, CCTV, mobile phone, or dash-cam footage through the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U11-PO1.

Reports can also be made online via the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

The PSNI’s appeal follows disorder earlier this week in Ballymena’s Clonavon Terrace area, where similar violence resulted in injuries to officers and damage to properties. The force continues to investigate these incidents as racially motivated hate crimes, urging anyone with information to come forward to support the pursuit of justice.

As Northern Ireland grapples with this wave of unrest, community leaders and the PSNI are calling for unity and calm to prevent further escalation. The public’s cooperation is seen as vital to restoring peace and holding those responsible accountable.