Second man arrested in Ballymena slurry incident as hate crime investigation continues

A second man has been arrested by police investigating the spreading of slurry on several roads in Ballymena during the early hours of Saturday 28 June, an incident currently being treated as a hate crime.

The PSNI confirmed on Sunday morning that a 20-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the incident, which occurred ahead of the town’s first-ever Pride parade.

“Officers investigating an incident in which slurry was spread on a number of roads in Ballymena on Saturday 28th June, have arrested a 20 year old man.”

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, aiding and abetting criminal damage, and causing material to be deposited on a road. He remains in police custody as enquiries continue.

“The man was arrested on Sunday morning on suspicion of criminal damage, aiding and abetting criminal damage and causing material to be deposited on a road and he remains in custody at this time.”

The slurry was discovered in the Granville Drive area in the early hours of Saturday morning, just hours before the scheduled Pride parade — a landmark event for Ballymena’s LGBTQ+ community.

This is the second arrest linked to the incident.

A 19-year-old man was previously charged and is due to appear at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Monday 30 June. He faces charges including criminal damage, possession of a blade or point, and causing material to be deposited on a road.

“The matter is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing.”

The PSNI is continuing to appeal for information from the public and urges anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward.

Anyone with relevant details is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 191 of 28/06/25. Reports can also be made online via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport, or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.