Three arrested after armed street brawl in Ballymena as residents voice ongoing concerns

The scenes on Thursday when a fight broke out among a number of men in a Ballymena housing estate.

A street fight involving weapons in one of Ballymena’s newest housing developments has led to three arrests, after an incident that unfolded while children were playing nearby prompted renewed concern from local residents about ongoing antisocial behaviour in the area.

Witnesses described seeing a number of men involved in a violent confrontation in St Patrick’s Place at around 4pm on Thursday, July 16.

Photographs seen by Love Ballymena appear to show one individual carrying a knife, another holding what appears to be a sword, while a third was seen waving a shovel during the disorder.

The disturbance happened on a warm summer afternoon as children from nearby homes were playing outside, heightening concern among residents who say similar incidents have become an ongoing problem.

Three arrested following police response

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed a number of units attended the scene following reports of a fight in progress.

It is understood police armed response unit (ARU) was also dispatched to the scene.

Police units at the scene of the incident in St Patrick’s Place, Ballymena

Police said a man in his 50s and a teenage boy were arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. Both remain in police custody.

A second man, aged in his 40s, was arrested and has since been charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and disorderly behaviour. He is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 13.

As is standard procedure, the charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

Police enquiries remain ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police quoting reference 1201 of 16/07/26 via the PSNI online witness appeal form or by calling 101.

Residents say problems have persisted

Independent Ballymena councillor Rodney Quigley said he had been contacted by concerned residents following the latest incident.

He said:

“There have been issues with anti-social behaviour in this area for quite some time. Radius Housing needs to take these concerns seriously and take immediate action to ensure they are properly addressed.”

The incident occurred within the St Patrick’s Place development, part of the wider regeneration of the former St Patrick’s Barracks site.

The £29 million housing scheme, delivered by Radius Housing, provides 135 homes, including 125 social homes and 10 affordable homes for private purchase through Co-Ownership, alongside apartments, landscaped public spaces and a children’s play park.

The development was created under Northern Ireland’s Shared Housing Programme, bringing together social and affordable private housing within a single neighbourhood as part of the wider £160 million regeneration of the former military site.

Radius response

Following concerns raised by local residents, Love Ballymena asked Radius Housing for comment on both the latest incident and wider reports of ongoing antisocial behaviour within the development.

Radius Housing said it was unable to comment on the specific incident as it was currently a live legal matter with police.

The local housing association said they are aware of ongoing challenges in the development.

A spokesperson for Radius said:

“Radius are aware of the ongoing antisocial behaviour and we are supporting the work of the police.”

The police investigation remains ongoing, while residents are likely to be looking for reassurance that measures can be taken to prevent further serious disorder in what was intended to become a shared and family-focused new community.