Three teenagers charged with riot and remanded following Ballymena unrest

Ballymena Magistrates’ Court

Three teenagers have been remanded in custody after being charged with riot in connection with ongoing disorder in Ballymena, County Antrim.

The charges follow three nights of escalating unrest in the town, which police have described as serious and potentially life-threatening.

Appearing before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court, 18-year-old Michael Elliott, from the Lanntara area of the town, as well as a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old who cannot be named due to legal protections, were all formally charged with riot relating to events on 10 June.

In addition to the riot charge, the 15-year-old faces a further count of criminal damage after allegedly setting fire to a wheelie bin.

A police detective told the court that officers were seeking to remand all three into custody, citing a pressing need to “send out a strong message to deter others” from taking part in further disorder.

He stressed the seriousness of the situation, noting that ongoing rioting could “lead to serious injury or death to people in the area, namely foreign nationals”.

The 17-year-old did not seek bail. However, Elliott and the 15-year-old applied for release under strict conditions, including being barred from entering Ballymena. District Judge Nigel Broderick rejected the applications and remanded all three into custody.

Judge Broderick issued a stark warning from the bench, stating that “where there is credible and reliable evidence” against individuals involved in the rioting, “there is a high likelihood they will be refused bail” and face “a lengthy sentence if convicted”.

Describing the violence as “despicable”, the judge added: “Anyone involving themselves in the ongoing rioting will be dealt with robustly.”

The court heard that the unrest in Ballymena has persisted for three nights, with police resources stretched in efforts to quell the disorder. The case has drawn heightened attention due to the alleged targeting of members of the town’s migrant community.

The 15-year-old and 17-year-old will appear again before the Youth Court on Tuesday, 18 June, while Michael Elliott is scheduled to reappear on Wednesday, 10 July.

Authorities continue to urge calm in the area, with police maintaining a visible presence in affected neighbourhoods.