Local leaders within the Church of Ireland have condemned “racism” and “violence” in the continued unrest within the town of Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
Last night a close-by leisure centre in County Antrim was set on fire by hooded and masked youths. The centre was getting used as a brief shelter for families who were taking refuge from violence in Ballymena.
The spark for the unrest was an alleged sexual assault on a woman within the town on Monday. The suspects are a pair of teenage boys, who’ve been charged with attempted oral rape. The boys deny the costs, which were read to them through a Romanian interpreter.
A peaceful vigil after the alleged assault turned violent when young men in hoods began attacking police and targeting shops.
The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison and the Rector of Ballymena, the Rev Canon Mark McConnell issued an announcement wherein they acknowledged that the anger over the alleged sexual assault was “legitimate and righteous”.
However, they went on to say that such righteous anger can’t be used as an excuse for racism or violence.
“Violence against women knows no racial boundaries. The majority of such crimes in Northern Ireland are committed by individuals who should not from ethnic minorities. The racism and violence that we’ve got witnessed on our streets can’t be excused or explained this fashion,” they said.
Their statement continued, “We call for calm at the moment and ask all people of goodwill to not take part in any activity which might result in further violence and fear on our streets.”
The disorder is being compared by some to the unrest in parts of England after the murder of three young girls in Southport last 12 months.
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