Families in emergency accommodation following days of Ballymena unrest

13 June 2025, 14:04

A burnt-out and boarded up property that was damaged on Monday evening in violence in Ballymena, during a protest. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers.
A burnt-out and boarded up property that was damaged on Monday evening in violence in Ballymena, during a protest. Multiple cars and properties were set on fire in Ballymena while rioters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry at police officers. Picture: Alamy

By Alice Brooker

About 50 households in Northern Ireland have received housing assistance since disorder broke out in Ballymena this week, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) has said.

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Around 14 families have secured emergency accommodation following unrest in Ballymena, which continued into its fourth consecutive night on Thursday.

The evening saw police came under attack once again in Northern Ireland while disorder spread through multiple towns.

The disorder started on Monday after a peaceful protest over an alleged sexual assault in the County Antrim town.

Since then, missiles have been thrown at police after a protest in the town of Portadown and in Ballymena, while Northern Ireland’s police chief warned “bigots and racists” behind unrest in the region that his officers will be coming after them.

Read more: Police come under attack for fourth night in Northern Ireland as force say 'bigots and racists' behind unrest

Read more: Masked thugs set fire to leisure centre housing migrant families as Ballymena violence erupts for third night

Youths in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena on Thursday.
Youths in Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena on Thursday. Picture: Alamy

Police said 63 of their officers have been injured over four nights of violence after coming under "sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks".

A family with children were moved from a house in Coleraine after they were targeted in a racially motivated arson attack, according to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

The PSNI said they received a report at approximately 3am on Friday of a fire at the rear of a property in the Mount Street area of the town.

They said an oil tank had been set alight, causing damage to the outside of the property and filling the property with smoke.

"A man and woman and their four young children who were inside the house at the time were thankfully able to escape uninjured," a spokesperson said.

A resident clearing debris Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim.
A resident clearing debris Portadown in Co Armagh, following three nights of disorder in Ballymena, Co Antrim. Picture: Alamy

The demand for emergency and temporary accommodation is "extremely high", according to NIHE chief executive Grainia Long, and this is expected to increase.

Ms Long described the last week as "extraordinary", saying there is an "unprecedented number of families locally who feel it is unsafe to stay in their home".

"Demand is extremely high, and it has been one of those weeks where everyone has had to move very quickly to respond," she said.

"We do expect the numbers to increase as households make decisions about what is safe for them."

Properties in Ballymena with signs saying, locals live here. Picture date: Thursday June 12, 2025.
Properties in Ballymena with signs saying, locals live here. Picture date: Thursday June 12, 2025. Picture: Alamy

While demand for temporary housing is on the rise, Ms Long said the availability of appropriate housing is an issue.

"We don't have any contingency or additional accommodation," she said. "We are working to make sure we have the right numbers of temporary accommodation."

She added that NIHE staff "have been out on the ground, supporting communities, working within them and ensuring their safety", as well as "working with older people who are scared and asking questions about their safety".

Ms Long told BBC News NI that she is "worried about households that we may lose contact with, those who may be vulnerable to exploitation, particularly those with children".