Analysis of census data shows that Ballymena has experienced rapid demographic change in recent years, while the Sky News data and forensics team also found evidence of rising tensions on social media in the weeks preceding the incident.

Northern Ireland police say violence in the town of Ballymena, reportedly fueled by racial tension, have left 32 officers injured.

On June 11, 2025, in Ballymena, Antrim, Ireland, @jaitimperley shared a video showing a man throwing large stones amid a riot. In the video, police officers are seen gathered near a protest scene when a man holding two heavy stones suddenly hurls them toward the police line.

Disorder has broken out in Northern Ireland for the third successive night, after police said people are "waking up with genuine fear for their lives" following two nights of violence in Ballymena and other areas.

Rioters livestreamed themselves burning down a house on TikTok during a second night of racially motivated disorder in Northern Ireland.

Some 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a “ week of shame ” in Northern Ireland. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.

A Romanian in Ballymena has claimed he has “lost everything” after he was wrongly arrested for the attempted rape of a schoolgirl. He spoke after riots broke out in the Northern Ireland town following the appearance in court of two 14-year-old boys charged with attempted rape and who required a Romanian interpreter.

Some 63 police officers have been injured in what has been called a “ week of shame ” in Northern Ireland. Disorder started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the Co Antrim town at the weekend, and continued throughout the week.