A number of houses have been torched during an anti-immigration protest in Ballymena after two teenagers of Romanian descent appeared in court accused of attempting to rape a local girl.
Social media footage showed homes in Co Antrim on fire after a masked mob lit curtains after windows and doors of terraced properties in the town were caved in.
Four houses were destroyed after 2,500 people gathered in the Harryville area of Ballymena yesterday evening. Two more properties were also damaged and 15 police officers hospitalised in the Ballymena riots.
Locals had marched through the area claiming they were there in a show of support to the family of the local girl who was allegedly sexually abused by two teenagers who needed a Romanian interpreter in court yesterday.
Some peaceful protesters carried placards saying they were there to 'protect' their own children.
