Rape charges that triggered Ballymena race riots dropped | Northern Ireland
Prosecutors have dropped charges against two Romanian teenagers accused of raping a schoolgirl in Ballymena, an allegation that triggered race riots in Northern Ireland.
On Friday, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) cited “significant evidentiary developments” in its decision to end the criminal investigation into the boys, aged 14 and 15.
They were accused of raping the teenage girl in the County Antrim town on June 7; this claim sparked a violent campaign against foreigners, particularly ethnic Roma immigrants from eastern Europe. Dozens of families fled and mock unrest spread to other towns. A third young man suspected of being involved in the alleged attack reportedly fled to Romania.
In a statement, the PPS said it had a duty to consider any new information or evidence that became available. “We have recently been made aware of significant evidentiary developments in this case. In light of this new evidence, it has been determined that the prosecution test on the basis of evidence is no longer met and therefore the case should not proceed.”
The statement said prosecutors and the police investigation team met with the complainant and his family early Friday to explain the decision.
Belfast youth court accepted a request to withdraw the charges, paving the way for the children to be released from the children’s detention center where they have been held since June. Their names are not given due to their ages. District judge George Conner told the court: “This is a very sensitive case, but the matters have now been marked withdrawn. The less I say about it the better.”
DCI Stephanie Finlay said any reported sexual offenses were investigated and urged victims to come forward. “You will be treated sensitively and provided with appropriate additional support.”
Finlay appealed to the public not to speculate about the Ballymena case. “In light of today’s decision, I would like to remind everyone to behave respectfully and avoid speculation, especially on social media,” he said.
The collapse of the prosecution added a new dimension to the case, which became the focal point of anti-immigrant protests.
The majority-Protestant town of Ballymena, about 40km north of Belfast, is 95% white, according to the 2021 census. However, an influx of people from Eastern Europe, many of whom work in food processing plants, has led to complaints from some residents.
Last June, statements about the rape allegation spread rapidly on social media; The girl was allegedly dragged down an alley and attacked by three boys in a garage in the Clonavon Terrace area, the court heard.
Hundreds of people, many wearing masks or hoodies, targeted foreign-owned homes and businesses in a three-night smashing, burning and missile-firing spree that terrorized immigrants from the Philippines, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Romania and other countries. “Where are the strangers?” some shouted.
Some rioters tried to focus attacks on ethnic Roma and encouraged people to hang signs on their homes such as “Filipinos live here.” Others erected union flags and loyalist flags in the hope of fending off attacks. Gangs attacked police, dozens were injured and mayhem spread across Larne and Portadown.
There are no official figures, but an informed source with ties to the Roma community in Ballymena estimates that two-thirds of the pre-riot population of around 1,200 people have left.
