In Northern Ireland, another arson attack, insecurity, migrants warn

In Northern Ireland, another arson attack, insecurity, migrants remain concerned.. Northern Ireland Police seek community help to end violence. 

Ballymena has been rocked by two nights of violent clashes following a protest march by a mob in Northern Ireland over the weekend over the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl.

Two 14-year-old boys have been charged with attempted rape, and a third man, aged 28, has been arrested in connection with the investigation, a PSNI spokesman confirmed on Tuesday. These are individuals from the Roma community whose homes in Ballymena were set on fire by a mob. 

Anti-social elements set fire to the Larne Leisure Centre today, which was housing migrants who had to leave Ballymena. Tensions are escalating as the violence continues into its third night.

On Wednesday, social media footage showed masked men smashing windows and setting fires outside a recreation center in Antrim, Northern Ireland.

It comes after two nights of violence and public disorder in the town of Ballymena, 30 minutes from Larne.

It was reported earlier on Wednesday that the recreation center was being used to house migrants who had to leave Ballymena.

Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said in a social media post: “Larne leisure centre attacked by masked robbers. “Windows smashed, fire set nearby. Larne doesn’t need this.” East Antrim MLA Gordon Lyons said it would only serve to harm the town’s residents.

"The violence and disorder seen on our streets in recent nights has no purpose. Planned acts of vandalism, such as the attack on the Larne Leisure Centre, are an attack on all residents who use that facility." "There is no excuse for what happened in Larne and it must be condemned."

The latest developments come as police maintain a high presence in Ballymena after a large crowd gathered in the Clonavon Terrace area.

Many immigrant families, fearing attacks, began displaying the names of their countries outside their homes.

Businesses employing immigrants have been advised to be vigilant with their employees, and protests have not stopped in places such as Belfast , Ballymana, Antrim, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, Lancashire, Lisbon and Portadown. Foreigners  have also been advised to avoid going out in the evenings.