Racist riots in Northern Ireland: Flags for protection

It feels like a return to the bloody days of religious strife. Northern Ireland is facing turbulent times marked by racist riots. People are barricading themselves inside their homes out of fear. The spark was an attempted assault.

Everything began in Ballymena on Monday, 9 June 2025. A young girl was assaulted by two 14-year-old teenagers of Romanian origin. They didn't succeed in their attempt. But the incident provided a perfect excuse for xenophobes. Since then, people of foreign origin have been too afraid to leave their homes, fearing reprisals or being targeted by racist groups using this attack to fuel their hatred. Furthermore, riots have broken out in Ballymena and elsewhere in Northern Ireland. The unrest is clearly targeting “immigrants,” some of whom have lived in the country for decades. Yet, only 3.4% of Northern Ireland’s population is of foreign origin, often from the European Union.

Locals live here

On social media, calls have been posted to protest against foreigners, whether European or not, even inciting attacks on people of foreign origin and demanding the expulsion of so-called migrant gangs. As a result, homes have been graffitied, attacked, and even set on fire. Cars belonging to foreigners are also being targeted. Some districts with large foreign populations have been singled out by agitators keen to emphasise their local pedigree. Things have reached the point where some Irish residents plaster signs reading "locals live here," denouncing both the rioters and “illegals.” Others, sometimes of foreign origin themselves, display the British flag, the Union Jack, or photos of the royal family to show their integration and loyalty to the United Kingdom.

Fear of the rain

Evenings have been particularly violent in Ballymena throughout the week. However, Thursday, 12 June 2025 was quieter in this working-class town. It was raining, so most of the rioters ended up staying home. On the other hand, clashes broke out in the town of Portadown, southwest of Belfast. The police are doing their best to protect the targeted communities. Authorities have in fact described the various attacks as "racist." Law enforcement even had to evacuate terrified people hiding in their attics or wardrobes. In addition, 17 "protesters" have already been arrested. During the riots, several people were injured—including 22 during a single night from Thursday to Friday.

Echoes of dark times 

These events recall the terrible Troubles that gripped the country between the 1960s and 1990. This was a real civil war between Catholics seeking reunification of the island and “loyalist” Protestants loyal to the English crown. The Northern Ireland conflict claimed around 3,500 lives, nearly 2,000 of them civilians. One of the most dramatic episodes was “Bloody Sunday” on 30 January 1972—famously referenced by U2—when 14 protesters were killed by the army during a peaceful march.

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Sources: Le Soir & FranceInfo – Picture: © picture alliance / Anadolu | Conor McCaughley)