Ballymena Violence Racism | Introduction: The Ugly Truth Behind Ballymena’s Violence
The recent Ballymena violence and racism have been falsely framed as a defense of women. But history and facts tell a different story.
In 1972, loyalist paramilitaries stormed the home of Sarah McClenaghan, a Catholic woman. They forced her disabled son, David, to fetch her rosary beads—proof of their faith—before raping Sarah and torturing David. Both were shot; David died from his wounds.
As I watched the riots unfold, I thought of them. The Ballymena violence and racism aren’t about protection. It’s about hate, pure and simple.
The Myth of ‘Protecting Women’ in Ballymena
Loyalist Paramilitaries and Hypocrisy
Rioters claim they’re expelling “dangerous foreigners,” yet South East Antrim Ulster Defence Association (UDA) members—linked to shielding sex offenders—are among them. Journalist Allison Morris reports:
“This group has been repeatedly accused of protecting predators.” Now they pretend to care about women?”
The Ballymena violence and racism is a smokescreen.
Roma Families Under Attack
Far-right Facebook groups circulate addresses of Roma families, urging violence. Flyers demand action to defend “our women” and “Christian values.” But where was this outrage when 25 local women were killed in five years, mostly by Northern Irish men?
How a Family’s Trauma Was Exploited
The Alleged Attack That Sparked Riots
The unrest began after two 14-year-old boys were arrested for an attempted rape. The victim’s family begged for unity, but far-right agitators twisted their pain into xenophobic rage.
PSNI Chief Constable confirmed:
“The victim has been re-traumatized by these riots.”
The Racist Playbook: Blame the Outsider
The Ballymena violence racism follows a familiar script:
- Isolate a crime committed by minorities.
- Ignore identical crimes by locals.
- Mobilize mobs under pretenses.
In 2023, 4,090 sexual offenses were reported in Northern Ireland—overwhelmingly by local men.
Northern Ireland’s History of Violence Against Women
The Troubles and ‘Armed Patriarchy’
During the peace talks, the Women’s Coalition called the conflict an “armed patriarchy.” Generations of women raised children alone while men waged war. Hundreds were murdered.
Today’s Crisis: A System That Fails Women
- 25 women killed in 5 years (most by partners/family).
- Natalie McNally, 15 weeks pregnant, was murdered in her home (2022).
- PSNI data: 1 in 3 women experiences abuse.
Yet the Ballymena violence racism focuses on migrants?
The Real Causes of Northern Ireland’s Problems
Public Services Were Broken Before Migration Rose
- NHS collapse: 12-hour ER waits, crumbling mental health care.
- Housing crisis: Rents have increased by 40% since 2019.
- Homelessness: Record numbers sleeping rough.
Politicians underfunded these systems for decades. Now, they blame migrants.
Immigration Myths vs. Reality
- Northern Ireland is 96.6% white—the least diverse UK region.
- Net migration (2024): Still lower than England’s.
Migrants didn’t break the NHS. Decades of bad policy did.
Conclusion: Racism Solves Nothing
The Ballymena violence racism must be called out:
- Not about women’s safety (local men are the real threat).
- Not about resources (politicians caused the crises).
- Only about hate against Roma, Muslims, and outsiders.
If women rioted every time we were attacked, this country would burn.
Sarah Creighton is a solicitor and commentator from Northern Ireland.
The Global Pattern of Far-Right Exploitation
The Ballymena violence and racism are not an isolated incident. Across Europe, far-right groups use identical tactics:
- Germany (2019): Anti-migrant protests after a Syrian man was accused of assault (later proven false).
- UK (2020): “Protect Our Women” rallies by extremist groups, while ignoring domestic violence rates.
These movements weaponize gender concerns to mask racism. In Northern Ireland, where ethnic minorities make up just 3.4% of the population, the disproportionate backlash reveals the lie.
A Call for Accountability
Political Leaders Must Act
The Stormont Assembly has been silent on the riots. Meanwhile:
- PSNI reports: Racist hate crimes rose 40% in 2023.
- No prosecutions for organizers of the Ballymena attacks.
Media’s Role in Amplifying Lies
Outlets often frame riots as “community concerns” rather than organized racism. The Belfast Telegraph’s Morris notes:
“Violence is planned in closed Telegram groups—yet media portrays it as spontaneous anger.”
Solidarity Beyond Borders
Migrant women in Northern Ireland face double vulnerability:
- Language barriers when reporting abuse.
- Fear of deportation if they seek help.
Local activists like Migrant Centre NI now escort Roma children to school amid death threats. As one mother told me:
“They say they’re protecting women—but who protects us from them?”
Final Word: The Fire Next Time
If Northern Ireland doesn’t confront its racist underbelly, the Ballymena violence racism will repeat. The solution isn’t fewer migrants—it’s more accountability:
- Prosecute riot leaders under hate crime laws.
- Fund anti-racist education in schools.
- Amplify minority voices in policymaking.
The alternative? More ashes, more ghosts.
