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The Lead Untangles: Peaceful protest into riots in Ballymena

We look at how violence has flared in Northern Ireland over the past week and hear from Ballymena-based journalist Kathryn Johnston as she looks at what can be done

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The Lead and Kathryn Johnston
Jun 13, 2025
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Behind police lines in Ballymena on Wednesday night - John Breslin/Irish News

What is happening in Ballymena? Allegations of a sex assault against a 13-year-old girl. A peaceful protest morphs into riots focussing on members of Ballymena’s migrant community. Attacks on police with fireworks, petrol bombs, and boulders. Cars burned out, houses attacked. P…

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A guest post by
Kathryn Johnston
Journalist/writer/NUJ member. Co author unauthorised biography Martin McGuinness https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005WZZN5U/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&bt
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