Ballymena in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland, saw a second night of violence and disorder on Tuesday, June 10.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said on Tuesday evening that they were dealing with "serious disorder" in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena, and advised members of the public to avoid the area.
In an update in the early hours of Wednesday, the PSNI confirmed that calm had been restored in Ballymena following serious disorder in the Clonavon Terrace, North Road, and Bridge Street areas.
"Disorder broke out shortly before 8 pm and continued for several hours with masonry and petrol bombs thrown at police officers and police vehicles," the PSNI said early on Wednesday.
"A number of homes and businesses were also attacked.
"During the disorder, authorised officers discharged a number of Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs), and the water cannon was also deployed in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
"Calm was restored to the area at around 1 am."
The PSNI said police also dealt with "sporadic disorder in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus, with some incidents in north Belfast."
Tuesday was the second night of disorder in Ballymena after unrest erupted on Monday evening following what had begun as a peaceful vigil.
Monday's vigil is understood to have been organized in response to the alleged rape of a teenage girl in Clonavon Terrace, in Ballymena, on Saturday.
According to the BBC, two teenage boys appeared in Coleraine Magistrates' Court via videolink from Woodlands Juvenile Centre on Monday morning, charged with attempted oral rape. They both deny the charges.
There was no application for bail, and they were both remanded in custody until July 2, when they are due to appear by videolink at the youth court at Ballymena Magistrates' Court.
On Tuesday, the PSNI outlined the unrest - which saw 15 officers injured and a number of homes and businesses damaged - that had unfolded in Ballymena the night before.
"Four houses were damaged by fire, with three people evacuated," the PSNI said on Tuesday. "The attacks on these properties are being investigated as racially-motivated hate attacks."
A 29-year-old man was arrested during Monday night's disorder, with the PSNI confirming on Tuesday that he had been charged with riotous behaviour, disorderly behaviour, attempted criminal damage, and resisting police. He is due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 3, PSNI said.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, the PSNI confirmed they had arrested a third person on Monday evening in relation to Saturday night's alleged serious sexual assault in Ballymena. The man was unconditionally released from police custody following questioning.
The PSNI continued its appeal for information, and asked if anyone in the Clonavon Terrace or Waveney Road area on Saturday evening who may have witnessed what happened or noticed anything suspicious, to make contact with police on 101, quoting reference number 1522 07/06/25.
Reports can also made online at PSNI.Police.uk/Report or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-UK.org/.
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