PSNI confirm investigation opened into un-notified Ballymena procession

The PSNI have confirmed that they are looking into an “unnotified parade” in east Ballymena.
By Adam Kula
Published 6th Apr 2021, 11:55 BST
Updated 6th Apr 2021, 12:55 BST
A person holds their arms aloft in celebration as a petrol bomb explodes: From: twitter.com/UlsterTroubles/status/1379324505739431941A person holds their arms aloft in celebration as a petrol bomb explodes: From: twitter.com/UlsterTroubles/status/1379324505739431941
A person holds their arms aloft in celebration as a petrol bomb explodes: From: twitter.com/UlsterTroubles/status/1379324505739431941

It comes after footage emerged purporting to be from Ballykeel – a big loyalist estate in the town – showing police with riot shields coming under attack last night.

All this is against a backdrop of further disorder in Londonderry and Carrickfergus, which is being linked to the failure by the authorities to censure anyone in relation to the Bobby Storey funeral.

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The Twitter account Ulster Troubles Archive (@UlsterTroubles) posted a video clip online this morning of a crowd facing off against a line of police with shields.

The caption with the video says: “Riot police attack loyalist teenagers in Ballykeel, Northern Ireland - and are met with fierce resistance. This situation is growing more dangerous by the hour.”

From the video, it is not clear precisely where the riot is happening.

In the video clip, people can be heard calling the police “Provo-loving b*****ds”, and cheering when a molotov cocktail erupts into flame next to a police officer.

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Loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson wrote: “Have just seen a video from Ballykeel. It seems a wholly peaceful protest was baton charged by the PSNI.

“It is trite to point out that when 2,000 gathered for an IRA show of strength there was no such policing. Serious ‘style & tone’ issues for PSNI senior management team.”

The PSNI have responded: “Police were made aware of an un-notified procession in the Crebilly Road area of Ballymena last night (5th April). Evidence was gathered and enquires are ongoing.”

Click here for more from this reporter:

Click here: ‘Hurt, offended, disgusted’: DUP MLA bereaved during lockdown hits out over Storey funeral

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Click here: The full list: All the republican funerals in Northern Ireland since lockdown began

Click here: Things go from bad to worse for NI garden centre boss: ‘Stuck Suez ship has our goods on board!’

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