A Raging Inferno: Decoding the Tensions in Northern Ireland
Unrest in Ballymena Extends Beyond Simple Racial Tensions
Photo credits: Getty
Author: Ella Whelan
18th June 2025 NO SUGARCOATING
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A wave of violence and unrest has swept over Northern Ireland, especially in Ballymena, North Antrim, with its fires still smoldering.
The past week has been grim for the people of Northern Ireland. A horrific assault on a teenager girl in Ballymena was followed by public demonstrations that took a dangerous turn. Around 2,500 people gathered in the Harryville area of Ballymena for what started as a peaceful protest. However, the atmosphere soon turned sour and volatile.
Over several days and nights, Ballymena was engulfed by chaotic rioting and a wave of hate-fueled attacks against migrant communities. A Filipino man was among the victims when his house was targeted, leading other migrants to mark their homes with Union flags and signs warning against Roma residency - hoping to ward off the vicious petrol bomb assaults1.
Political leaders, officials, and many in the media took to labelling the events as 'pure racism,' with Northern Ireland's first minister, Michelle O'Neill, leading the charge1. Sarah Creighton, writing in the Guardian, echoed her sentiment: 'The riots in Ballymena are about racism and nothing more.'
While it is crucial to condemn the racist violence and hold those responsible accountable, labeling the disturbances in Ballymena exclusively as racist doesn't help unravel the complicated reasons behind these events. It fails to answer why many individuals, who are neither racist nor violent, are experiencing unease and concern. And it fails to address the deeply rooted social, economic, and cultural issues that have stoked the flames of discontent1.
#### A Varied Perspective
The right wing argues that immigration is to blame for the violent unrest. Jim Allister, North Antrim's Unionist MP, has suggested that there is an excessive influx of migrants in the area1. According to Allister, during his last canvassing visit in Ballymena, out of 50 houses he visited, he only encountered five "local residents of Ballymena."
On the other hand, the left points to resource shortages as the root cause of the turmoil - from ever-lengthening queues for the GP to chronic housing shortages. In acknowledging the impact of migration, some progressive voices concede that higher numbers have put stress on the system. But instead of delving deeper into the immigration debate, they often choose silence1.
Historical Roots
The history of violence in Ballymena runs deep, with its legacy stretching back to the Troubles. Sean McCrystal, a Catholic man, was beaten and set on fire in 1976 by supporters of the Ulster Volunteer Force2. Even during the recent riots, neighbors reported enthusiastic support for "wee bonfires," reminiscent of the violent past.
Unsurprisingly, working-class Protestants in places like Ballymena are feeling under siege. They perceive Sinn Feín's rise and their culture-war politics as threats. At the same time, they are being shunned by a Westminster elite that views them as outdated Union Jack flag-wavers2. This sense of isolation and withdrawal fuels the siege mentality within the community, with young men teetering on the brink of conflict with police officers from the "mainland" while hurling bricks in the name of the Union2.
The recent unrest in Ballymena is closely linked to other instances of violence and tension in Dublin, Southport, Knowsley, and elsewhere in the UK. It highlights the need to address the chronic social issues that have perpetuated division and violence2.
Ella Whelan is the author of The Case For Women's Freedom, the latest in the Academy of Ideas' groundbreaking pamphlet series, Letters on Liberty.
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The complex issues in Northern Ireland extend beyond racism, as culture wars and political tensions play a significant role in fueling public unrest, such as in Ballymena. Meanwhile, the escalating cancel culture in general-news media may hinder a nuanced understanding of these deep-rooted social and cultural problems.
