Prosecutors have dropped charges against two Romanian teenagers accused of raping a schoolgirl in Ballymena, an allegation that triggered race riots in Northern Ireland. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) cited “significant evidential developments” in its decision to end criminal proceedings against the boys, aged 14 and 15.
The teenagers had been charged with raping the teenage girl on 7 June in the County Antrim town. The allegation sparked a violent campaign against foreigners, especially ethnic Roma immigrants from eastern Europe, with dozens of families fleeing and copycat disturbances spreading to other towns. A third teenager suspected of involvement reportedly fled to Romania.
The PPS said in a statement: “We have recently been made aware of significant evidential developments in this case. In light of this new evidence, it has been determined that the test for prosecution is no longer met on evidential grounds, and therefore the case should not proceed.” Prosecutors and the police investigation team met the complainant and her family earlier on Friday to explain the decision.
Belfast youth court granted the request to withdraw charges, paving the way for the release of the boys from the juvenile detention centre where they have been held since June. Because of their age they have not been named. District Judge George Conner said: “This is a very sensitive case, but the matters are now marked withdrawn. The less I say about it the better.”
DCI Stephanie Finlay appealed to the public not to speculate about the case. “I would remind everyone to remain respectful in light of today’s decision, and refrain from speculation, particularly on social media,” she said. The collapse of the prosecution gave a fresh twist to a case that had become a focus for anti-immigrant protests.
Accounts of the alleged rape spread swiftly on social media, leading to hundreds of people targeting foreign-owned homes and businesses in a three-night spree of smashing, burning and missile-throwing. Mobs assaulted police, leaving dozens injured, and disturbances spread to Larne and Portadown. An informed source estimated that two-thirds of the approximate pre-riot Roma population of 1,200 had left Ballymena.
