Prosecutors in Northern Ireland have taken the dramatic step of dropping all charges against two Romanian teenagers accused of raping a schoolgirl, an allegation that ignited a series of violent race riots in the town of Ballymena earlier this year.
Case Collapses After Evidential Developments
The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced its decision on Friday, citing significant evidential developments that emerged in the case. The boys, aged 14 and 15, had been charged with raping a teenage girl on 7 June in the County Antrim town.
In an official statement, the PPS explained its duty to consider new information, stating: 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.
Violent Aftermath and Community Exodus
The initial allegation sparked a violent campaign against foreigners, particularly targeting ethnic Roma immigrants from eastern Europe. The unrest spanned three nights and saw hundreds of masked individuals targeting foreign-owned homes and businesses.
The violence was not confined to Ballymena, with copycat disturbances spreading to other towns including Larne and Portadown. Dozens of police officers were injured during the clashes with mobs.
One source with connections to the local Roma community provided a stark assessment of the human cost, estimating that from a pre-riot population of approximately 1,200 Roma residents, around two-thirds had subsequently left the area.
Legal Proceedings and Community Response
Belfast youth court granted the prosecution's request to withdraw the charges, paving the way for the boys' release from the juvenile detention centre where they had been held since June. Due to their age, the teenagers have not been publicly named.
District Judge George Conner addressed the sensitivity of the case in court, remarking: This is a very sensitive case, but the matters are now marked withdrawn. The less I say about it the better.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephanie Finlay made a public appeal following the decision, urging people to refrain from speculation, particularly on social media. She also reaffirmed the police commitment to investigating all reported sexual crimes and encouraged victims to come forward.
The case had become a focal point for anti-immigrant sentiment in Ballymena, a largely Protestant town where the 2021 census recorded the population as 95% white. Recent years had seen an influx of eastern European workers, many employed at local food processing plants, which had prompted complaints from some established residents.
