Ulster Unionist MLA for North Antrim, Colin Crawford, has condemned the violence in Ballymena, warning that it has distracted from the serious issues that led people to protest in the first place. 

Mr Crawford said, “I attended the peaceful protest in Harryville on Monday evening, along with many others, to show support for the young girl who was recently assaulted. My thoughts are with her and her family. No one should ever have to endure such trauma, and no family should have to carry that pain.

“What has followed is completely unacceptable. Peaceful protest is a right, but violence, disorder and racism are not, it drowns out genuine concerns and brings misery to the very communities people claim to stand up for. I’ve been on the ground and will continue to work to bring the violence to an end. We cannot, and must not, allow this to continue. Northern Ireland has already seen where this kind of behaviour leads, and we cannot go back.

“Many people come to Northern Ireland, make it their home, and contribute positively to our economy. Turning against them is not who we are, and it must never become who we are.

“The PSNI must be backed to do their job, to investigate these crimes and bring those responsible before the courts, who in turn must pass down sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crimes. 

“That’s how we stand with victims. Violence and criminality cause more harm, destroy lives, damage the reputation of entire communities, and place even greater strain on an already overstretched police force.”