Riots erupted in the town of Ballymena in Northern Ireland on Monday night after two 14-year-old boys appeared in court over an alleged attempted rape — a case that has inflamed local tensions, particularly after it was revealed the teens required a Romanian interpreter.

An estimated 2,500 people gathered for a protest march in the Harryville area in response to the alleged sexual assault, which took place Saturday evening in the Clonavon Terrace area. The peaceful protest quickly spiralled into unrest, with crowds clashing with police in scenes of public disorder that continued late into the night.

The unrest follows a protest in the area, about 45 km (30 miles) from the capital city of Belfast, earlier on Monday evening, the police statement said, adding damage was reported to a number of properties. “We are urging everyone to remain calm and to act responsibly,” said Chief Superintendent Sue Steen in a statement, as authorities confirmed missiles had been thrown at police and property damage was reported throughout the town centre.

Footage circulating on social media appeared to show flames rising near residential buildings, masked individuals confronting police, and objects being hurled at PSNI vehicles. While Reuters noted it could not independently verify the clips, local residents confirmed the scenes reflected the growing tension in the area.

UNREST AFTER COURT HEARING

The violence occured after the court appearance of the two teenage boys, who were charged with attempted rape and cannot be named due to their age. The case, heard at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court, has drawn significant media and public attention — not only due to the nature of the alleged assault but also due to the nationality of the accused.

Irish broadcaster RTE confirmed that both teenagers are Romanian nationals and required an interpreter for the court proceedings. The detail, though procedural, appeared to stoke outrage amongst some in the protest crowd.