Vigil for girl hijacked by ‘racist thugs’ in Ballymena

The ugly, violent side of this Northern Ireland town was on full display once again last night.

Angry mobs went on a rampage through the streets of Ballymena for a second evening as riot police from across this country were drafted in to push back against an escalating ambush.

Hours of blaring sirens were punctured by the relentless sound of bricks and petrol bombs landing on police vehicles.

The main roads became a war zone with fires in the middle of the carriageway, cars ablaze and the crunch of broken glass at our feet as we walked the streets.

Masked and hooded young men were blasted with the water cannon as tensions boiled over in a strained, fragile community. (Skynews)