Larne: Man speaks of fear during rioting at NI leisure centre

Larne: Man speaks of fear during rioting at NI leisure centre

A leisure centre in Northern Ireland became the target of violent attacks during recent rioting, creating a tense and ominous atmosphere for those present. Northern Ireland Assembly Member Danny Donnelly described the scene at Larne Leisure Centre as one of fear, with families and children who were swimming and attending classes feeling threatened by masked youths. The leisure centre, which was also serving as emergency shelter for families affected by clashes in Ballymena, was set on fire by the attackers.

Donnelly emphasized the disturbing nature of the situation as masked individuals gathered outside the leisure centre with bricks in hand, indicating a deliberate and malicious intent behind their actions. He recounted the staff’s efforts to ensure the safety of patrons, guiding them to their cars amidst the chaos. Despite repeated attempts by masked individuals to access the property, the staff managed to maintain control and keep people out of harm’s way until they could evacuate the premises.

The violence escalated further when a brick was thrown through a window during a yoga class, causing panic and chaos among the participants. Donnelly noted the systematic destruction of windows and the sustained nature of the attack on the leisure centre, with paint even being thrown over fire doors. As the situation grew more dangerous, the staff had to retreat through the back door to ensure their own safety, highlighting the severity of the violence that unfolded.

In the aftermath of the incident, Donnelly made a plea for calm across Northern Ireland, emphasizing the unnecessary nature of such destructive actions. He condemned the violence that led to the loss of services at the leisure centre and the fear experienced by staff and families caught in the crossfire. Additionally, Donnelly criticized Stormont Minister Gordon Lyons for a controversial social media post revealing the location of migrant families who were seeking refuge at the leisure centre, sparking further controversy and criticism from other elected representatives

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