The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has announced the withdrawal of charges against two Romanian teenagers accused of the attempted sexual assault of a schoolgirl in Ballymena, County Antrim. The high-profile case, which previously ignited severe anti-immigrant and racially-motivated riots across parts of Northern Ireland, is now officially closed on evidential grounds.
PPS Decision Cites ‘Evidential Developments’
The two boys, aged 14 and 15, who have been held in custody since their initial appearance in June, were released following the court ruling.
A spokesperson for the PPS confirmed that the decision was made after “significant evidential developments” came to light. The PPS stated that, in light of this new evidence, the test for prosecution was no longer met, meaning the criminal proceedings could not proceed further.
The Public Prosecution Service and the police investigation team met with the complainant and her family earlier today to explain the rationale behind the withdrawal of charges. Both authorities have urged the public to refrain from speculation on social media regarding the sensitive details of the case.
Context: The Ballymena Riots Fallout
The initial report of the alleged assault in June immediately triggered widespread anti-immigrant unrest in Ballymena, a town in Northern Ireland. Protests escalated into several nights of violence, with masked rioters throwing missiles, resulting in injuries to police officers and multiple arrests for public disorder offenses.
The riots, which targeted ethnic minorities, particularly the Roma community, led to dozens of families fleeing the area amid fears for their safety. The collapse of the prosecution marks a significant legal development in a case that brought global attention to the deep-seated anti-immigrant tensions in the region.
