In a dramatic turn of events that has reverberated across Northern Ireland and beyond, prosecutors have dropped all charges against two Romanian teenagers accused of attempting to rape a schoolgirl in Ballymena, County Antrim. The alleged incident, which took place on June 7, 2025, had sparked a wave of racially motivated riots and left deep scars in the community. Now, after more than five months in juvenile detention, the boys—aged just 14 and 15—are set to be released, following what officials described as "significant evidential developments" that undermined the case against them.
According to reporting from BelfastLive and The Guardian, the schoolgirl was allegedly dragged down an alleyway into a garage in the Clonavon Terrace area of Ballymena by three teenagers. The attack was interrupted by a sudden noise from outside, allowing the girl to escape. Authorities quickly moved to arrest and charge the two Romanian boys, while a third suspect reportedly fled to Romania the day after the incident.
What followed was nothing short of chaos. As the BBC and The Guardian recount, news of the alleged assault spread rapidly on social media, igniting a violent backlash in the town. Ballymena, a predominantly Protestant area with a 95% white population as per the 2021 census, had seen a recent influx of immigrants from Eastern Europe—many of whom found work in local food processing plants. Tensions that had simmered beneath the surface erupted into open hostility, with mobs targeting foreign-owned homes and businesses. The violence quickly escalated, spreading to towns like Larne and Portadown. During three nights of unrest, masked and hooded groups smashed windows, set fires, and hurled missiles, leaving dozens of police officers injured. The Roma community was hit particularly hard; one local source estimated that two-thirds of the pre-riot Roma population of 1,200 had fled Ballymena by the end of the summer.
The case against the teenagers moved slowly through the courts, with the boys remaining in custody at the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre for over five months. On November 28, 2025, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) made a surprise move, formally applying to withdraw all charges. At Laganside Youth Court, District Judge George Conner granted the order, noting, "I’m aware this is a very sensitive case, but the matters are now marked withdrawn. The less I say about it the better." The boys, represented by barristers Conn O’Neill and Victoria Loane, did not appear in court for the brief hearing, but their counsel raised no objection to the application. "The sooner this can be relayed to Woodlands, the sooner these two youths can be released," O’Neill said, according to BelfastLive.
The PPS, in a detailed statement, explained its decision: "The PPS has a duty to keep prosecution decisions under consideration and take into account any change in circumstances that occurs as the case proceeds. Where new information or evidence becomes available, it will be considered along with all the existing information and evidence in the case and the test for prosecution applied. We have recently been made aware of significant evidential developments in this case. In light of this new evidence, it has been determined that the test for prosecution is no longer met on evidential grounds, and therefore the case should not proceed." The statement emphasized that all decisions had been made independently and impartially, in line with the code for prosecutors. The prosecution and police investigation teams met with the complainant and her family on the morning of the court hearing to explain the reasoning behind the withdrawal of charges.
Because the accused are minors, none of the boys can be identified. The PPS stressed the importance of respecting the privacy and well-being of all young people involved, including the complainant, and stated it would not be making further comment on the matter. "We would appeal to the public not to engage in speculation, including online, about the case," the PPS urged.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephanie Finlay of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) echoed these sentiments, underscoring the seriousness with which all sexual crimes are investigated. "Any reported sexual crime is taken extremely seriously and thoroughly investigated by our specially trained team of detectives. The PSNI will follow up on all lines of enquiry as we seek to ensure justice. Information gathered during an investigation will be submitted to the Public Prosecution Service who then make an independent decision in accordance with evidential tests," she said. Finlay also made a direct appeal to victims: "We continue to encourage those who have been victims of sexual crimes to come forward and report to us. You will be dealt with sensitively and will be offered the appropriate additional support. We will listen, treat you with respect and act to keep you and others safe." She concluded with a reminder to the public: "We are aware that this case has generated significant public interest. I would remind everyone to remain respectful in light of today’s decision, and refrain from speculation, particularly on social media."
The collapse of the prosecution has brought renewed scrutiny to the ripple effects of the initial allegations and the subsequent unrest. The riots in Ballymena were marked not just by violence, but by a palpable sense of fear among immigrant communities. Some residents resorted to placing signs on their homes—"Filipino lives here"—in hopes of avoiding attacks. Others hung union flags and loyalist bunting in an attempt to deflect attention. For many, the events of the summer exposed underlying social tensions and highlighted the vulnerability of minority groups in the face of rumor and collective anger.
While the legal proceedings have ended for the two Romanian teenagers, questions remain about the broader consequences for Ballymena and towns like it across Northern Ireland. The PPS and PSNI have both called for restraint and respect as the community processes the outcome. For now, the two boys will return to their families, and the town will begin the difficult work of healing from a summer that laid bare deep divisions and anxieties about identity, justice, and belonging.
