A second individual has been taken into custody in connection with slurry being dumped on several streets in Ballymena, County Antrim, just hours before the town’s inaugural Pride parade.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, has sparked outrage among political figures and the wider community.
Minister for Justice Naomi Long condemned the act, branding it: “Disgusting in every sense of the word.”
Despite the disruption, the Pride event proceeded as planned, thanks to a swift clean-up effort led by organisers and supportive local businesses.
Police discovered the slurry at around 3am on Saturday. A 19-year-old man was arrested at the scene. He has since been charged with several offences, including criminal damage, possession of a blade or pointed article, and causing hazardous material to be deposited on a public road.
He is expected to appear in court tomorrow. The PSNI has now confirmed a second arrest. A 20-year-old man was apprehended on Sunday morning.
“The man was arrested on Sunday morning on suspicion of criminal damage, aiding and abetting criminal damage and causing material to be deposited on a road, and he remains in custody at this time. The matter is being treated as a hate crime and enquiries are ongoing,” a PSNI spokesperson stated.
Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Police can be contacted on 101, quoting reference number 191 of June 28.
The community, though shaken, has shown resilience, turning up in numbers to support Ballymena’s first-ever Pride event despite the setback.
