Disorder has broken out in Northern Ireland for the third successive night, after police said people are "waking up with genuine fear for their lives" following two nights of violence in Ballymena and other areas. Follow the latest.
Thursday 12 June 2025 07:48, UK
You can catch up on how disorder unfolded tonight by browsing through the key points above, and scrolling below.
We'll be back with any further developments.
The latest images show the damage to Larne Leisure Centre, about 20 miles east of Ballymena in County Antrim.
A blaze broke out at the facility after masked individuals smashed windows and set fires that spread inside.
The facility had been designated as an emergency rest centre for those in urgent need following disturbances in Ballymena, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council said.
The families had been safely relocated elsewhere, it added.
For the first time tonight, police have used water cannons on a street in Ballymena.
One man wearing a hooded tracksuit could be seen facing the line of police vehicles and raising his hands in the air, before dodging across the street as two jets of water were fired towards him.
Our correspondent Connor Gillies says the situation is so far not as violent as it has been on the two previous evenings.
However, repeated police warnings urging crowds to disperse "appear to be spurring them on," he says.
Crowds are gathered in Ballymena, with a petrol bomb seen thrown towards police vans lining the street.
A message was played from the speakers there, warning force will be used against violent individuals.
"No further warnings will be given," it continued.
Reports in Ireland suggest the leisure centre in Larne that is said to have been targeted by "masked thugs" - see 20.59 - may have housed people moved from Ballymena around 20 miles away, though this has not been verified.
DUP politician Gordon Lyons posted on Facebook earlier today "a number of individuals were temporarily moved to Larne Lesiure Centre... following disturbances in Ballymena".
"It has now been confirmed to us by the PSNI and Council that all these individuals are in the care of the Housing Executive and have been moved out of Larne," he added.
"Protesting is of course a legitimate right but violence is not and I would encourage everyone to remain peaceful."
The Irish Independent said it is understood there is nobody currently inside the Leisure Centre.
In Ballymena, police have gathered to deter any rioters planing disorder for a third night in a row.
Our team is there now, where a crowd has been told to move away.
A warning played via speakers tells them they should be "dispersed immediately".
It then warns "force will be used against violent individuals".
A fire has reportedly broken out at a leisure centre in another town in the same county as Ballymena.
Footage on social media shows masked individuals smashing windows and setting fires outside the building in Larne.
The map below shows where Larne is, about 20 miles east of Ballymena in County Antrim.
Local Alliance MLA Danny Donnelly said the leisure centre "has been attacked by masked thugs".
"Windows smashed and fires lit nearby," he posted on social media.
"Larne does not need this."
More pictures now from the scene in Ballymena, where police are preparing for another night of rioting.
We've already brought you reports of residents in Ballymena displaying signs in their windows about their nationality - in an attempt to avoid rioters targeting their homes.
Now, our team on the ground bring us pictures of entire rows of homes displaying signs.
Our correspondent Connor Gillies explains that these signs look organised, as they are all of the same design, printed on yellow paper with black lettering in caps saying "Locals live here".
Some homes with the signs in their windows also have the Northern Irish flag or the Union flag, too.
We reported in the post below that the police presence in Ballymena is growing.
The picture below, from the last few minutes, gives you an idea of the units now taking formation.
Several vans have arrived, blocking off a street as more officers line up equipped with riot gear.
