Father-of-five jailed for throwing bottles at police in Ballymena riots

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 24 Oct, 06:44 · Archive

A father-of-five was jailed for one year after throwing beer bottles at police during racially-motivated riots in Ballymena last June.

Gary McCrystal, 44, was sentenced to one year in prison on Friday after admitting a charge of rioting. He threw two beer bottles at police during disorder in Ballymena on 10 June 2025 and will spend an additional two years on supervised licence after his release.

Judge Laura Ievers KC heard that the town experienced large-scale disorder across three consecutive nights in June. Homes of foreign nationals were attacked during the riots, with some people suffering smoke inhalation from fires set to properties. A total of eight families were displaced. Over 50 police officers in Ballymena were injured during the disorder, which saw police attacked with petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry.

On the night of the riot, hundreds of people gathered in the Clonavon area. McCrystal was identified on police footage present at the scene. At around 8pm he moved towards police lines and was observed standing about three metres away as a group of masked men pelted officers with bricks and other items. McCrystal expressed shame and embarrassment about his behaviour, telling a Probation Officer that his actions were 'the worst thing I have ever done'.

How it is being reported

• Dad jailed after throwing beer bottles at police during Ballymena race riotsHe expressed shame and embarrassment about his behaviour and told the Probation Officer 'this is the worst thing I have ever done'Belfast Live · 24 Oct, 06:00
• Father-of-five who threw beer bottles at police during Ballymena race riot jailedBelfast Telegraph · 23 Oct, 20:30
• Father-of-five who threw beer bottles at police during Ballymena race riot jailedBelfast Telegraph · 23 Oct, 16:18

In this story: Gary McCrystal · Judge Laura Ievers KC · Ballymena · PSNI

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