In Northern Ireland, a minister has faced backlash after violence erupted in Larne, culminating in an attack on a leisure center used for sheltering refugees from Ballymena. DUP minister Gordon Lyons has rejected resignation calls, arguing he was unaware of the leisure center's role until recently. Critics, including fellow politicians and a local finance minister, argue Lyons exhibited poor leadership amid rising tensions. Despite the criticism, Lyons maintained he aimed to clarify misinformation regarding the center, while policing officials and community leaders condemned the racism behind the violence.
Lyons stated he was trying to clarify rumors regarding the leisure center's use to calm tensions, emphasizing that he did not support its conversion.
O'Neill condemned the violence as 'pure racism', stressing the need for a peaceful dialogue and a united community response to the issues at hand.
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