Petrol bomb attack at Galgorm Road

It is believed at least two devices were thrown through a downstairs window of the Galgorm Road property at 10.30pm on Sunday night.

A number of other devices also hit the outside of the building.

Scorch damage has been caused to the floor, walls and curtains and a window frame was also damaged.

The woman was alone in the house at the time of the attack and escaped injury.

A police spokesman said: "A motive for the attack has not yet been established - the investigation is at an early stage."

SDLP North Antrim MLA Declan O’Loan has condemned those responsible for the incident which, he said, may have been racially motivated, given that the victim is Polish.

He said: “I wholeheartedly deplore this savage attack which could easily have resulted in the loss of life.

“On the face of it, it appears that this crime may have been racially motivated,” said Mr O’Loan.

“Although Ballymena has experienced attacks of this nature before, there have been very few in recent years and people had hoped that this type of crime had been consigned to the history books.

“I would urge anyone with information on this serious incident to come forward to the police immediately”.

His North Antrim SF counterpart Daithi McKay also urged any witnesses to come forward.

He said: “As the damage to the house shows, this was an extremely serious attack and we are extremely lucky that no-one was killed or seriously injured.

“This appears to be a racially motivated attack and it is to be deplored. The Polish community are a valued part of the community in North Antrim and make a huge economic and social contribution to the community overall.

“The people who carried out this attack are those who are not welcome here. I would urge anyone with information pertaining to this incident to bring it forward and ensure that those who carried out the attack are brought to book.”

TUV Leader Jim Allister also condemned the incident, stating: "Whatever the perverse motive for the petrol bomb attack in Ballymena this is the sort of activity which the town neither wants nor needs.

“Such lawless disregard for life and property is the stuff of mob rule and utterly out of keeping with the lawful and peaceful society desired by the overwhelming majority in Ballymena.

"The perpetrators may see themselves as above the law, but in that I trust they will get a rude awakening with swift arrests and prosecution,” he said.

Investigaing PSNI Officers have appealed for information, specifically about a white van which was seen on the Galgorm Road around the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at Ballymena on 0845 600 8000. Alternatively, information about crime can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555 111.