Olympic swimmer Danielle Hill recently shared her harrowing experience in Larne, where she was confronted by masked men while coaching children at the leisure center.

Upon arriving at Larne Leisure Centre for a coaching session, Hill noticed a crowd gathering outside. Masked youths then launched an attack on the building, which had provided temporary shelter to two displaced ethnic minority families from Ballymena.

Describing the incident, Hill told RTÉ News, 'As I walked outside to move my car, four masked men walked around the corner. I've never experienced something like that and it scared me.'

The 25-year-old swimmer made the decision to cancel her session and contacted the child protection officer to ensure the safe collection of the children. She urged everyone to remain vigilant and cautious before leaving the premises.

Despite the presence of police officers at the scene, they were outnumbered by the attackers, prompting a temporary withdrawal before riot officers returned. During this time, burning bins were brought into the building's foyer, causing flames to spread and the glass front of the leisure center to be shattered.

Many children, some as young as six, were inside the leisure center at the time of the incident. Hill expressed her dismay at the unnecessary violence, emphasizing that it could have resulted in a much more tragic outcome.

Reflecting on the events, Hill voiced her disbelief at the resurgence of violence and masked individuals in Northern Ireland, a stark contrast to her upbringing. She called for an end to such senseless acts and a return to addressing the core issues, including the alleged sexual assault of a young girl and the broader problem of violence against women and girls.