Belfast riots latest: Violence erupts for second night as knife attack victim’s family left ‘feeling disgusted’

Belfast riots latest: Violence erupts for second night as knife attack victim’s family left ‘feeling disgusted’ Hundreds of people gather in Newtownabbey, where youths pull bricks from homes to make projectiles - Bookmark Violence erupted on the streets of Belfast for a second night on Wednesday as masked young men hurled bricks at police, who responded by firing water cannon to disperse gathering crowds. Masked youths broke up parts of pavements and walls of private homes to make bricks to throw at police, and a vehicle appeared to have been set alight, sending black smoke billowing into the sky. Two hundred extra police officers were on the streets after residents were forced to flee homes that were set alight on Tuesday night, as a Sudanese man was charged over a knife attack in Belfast. The family of Stephen Ogilvie, who lost an eye in the attack, said they were “disgusted” by the response and “do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility”. Northern Ireland’s infrastructure minister condemned the second night of destruction as “racism, intimidation and thuggery”, saying the acts “serve no one and only cause harm and fear within communities”. Suspect Hadi Alodid appeared at Belfast magistrates’ court charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife. Alodid, who refused legal representation, was remanded in custody for four weeks. Government to intensify immigration enforcement in Northern Ireland A government source tells The Independent that the government will intensify immigration enforcement to track down, detain, arrest and remove illegal migrants in Northern Ireland with new investment. They say the Home Secretary is investing £3.7bn into Immigration Enforcement activity over the next three years, including in Northern Ireland. Investment into enforcement is to increase by over 20 per cent by 2028-29, they say. “This will see a surge in Intelligence-led operations lead by Immigration Enforcement and Border Force along CTA routes to detect, track down, arrest and remove illegal migrants. Nearly 1,000 illegal migrants have been removed in the last year alone.” The number of asylum seekers in supported accommodation in Northern Ireland has decreased by 6% under this Government, from 2,530 in June 2024 to 2,379 in March 2026, they say. Hadi Alodid: Man charged over Belfast stabbing was asylum seeker who came to UK from Sudan A Sudanese man named as Hadi Alodid has been charged over a knife attack in Northern Ireland that left one person in a serious condition in Belfast. The 30-year-old appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday morning charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie, who lost his left eye, and sustained deep cuts to his head, face and back during the alleged attack on Monday, police said. He was also charged with threatening to kill an NHS radiographer on the same day and with the possession of a knife. Man charged over Belfast stabbing was asylum seeker who came to UK from Sudan Belfast family ‘traumatised’ after rioters tried to burn down house as children slept in their beds Terrorised families have been forced to flee their homes after violent and racist rioting saw migrants targeted in response to a street stabbing in Belfast. Several people had to risk their lives to escape their houses on Tuesday night after protests turned violent, with homes and cars set alight. The unrest came after Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye and was left with serious neck and back injuries after he was stabbed in north Belfast on Monday night. Family ‘traumatised’ after rioters tried to burn down house as children slept in beds ‘Hero’ bystander who fought off Belfast knifeman with hurling stick ‘glad’ he intervened A “hero” bystander who bravely intervened in a knife attack in Belfast said he was trying to “protect a young lad” and was glad he stood up to the attacker. Maitiu Mag Tighearnan has been praised for his actions after he bravely used a hurling stick to fight off a man attacking the victim, who suffered serious injuries to his eyes, neck and back, in north Belfast on Monday night. More than £18,000 has been raised to show support for the 32-year-old father and “buy him a pint”. In a social media post, Mr Tighearnan said he “just landed there by chance” and managed to “protect a young lad”. Read the full story: ‘Hero’ who fought Belfast knifeman with hurling stick ‘glad’ to help Comment: After the Belfast riots, the Irish border is back to haunt Brexit The fluid arrangement between Ireland and the UK was a diplomatic fudge long before Britain left the European Union – but the violence unleashed by a knife attack has called this gentlemanly agreement into question, says Mary Dejevsky: After the Belfast riots, the Irish border is back to haunt Brexit Ofcom contacts social media platforms over risk of illegal content Social media platform X - formerly Twitter - is among those to have been contacted by the communications watchdog about online content potentially linked to scenes of violence in Belfast. Technology secretary Liz Kendall said she had explicitly asked Ofcom to discuss with X and other platforms how they will comply with the Online Safety Act. Elon Musk, who used his online account to promote calls for people to take to the streets in response to Monday’s knife attack, hit back at accusations he was inflaming tensions and blamed immigration policy. Communications regulator Ofcom said some of the disorder appeared to have been incited online, adding: “This has included racially motivated incidents of violence, arson attacks on homes and vehicles, and attacks against police.” The watchdog said it had contacted all major platforms where it believed there were “specific risks around the presence of illegal content relating to the civil unrest”. Online service providers have duties under the Online Safety Act 2023 to “assess and mitigate the risks of illegal activity occurring on their sites and apps” – content that may include stirring up hatred or provoking violence. Comment: As I watch Belfast burn in violent protests, I think of the far right in England and the US spreading poison People who know nothing of my city and have probably never been here are using what’s happening to their own advantage, writes Amanda Ferguson in Belfast: From Belfast: As I watch my city burn, I think of the far right spreading poison Watch: Sam Kiley reports live as Belfast rioters are hit with Water cannons Stephen Ogilvie in hospital in a stable condition after Monday's attack The victim of Monday night’s attack, Stephen Ogilvie remained in hospital on Wednesday. He is in a stable condition in hospital in Belfast, his family said. They urged against falsehoods being shared online about his condition. It is understood Mr Ogilvie, who is in his 40s, is in an induced coma. The court heard earlier that Mr Ogilvie lost his left eye and suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back during the attack.