Belfast attack live: Protesters blasted with water cannon during second night of violence

Belfast attack live: Protesters blasted with water cannon during second night of violence Belfast faced more violence in the aftermath of a brutal stabbing attack hours after suspect Hadi Alodid was charged with attempted murder Police were pelted with bricks and multiple vehicles set on fire by gangs of masked rioters as the disorder in Belfast continued for a second day, following a brutal stabbing in the city centre. A water cannon was deployed by police after around 200 masked youths attempted to march upon a migrant hotel in Newtownabbey, after a nearby lorry at a roundabout was torched. The suspect in the attack, which sparked shocking anti-immigrant protests across Belfast, has been named as 30-year-old Hadi Alodid. He has been remanded in custody for four weeks after being charged with the attempted stabbing murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife. The court was told the victim, Stephen Ogilvie, who in his 40s, has lost his left eye. His family released a statement with an update on his condition. They said Stephen is in a stable condition and urged people to stop spreading 'false information'. The family added they had been left “feeling disgusted” by the recent disorder. The statement read: "We want to make it absolutely clear that to do this in response is not supported by our family, and peaceful protest is only ever the way forward. “We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility – do not do this in the name of our loved one as we do not share the same values.” Key Events District Judge Stephen Keown warned that anyone who plans to take part in further disorder in Northern Ireland should “be prepared to go to prison”. He made the statement as he charged Hadi Alodid, 30, with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack in which the victim, Stephen Ogilvie, lost an eye. Family's plea to stop spreading disinformation follows the technology secretary's announcement that the law will be updated to require social media platforms to remove illegal content faster during an emergency. "Those who use social media to incite violence and disorder are breaking the law," Liz Kendall said. "Next week, we will lay in parliament an update to the Online Safety Act requiring services to take quicker action to remove illegal content circulating during times of crisis." Kendall also said she asked Ofcom to discuss with X and other platforms how they will comply with the act. Cabinet Office minister Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent told the House of Lords that 27 people were made homeless on Tuesday night “because people went door-to-door to try and target foreign nationals to burn them out of their homes”. Following the disorder this evening, streets have been left covered in rubbish with cars, bins and fences left sprawled on roads and destroyed. The shell of a car burnt in the action can be seen outside a property that continues to burn into the night. Firefighters remain on scene. Following the disorder on Antrim Road this evening, there remains a police presence in the area as most of the streets have now cleared. PSNI officers are patroling Antrim Road, with three vehicles parked on the street. There are also five police vehicles parked on Jubilee Way and police in Tesco carpark. Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister has condemned the lighting on fire of a vehicle in a depot owned by her department in Co Antrim. The vehicle, thought to be used to clear gullies, were set alight during disorder at the Sandyknowles roundabout earlier. Liz Kimmins said a second night of destruction and disruption “needs to be condemned in the strongest possible way”. “It is racism, it is intimidation and absolute thuggery,” she said. “These acts serve no one and only cause harm and fear within communities. It is disgraceful and disgusting. “I utterly condemn the incident at my department’s depot in Sandyknowes and the further disruption we have seen with transport services suspended and businesses closing early. “I thank the police for their response and I reiterate the calls for this violence to stop.” As water cannons were deployed on Antrim Road much of the chaos has dispersed. Most of the disorder now is in the area around a service station in Glenabbey, with small fires breaking out in the roadway. This fresh wave of disorder broke out as a derelict building was set alight close to a local petrol station, the bungalow quickly engulfed in flames. Images from the scene show protestors attempting to set fire to a derelict building nearby the clashes. Police have advised the public to avoid an area of Greenock in Scotland due to “protest activity” following disorder in Belfast. A police statement said: “We are aware of ongoing protest activity in the Main Street area of Greenock. Officers are in attendance and the public is advised to avoid the area.” The sharing of false information on social media is “deeply distressing” and should stop, the family of Stephen Ogilvie, the victim of Monday night’s knife attack in Belfast, has said in a statement issued through police, adding that they had been left “feeling disgusted” by the recent disorder. Protesters are continuing to clash with police in Belfast tonight. Fires are burning during a stand off in Glengormley while a number of missiles, including bricks, bottles and masonry, have been thrown at police. The PSNI said: "Police are dealing with public disorder in Glengormley this evening, Wednesday 10th June. "Road users and members of the public are asked to avoid the Antrim Road area, as a number of missiles, including bricks, bottles and masonry, have been thrown at police. "A bin has also been set alight. The disorder comes following a protest in the area earlier this evening. Officers are in attendance to ensure the safety of everyone." Rioters have been attempting to burn down a property in Newtownabbey, where smoke has blanketed the area, reports Belfast Live. In other scenes, a car is on fire on the Antrim Road, while petrol bombs have been spotted in the crowd. A car has been set on fire by a group of masked men in the middle of Antrim Road. The burning vehicle has been lit between the Sandyknowes roundabout and the Northcott Shopping Centre. It comes after a group of masked rioters threw petrol bombs at the water cannon on Antrim Rd and attempted to syphon gasoline from a nearby petrol station. A teenager has been arrested after two police officers were "savagely targeted" with a petrol bomb during rioting in Co Antrim on Tuesday. One officer who was involved in public order duties in Carrickfergus was taken to hospital, while the second officer was treated at the scene. An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of riot at an address in Carrickfergus and he remained in custody on Wednesday night. Two police officers were also injured while tackling violence in Belfast on Tuesday night. Chief Superintendent Stephen Murray said it was fortunate that the officers in Carrickfergus were not more seriously hurt. He warned that more arrests will be made in the days ahead. Police said anyone with information should contact officers on 101 or 999 in an emergency, while a report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form on the PSNI website. Sadiq Khan has released a statement following the recent events in Belfast. The London Mayor said "we must take on hateful forces that seek to divide us," and that terrorising people for the colour of their skin has "nothing to do with justice." Riot police have been seen charging at protesters in Sandyknowes, north Belfast, this evening. A row of police vehicles are behind them and crowds appear to be retreating. A fire can be seen burning in the distance. Irish deputy PM Simon Harris says the disorder on Tuesday night was "beyond chilling". "The idea that we had masked men on the streets of Northern Ireland, looking for people on the basis of their race or ethnicity, it's vigilante behaviour," he said. "I don't think any of us can fully comprehend the fear that that must have caused for so many innocent people and indeed so many children." He told the Irish news outlet The Journal that, while there's a place in society for protest, what happened was "utter thuggery. Illegal, disgusting, despicable, racist thuggery". He added: "What we saw last night was criminality and it was despicable". Crowds are growing outside a hotel in Newtownabbey which is believed to be housing asylum seekers. A small fire was started by protesters at the scene, where multiple police vans and officers have been deployed. Residents in Belfast have been unable to order food this evening, with Deliveroo reportedly suspending services across the city. A warning message on the app says: "For the safety of our riders, we have paused deliveries in this area." Firefighters have been pictured trying to put out a council vehicle which was set on fire near a hotel housing asylum seekers in Mallusk, Northern Ireland. Petrol bombs and fireworks are understood to be among the missiles being hurled at police during the disorder this evening. The petrol bombs were thrown towards the water cannon on the Antrim Road, while fireworks have also been aimed at the police line, reports Belfast Live. Protesters have been pictured at the Edward Carson statue on the Stormont Estate grounds in Belfast today to stage an anti-immigration demonstration. A Facebook user has posted a photo of a damaged vehicle in Moygeshal, Co Tyrone, saying someone from a "migrant background" had contacted him saying their vehicle was attacked by what they believe to be a pellet/rubber bullet. The PSNI have urged drivers to avoid the Sandyknowes Roundabout area due to ongoing disorder this evening. "Crowds have gathered and missiles are being thrown at officers who have now deployed the water cannon in an attempt to maintain public order," the force said in a statement. "We continue to monitor the situation." Sandyknowes Roundabout has been closed between Scullions Road and M2 southbound off-slip after riot police were seen clashing with a group of masked men. Moments ago, officers sprayed protesters with a water cannon, while some of the men in the crowd were seen throwing bricks at police. Drivers have been advised to seek an alternative route. Police have arrived outside a hotel housing asylum seekers prior to a demonstration this evening. A large crowd has formed on the street and multiple police vans have been deployed to the area. A social media post had earlier called for people to gather at Tesco Northcott before marching to the hotel. The store closed early this evening ahead of the planned march. Police have sprayed protesters with a water cannon after a gang of around 150 protesters have converged on a hotel in Newtownabbey. Around 30 riot officers are currently reported at the scene Riot police with shields up have formed a line from Antrim Road to Ballyhenry Road. Aerial footage at Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey shows a water cannon being used to disperse the crowd. Police have sprayed a water cannon into a crowd of several hundred mostly masked people. Bricks are being hurled at officers, reports Belfast Live. A lorry is currently burning close to the Sandyknowes roundabout after being torched by protesters, with explosions heard nearby A crowd of around 200 people have gathered at the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey this evening. PSNI Land Rovers have blocked the road, and what appears to be a Department of Infrastructure street cleaner has been set alight, reports the BBC. Some people were seen throwing objects at officers, while others have left due to the heavy rain.