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.
Read MoreRioting breaks out for second night near Belfast as masked protesters clash with police
Belfast stabbing victim’s family condemn riots and plead: ‘Don’t use tragedy to fuel hostility’
‘Hero’ bystander who fought off Belfast knifeman with hurling stick ‘glad’ he intervened
Key points
- 'Missiles are being thrown at officers' - police
- Belfast family ‘traumatised’ after rioters tried to burn down house as children slept in their beds
- Stephen Ogilvie in hospital in a stable condition after Monday's attack
- Man charged over Belfast stabbing was asylum seeker who came to UK from Sudan
- Ugandan student forced to flee Belfast home
- Police warn against sharing 'hit list' of addresses
Recap: Family of victim insist 'We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide'
06:30 , James ReynoldsIn a fresh statement issued via the Police Service of Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening, Mr Ogilvie’s family said they wanted to make clear they do not support violence.
“We have been left feeling disgusted by the scenes that unfolded yesterday across Northern Ireland in the wake of what happened,” they said.
“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.”
They went on to emphasise they do not want what happened to their loved one to divide people.
“We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including from within our healthcare system and hospitality sector, and we depend on them to make our country work,” they said.
“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.”
The family also paid tribute to those who intervened during the attack.
“We also wish to say a profound thank you to the local people who bravely stepped in during the attack,” they said.
“Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him in that moment.
“We also want to thank the emergency services and the doctors and nurses looking after him.”
Recap: A second night of bedlam in Belfast as family urge calm
06:00 , James ReynoldsProtesters in Northern Ireland wrought havoc for a second night on Wednesday, lighting fires and hurling bricks at police, who responded by firing water cannon.
- Most of the clashes occurred as demonstrators confronted the police around the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey to the north west of Belfast.
- Protesters were seen tearing bricks from properties and smashing paving stones with sledgehammers to create projectiles to throw at riot police. They also took taking wheelie bins from outside homes and lit fires in them.
- Balaclava-clad rioters also broke open a metal fence to access the Sandyknowes Wastewater Pumping Station and removed a garden fence to use as a shield against the police water cannon.
- In Derry, police reported items having been set alight on the Ardmore Road.
- The family of the victim, Stephen Ogilvie, appealed for calm and said they were ‘disgusted’ by the protests. They stressed they do not want what happened to divide people.
- Earlier, suspect Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared in court charged with attempted murder over Monday’s knife attack in which victim Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye.
Government to intensify immigration enforcement in Northern Ireland
05:30 , James ReynoldsA 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
05:00 , James ReynoldsA 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
04:30 , James ReynoldsTerrorised 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
04:00 , James ReynoldsA “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
03:30 , James ReynoldsThe 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
03:00 , Jane DaltonSocial 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
02:30 , James ReynoldsPeople 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
02:00 , James ReynoldsStephen Ogilvie in hospital in a stable condition after Monday's attack
01:30 , James ReynoldsThe 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.
Pictured: The aftermath of protests on Wednesday
01:00 , James Reynolds
Belfast stabbing victim’s family condemn riots and plead: ‘Don’t use tragedy to fuel hostility’
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:30 , James ReynoldsThe family of the Belfast stabbing victim have condemned violent riots that saw houses torched, forcing families to flee, as “not welcome”.
Relatives of Stephen Ogilvie, who lost an eye in Monday night’s attack, said they were “horrified” by the attack but said they did not want the incident to stoke division after migrant families were targeted by rioters.
They defended migrants who they said “make a deeply valuable contribution” to Northern Ireland and called for peaceful protests going forward.
Belfast stabbing victim’s family condemn riots and say ‘unrest is unwelcome’
Wednesday's demonstrations condemned as 'disgraceful and disgusting' by infrastucture minister
Thursday 11 June 2026 00:15 , James ReynoldsNorthern 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.”
Ugandan student forced to flee Belfast home
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:57 , James ReynoldsIn a harrowing testimony, a Ugandan student nurse told ITV how she was forced to flee her home during unrest in Belfast this week.
“I only got three things from the house and the only thing I did not get from the house were the letters my children wrote for me. Because that is all I have from my children: the letters that they wrote for me three years back when I was leaving them back home,” she said.
“I think that is the only thing I didn’t get. I only got my passport, my laptop and my uniform because I have to go to work.”
Stephen Ogilvie in hospital in a stable condition after Monday's attack
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:47 , James ReynoldsThe 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.
Expanded: Family of victim insist 'We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide'
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:19 , James ReynoldsIn a fresh statement issued via the Police Service of Northern Ireland on Wednesday evening, Mr Ogilvie’s family said they wanted to make clear they do not support violence.
“We have been left feeling disgusted by the scenes that unfolded yesterday across Northern Ireland in the wake of what happened,” they said.
“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.”
They went on to emphasise they do not want what happened to their loved one to divide people.
“We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including from within our healthcare system and hospitality sector, and we depend on them to make our country work,” they said.
“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.”
The family also paid tribute to those who intervened during the attack.
“We also wish to say a profound thank you to the local people who bravely stepped in during the attack,” they said.
“Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him in that moment.
“We also want to thank the emergency services and the doctors and nurses looking after him.”
Victim's family 'deeply distressed' by false information circulating - and 'disgusted' by ongoing disorder
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:09 , James ReynoldsThe family of Stephen Ogilvie, the victim of Monday night’s knife attack in Belfast, say that the sharing of false information on social media is “deeply distressing” and should stop.
In a statement shared by police, they say the falsehoods are “now forcing us to clarify that our loved one is in fact in a stable condition, and we are solely focused on his recovery at this time”.
They add that they have been left “feeling disgusted” by the recent disorder.
Bedlam continues late into Wednesday
Wednesday 10 June 2026 23:04 , James ReynoldsHorrific scenes are still emerging from the Belfast area under nightfall.
On the Antrim Road, where tonight’s clashes have centred, a house can be seen gutted and charred with smoke and flame still billowing out of what remains of the roof, according to a photograph published by the Belfast Telegraph.
Nearby, police were still using water cannon to disperse a large mob of demonstrators on the road leading to a hotel previously believed to house migrants.
A fleet of police vehicles remain in position, with riot police wielding batons and riot shields on the streets, separated from the protesters by a wall of fire.
Earlier, police stood their ground in line formation, in front of a row of police Land Rovers, containing pockets of scattered protesters on a closed road.
Another photo from the area shows a car toppled onto its roof and burned out with a wheel entirely missing. Three police vans are parked nearby.
In pictures: Police continue to disperse crowds as night falls
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:49 , James Reynolds
Police warn against sharing 'hit list' of addresses
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:34 , James ReynoldsPolice have cautioned against sharing a ‘hit list’ of addresses in Northern Ireland marked out in the latest wave of unrest.
According to the BBC, the list is circulating social media and has more than 100 addresses listed on it for targeting.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland say called the list “unacceptable” and warned that sharing it could amount to a criminal offence.
The BBC says that they have spoken to some of the residents at addresses on the list. They were students, they report, who have had been forced from their homes to stay elsewhere tonight.
Police have already established a presence outside some addresses.
'Missiles are being thrown at officers' - police
Wednesday 10 June 2026 22:26 , Alex RossPolice Service Northern Ireland has given an update on the scene at the Sandyknowes roundabout area in Newtownabbey.
In a statement, the force said: “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.”
