The family of Stephen Ogilvie, the 43-year-old man who lost an eye and may lose the other after a brutal knife attack in Belfast, have issued a heartfelt plea for calm following a night of violent unrest. Masked demonstrators chanting anti-foreigner slogans set cars, houses, and a bus ablaze after gruesome footage of the stabbing circulated online.
Family Appeals for Peace
On Wednesday, relatives of the victim called for an end to the violence. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows, who spoke with Mr. Ogilvie's father, said: "The victim's father has asked me to pass on a direct appeal to those spreading disinformation online: please stop. This has shockingly included false posts on social media at various times that his son has died. This is causing immense additional distress to a family already going through an unimaginable ordeal. I echo that appeal wholeheartedly and urge everyone to act with decency and respect for this family."
In a statement issued through independent Councillor Stafford Ward, the family expressed devastation over the attack on Kinnaird Avenue. They thanked local residents who intervened, saying: "Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him." They also emphasized that overnight unrest is not welcome and that peaceful protest is the only way forward. "We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including in our healthcare system and hospitality sector, and we depend on them to make our country work. We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility."
The Attack and Its Aftermath
Stephen Ogilvie, who has learning difficulties and was deaf in one ear, was attacked on Monday around 10:30 PM on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast. He is now in an induced coma in a stable condition, but doctors are fighting to save his other eye. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese national, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. He refused legal representation and made no reply to charges through an Arabic interpreter. Police recovered a kitchen knife at the scene and said the victim suffered deep cuts to his head, face, and back, and lost his left eye.
Witnesses and Heroic Bystanders
Video footage shows bystanders confronting the attacker, including one wielding a hurling stick, until police arrived. Alodid allegedly said, "I've killed someone, I don't know if they are dead," while being treated for a hand injury, and threatened medical staff.
Violence Erupts in Belfast
On Tuesday night, masked gangs torched vehicles and properties across the city. A two-month-old baby was among those rescued by police as mobs set fires and smashed buildings. Jamie Corrie, whose home of 13 years was destroyed, said: "See standing there watching your house get burnt… that's a feeling I'll never get over." He expressed anger but questioned the violence: "What does this resolve? Burning cars out, wrecking your own community, and now one of their own has just lost their home." The family has appealed for anyone with information to contact police.
