A night of 'outright thuggery' erupted in Belfast on Tuesday following the arrest and charging of a 30-year-old man with attempted murder. The man, reported to be Sudanese, is also charged with possession of a bladed article and making threats to kill. He is set to appear in court.
Widespread Disorder
Anti-immigration demonstrations across the city descended into chaos. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service responded to 62 separate incidents. A Glider bus was set on fire, leading to the cancellation of all bus and train services in Belfast. Several cars on Lendrick Street were set ablaze, and firefighters rescued people from houses as fire spread. Houses and vehicles in the Ligoniel Road area were also torched, and a police car was set on fire in Portadown.
Family Terrified
A resident who helped a family on the Shankill Road told Sky News that protesters attempted to enter their home and threw fireworks. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said, 'I could just see them all going into the house... I stopped every one of them from going into the bedroom.' She described the family as 'really, really scared' and escorted them out, shouting that they were not involved in Monday's attack.
Political Condemnation
Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill called it 'outright thuggery' and said, 'Groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice.' Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly added, 'Taking frustration at the evil actions of a person out on those who had no part in it is utterly wrong.' Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn stated, 'The scenes of disorder we have witnessed... are only damaging communities and putting innocent lives at risk. There is no justification at all for this type of destruction and thuggery.'
Background of the Attack
The victim of Monday's knife attack, a man in his 40s, remains in serious condition with eye, face, and back wounds. Police say there is no indication it was terror-related. The PSNI launched a 'critical incident' after video showed people, including one with a hurling stick, intervening to stop the attack in north Belfast. A kitchen knife was recovered. The arrested man entered Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland in February 2023, having flown from Paris to Dublin. He claimed asylum and was granted leave to remain until 2028. He is due in court on Wednesday.
