Northern Ireland Sees Violent Protests After Stabbing

Protests

Thursday, 11 Jun 2026, 9:03am

In short:

Police in Northern Ireland used water cannons and armored vehicles against violent protesters for the second night.

Men in masks set cars and homes on fire.

The family of the stabbed man called for calm.

A Northern Irish man lost an eye in a knife attack, leading to anti-immigrant violence in Belfast with homes and vehicles being burned.

A Sudanese man was charged with attempted murder as British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Northern Ireland politicians condemned the violence against ethnic minorities.

Police clashed with protesters, using water cannons and armored vehicles against young men throwing bricks and fireworks near Belfast.

There was less unrest than the previous evening after a video of the knife attack went viral.

Police fought rioters trying to reach a hotel that housed migrants in Glengormley.

Stabbing victim's family calls for calm

The victim's family, the Ogilvies, issued a statement calling for calm.

They said unrest is not welcome and peaceful protest is the only way forward.

The family does not want the tragedy to divide people or fuel hostility, noting many migrants contribute to the country.

Protesters lit fires on Belfast's Antrim Road during the second night of riots.

Sir Keir Starmer said the attack raises serious questions but driving people out of their homes is not the right response.

The suspect, Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese national, appeared in court and was remanded in custody.

The victim, Mr. Ogilvie, suffered significant face and back injuries.

Protesters set cars and homes on fire

Videos of the attack sparked calls for violent protest on social media.

Police helped a family escape a burning house. Cars and a bus were set on fire, targeting black people.

A resident, Jamie Corry, watched as his house burned.

He said he stood by as his house slowly went up in flames.

Union Jack flags hung from a boarded-up house in eastern Belfast.

Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, called the violence 'disgusting cowardice'. A pastor said some church members were forced out of their homes because they were black.

The knife attack comes at a time of heightened tensions in Britain after a student's murder.

It follows protests about immigration, with some saying Britain's asylum policy allows dangerous men into the country.

Elon Musk reposted messages denouncing the UK after the Belfast incident.

Police used a water cannon against anti-immigrant protesters.

Following posts from Elon Musk and calls for more protests, Northern Ireland's police chief said 200 more officers would be deployed.

The police chief said the rioters targeted society, not just ethnic minority groups.

Minister accuses 'bad-faith actors' of exploiting attacks

Justice Minister Naomi Long paid tribute to the community that helped the victim during the knife attack.

She said 'bad-faith actors' sought to weaponize fear and anger to target innocent migrants.

The targeted migrants were not related to the attacker and were not involved in crime but became victims themselves.

That is not in anyone's interest.

The minister said the community needs to pull together and put safety first so everyone can feel safe at home and on the street.

The disorder in Northern Ireland is the latest violence in the UK in response to a crime involving a migrant.

Immigration has historically been low in Northern Ireland due to conflict, but migration has increased in recent years.

There has been a hardening sentiment against immigration in Northern Ireland and parts of the Republic of Ireland.

According to the 2021 census, 96.6% of those living in Northern Ireland were white, and police statistics showed a record level of racist incidents in 2025.

Northern Ireland saw anti-immigrant rioting last year over an alleged sexual assault.

Reuters/ABC

Thursday, 11 Jun 2026, 9:03am

Thursday, 11 Jun 2026, 11:23am

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