How the Northern Ireland riots unfolded: Nights of disorder sparked by Belfast knife attack
Northern Ireland was plunged into violent disorder this week, with vehicles burned, homes torched, and hundreds of masked individuals - many of them youths - flooding the streets.The wave of race‑hate riots was triggered by a brutal knife attack on Monday evening in north Belfast. In the days since, families have been forced from their homes and communities left to pick up the pieces.The Irish News takes a look back at recent events, and the reaction that followed.A Sudanese man has been arrested How it startedPolice were alerted to a stabbing incident in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast shortly after 10.30pm on Monday night.Officers arrived on the scene within minutes as members of the public tried to stop the attacker who was seen on top of another man on the street.A police cordon at the scene of the stabbing outside apartments in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) The victim in his 40s was taken to hospital having suffered significant injuries to his eyes and serious slash wounds to his back and face after being attacked with a knife. On Wednesday, Sudanese national Hadi Alodid appeared in court. The 30-year-old was remanded in custody charged with attempted murder and possessing a bladed article in public. Thousands view graphic video ahead of protests By Tuesday morning, a graphic video of the previous night’s attack had spread online, and was viewed by thousands of people within hours. Momentum built rapidly, and by lunchtime anti-immigration protests were being organised across the north and parts of the UK.The scene on Lendrick Street on Tuesday night (PA/PA) Violent disorder erupted on Tuesday evening, some of the worst seen in years. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) received 256 calls and attended 62 incidents. A Glider bus was set on fire by protesters on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast (PA/PA) Cars and homes were burned across Belfast. A Glider bus was set alight on the Newtownards Road, and the Sham supermarket on the Donegall Road was targeted once again and destroyed.Multiple roads were blocked by groups of masked men, including the Westlink and the York Street interchange, bringing traffic to a standstill.Families were also forced out of their homes, with images emerging of children being rushed into the back of a police vehicle as they fled their home in terror.Communities in fearPeople across the country woke up on Wednesday to scenes of destruction.Some families with young children returned to their homes that had been completely burnt out to recover any belongings that were left.Later that day, a ‘hit list’ of Belfast addresses circulated on social media, with claims they were migrants’ homes.Some students were forced to flee the city after the Belfast Council list of HMOs was circulated.Riots have taken place in Belfast (PA/PA) The region saw a second night of violent disorder on Wednesday, after schools, shops and public transport shut down earlier in the day amid fears of further trouble.A large number of masked individuals gathered at Sandyknowes roundabout in Glengormley. Masonry, glass bottles and wood was thrown at police and bins were set alight.PSNI officers deployed water cannons to deter rioters.Elsewhere, petrol bombs were thrown in Portadown and more disorder was reported in Derry. The trouble subsided on Thursday, with a handful of smaller protests passing off peacefully.Friday night remained largely peaceful across the north, but serious disorder was reported in Newry.Members of the fire service were attacked while attending a fire in the Meadow Estate, while two vans were burnt out in a car park in the North Street area.A Glider bus was set on fire on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Widespread condemnationThe disorder this week has been met with widespread condemnation from political leaders, the PSNI, and the family of the man attacked on Monday night. The victim’s family, devastated by the knife attack in north Belfast, appealed for calm on the city’s streets.First Minister Michelle O’Neill denounced the disorder as “disgusting cowardice,” while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the riots as “shocking and unacceptable,” saying people had clearly been targeted because of their background.Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson briefs the press at PSNI HQ following a second night of disorder in Northern Ireland. PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN Police said the violence had been fuelled by online misinformation and by individuals “intent on causing harm,” warning that anyone involved in the disorder would face robust action.Victim updateThe condition of the Belfast stabbing victim was said to be “improving” on Thursday.Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye and suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back in the knife attack on Monday night.Demonstrators take part in a United Against Racism rally in Belfast (PA/PA) Rallies against racismThis weekend, rallies against racism are due to take place in Belfast and Derry. Both demonstrations are being organised by the local branches of United Against Racism.The rallies will be held on Saturday — outside Belfast City Hall at 1pm, and at Derry’s Guildhall Square at 2pm.
