Belfast knife victim ‘stable’ as family say they are ‘disgusted’ by disorder

Main Points

• Unrest has begun in Belfast for a second night as a large crowd dressed in black have been seen throwing projectiles at police in riot gear at the Sandyknowes Roundabout in Newtownabbey
• Last night, hundreds took to the streets after a knife attack on Monday with homes and buses set on fire
• A 30-year-old man has been remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for four weeks after being charged with attempted murder
• The family of Stephen Ogilvie, the man injured in the knife attack, has called for calm in a statement that stressed the “deeply valuable contribution” migrants make
• The anti-immigration protest in Dublin has dissipated after a large crowd descended on Leinster House this afternoon

UK minister condemns disruption after depot break-in

UK infrastructure minister condemns disruption after a depot of her department was broken into.

A Department for Infrastructure depot was been broken into and a vehicle set alight near the Sandyknowes Roundabout.

“We are seeing another night of destruction and disruption, and this behaviour needs to be condemned in the strongest possible way.

“It is racism, it is intimidation and absolute thuggery,” Kimmins said.

She labelled the actions as “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,” she said.

Kneecap say people behind disruption are ‘motivated by racism’

The Northern Irish rap group Kneecap said they “stand in solidarity” with the people impacted by the “violence, intimidation, threats and forced displacement” in Belfast on Tuesday night.

The group said, in a statement on social media, that the people behind the disruption “do not care about their community and are motivated by racism”.

“We have more in common with each other than any racist or wealthy agitator ever will”.

Crowds tried setting property on fire - reports

Agitators have attempted to set fire to a property near a petrol station in Newtownabbey, with some throwing petrol bombs at police lines.

Some masked individuals ran towards the police line and threw petrol bombs towards officers and vehicles.

As the fire continued to burn, a white van was driven into the flames, and, according to onlookers, an empty cottage close to the police line had also caught fire.

The crowd began to move back as the fire spread closer to a nearby petrol station, with one masked riot saying: “that’s gonna blow.”

The driver of the van had reportedly jumped out and left the van in gear, and allowed the vehicle to roll onto the flames, as police officers tried to extinguish the fire. - The Guardian

Belfast victim ‘stable’ but family ‘disgusted’ by disorder

The sharing of false information on social media is “deeply distressing” and should stop, the family of Stephen Ogilvie, the victim of Monday night’s knife attack in Belfast, has said.

The message was relayed through police, and noted the family have been left “feeling disgusted” by the recent disorder.

His family said they were “completely devastated by the horrific attack” and that their “only priority” has been being at his bedside and helping him to recover.

​“We have witnessed a lot of false information circulating on social media which is now forcing us to clarify that our loved one is in fact in a stable condition,” they said.

​“We are also appealing to the media and the public to please give us some space. We need privacy to focus on our family right now, without cameras or people speculating about what happened via social media.“

“We have been left feeling disgusted by the scenes that unfolded yesterday across Northern Ireland in the wake of what happened.

“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.”

“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.

“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

​“We also wish to say a profound thank you to the local people who bravely stepped in during the attack. Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him in that moment.”

The family thanked the emergency and medical services and appealed for those with information to contact the police.

PSNI warns road users and members of the public to avoid the Antrim Road area.

In a statement, the police service said “as a number of missiles, including bricks, bottles and masonry, have been thrown at police”.

“A bin has also been set alight. The disorder comes following a protest in the area earlier this evening.

“Officers are in attendance to ensure the safety of everyone,” the statement read, urging anyone with information to contact the police.

Newtownabbey protests had tried to target reported migrant housing

Local sources have suggested that the mob had attempted to target a hotel, but it had already been closed off by police. One local told The Guardian that officers had tried to move residents earlier in the day, but some did not want to leave.

The Irish Times understands that the hotel had been the site of numerous protests over a number of months from 2025 to the start of this year. The protests were linked to migrants believed to be staying in the property.

Instead, violence spilled into a nearby residential street. Police and their vehicles were pelted with bricks, rocks and wheelie bins, in a standoff lasting several hours. A group of spectators gathered in a nearby park to watch, some filming the violence, with one rioter shouting: “Put your f**king phones away or you’re f**king next.” - Additional reporting, The Guardian

A large fire has been set in the middle of the Antrim Road, outside the reach of the water cannon. A pile of bricks has been amassed close by.

The PSNI convoy has moved forward and officers are now attempting to quell the fire.

Masked men setting fires, collecting projectiles

Troublemakers in Newtownabbey on the outskirts of Belfast have set bins on fire and are using a sledgehammer to smash up a resident’s front patio.

The PSNI convoy advancing up the Antrim Road has been showered with projectiles, including a brown bin and a traffic cone, by men dressed in all-black clothing, as seen in footage from a Sky News helicopter.

PSNI deploys second water cannon to Antrim Road disruption

A second water cannon has been deployed to the Antrim Road to relieve the one seen pushing back the agitators who were showering police with projectiles.

The gathered crowd had set fires on the road after being pushed back from the Sandyknowes roundabout, where traffic is now moving again.

Water cannon used as police clash with masked mob

Police clashing with agitators in Newtownabbey have deployed a water cannon “in an attempt to maintain public order”.

The crowd, which was pushed back by advancing police vehicles, had attempted to erect a makeshift barrier or roadblock across the Antrim Road using garden fencing and bins.

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has advised motorists to avoid the Sandyknowes roundabout area of Newtownabbey as a result of the disorder.

It said “missiles are being thrown at officers”.

Vehicle on fire near the Sandyknowes Roundabout as crowds gather

A large group of protesters dressed in black have been seen throwing projectiles at police in riot gear at the Sandyknowes Roundabout in Newtownabbey on the outskirts of Belfast.

Video from the Sky TV helicopter over Belfast shows what appears to be a road maintenance vehicle on fire at the Sandyknowes depot.

Men in black clothing have been seen hurling projectiles at passing cars and stopping vehicles attempting to traverse the roundabout.

Pieces of wooden fencing, rocks, bottles and flares are being thrown at riot police as they advance to clear the roundabout.

Belfast disruption ‘went far beyond’ right to protest - NI executive

The Northern Ireland Executive reiterated the right to protest but said the disruption seen in Belfast on Tuesday night “went far beyond” that right.

The devolved government body called for justice to “be allowed to run its course” and said “there are those intent on wreaking destruction on the very communities they claim they are trying to protect”.

“The eyes of the world are watching us this week and the actions we take, as individuals and as a society, will shape how we are viewed and how our communities move forward.”

The executive condemned the “disorder, violence and intimidation” that played out in the city, which it said had caused “significant harm” to communities and put innocent lives at risk.

“The incident in north Belfast on Monday was deeply shocking. While we understand the strength of feeling about what happened, it is now subject to legal proceedings, and justice must be allowed to run its course.”

UK regulator contacted X over Belfast ‘civil unrest incited online’

Social media platform X is among those to have been contacted by the UK’s communications regulator about online content potentially linked to scenes of violence in Belfast.

UK technology secretary Liz Kendall said on Wednesday she had explicitly asked communications regulator Ofcom to discuss with X and other platforms how they will comply with the Online Safety Act.

Ofcom said some of the disorder “appears 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 has contacted all major platforms “where we believe there are specific risks around the presence of illegal content relating to the civil unrest”.

Online service providers have duties under the UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 to “assess and mitigate the risks of illegal activity occurring on their sites and apps” – content which can include stirring up hatred or provoking violence.

The billionaire X owner Elon Musk shared lists on X of locations where protests could take place.

- Additional reporting, PA

PSNI: ‘Unacceptable’ posting of addresses ‘putting lives at risk’

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) warned social media users that it is aware some users are posting address details online in a “totally unacceptable” manner.

“We have received phone calls from a number of families, house owners, neighbours and members of the wider community who are extremely distressed as a result of this reckless activity,” the PSNI said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This is unacceptable. It is putting lives at risk and has to stop,” it said, warning that doing so may constitute a criminal office.

“Any person who publishes or distributes material which is threatening or abusive may also be committing an offence. We will be investigating any such posts which come to our attention.”

Politicians in Dublin defend Common Travel Area following NI criticism

Senior Government figures in Dublin have defended the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the Republic and the UK amid debate over the open border agreement, reports Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn.

Speaking in the House of Commons, DUP leader Gavin Robinson suggested the “open, porous border” between the Republic and Northern Ireland should be closed.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn told reporters at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) HQ in Belfast that he called Minister for Justice Helen McEntee on Tuesday night “to brief her on what had happened, given what we now know about how the suspect arrived in Northern Ireland”.

He continued: “Obviously there are questions for us – some of which have been asked today – and there will be questions too to the authorities in Ireland about what they know about the individual, because all of that may contribute to the investigation process that is rightly continuing, being led by the chief constable."

At a press conference on Ireland’s upcoming EU presidency in Dublin, McEntee confirmed that Irish authorities would “absolutely” co-operate if asked.

She said she spoke to Benn on Tuesday night “to convey my absolute horror at the vicious attack that took place on Monday night”.

“And obviously that’s the subject of investigation now, which we all welcome,” she said, noting that Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan was expected to speak to Benn on Wednesday.

McEntee said she was “obviously aware” of discussions about the CTA. “What I’d say is that this is something that we have enjoyed between both islands for many years, and it has contributed to both on an economic and a social perspective - growing prosperity.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin also defended the CTA.

“The key to UK-Irish relationships in terms of immigration is first of all engagement between the two governments,” he said, also touching on the importance of “comprehensive co-ordination between police forces, between the Garda Síochána and the PSNI in this instance”.

Martin also highlighted “the clear assertion of the principle that the Common Travel Area works for citizens in the United Kingdom and for Irish citizens as a benefit.

“Others may abuse the Common Travel Area,” he said, but added that “it’s primarily a framework for citizens”.

“There are issues both ways that we can only really address by proper engagement between the two governments and in particular between the home secretary and Minister for Justice.”

House fires during protests left 27 people homeless, UK minister says

Twenty-seven people have been made homeless “because people went door-to-door to try and target foreign nationals to burn them out of their homes”, a UK minister has told Britain’s House of Lords.

UK junior minister Ruth Anderson said

a two-month-old child is the “youngest victim” who has had to be moved from their home, labelling the vandalism as “simply unacceptable and will not be tolerated”.

“I don’t think any of us will ever be able to forget the image of a nine-year-old child and their family being put in the back of a Land Rover to be rescued from violent, racist thugs who were seeking to undermine them and to undermine their very sense of belonging in a country that many of them have lived in for decades,” she said. - PA

‘Too dangerous to leave,’ Belfast care workers were told as fires hit nearby homes

For four hours, Ugandan care workers Sumayah Nakazibwe and Stella Ariokot were barricaded into their house near Crumlin Road in north Belfast, smelling smoke leaking into their homes, and watching flames lick the walls of neighbouring properties.

“It all started like people were just marching, young boys between the age of nine and 20,” Nakazibwe said. “They were all putting on black, and masked.”

They watched from their window as the mob burned the tyres of a bus. “And then they collected the bins outside and then started also burning them,” she said. “And then we were like, maybe it will not escalate.”

But then the protesters turned on to their street, where Romanian and Nigerian families also live alongside British and Irish families.

“They started burning, petrol-bombing, the cars,” she said. “So when the smoke started, it was just coming direct to our houses. So we called the police, we called the fire brigade.”

There were so many fires being started across the city that it took the fire brigade about 30 minutes to arrive.

“It was so, so, so terrifying,” Nakazibwe said, as they watched the flames take hold of nearby houses. Emergency services told them it was too dangerous for them to attempt to leave, but suggested to them that they put on their care worker uniforms in case it may help to placate any rioters who broke into the house.

At one point, Nakazibwe collapsed from fear.

It was only when a church pastor came down to the scene and was able to speak to the men that it was safe enough for them to be evacuated from their property. – Guardian

‘Under no circumstances’ should Scots protest again on Wednesday, first minister says

Further protests following the Belfast stabbing would be “ill-advised”, Scottish first minister John Swinney has said.

He said “under no circumstances” should Scots take to the streets for a second night, after clashes between police and protesters in Glasgow on Tuesday.

Two police officers and three people were injured in Scotland’s biggest city, with police saying members of the public had been “attacked because of the colour of their skin”.

Glasgow Central Mosque was forced to lock worshippers inside in response to a protest, which marched down Buchanan Street and is believed to have been aiming to reach the mosque.

Three men, two aged 18 and another aged 31, were arrested and Swinney suggested more arrests could follow. – PA

Protests end in Dublin, public transport resumes

The anti-immigration protest in Dublin has dissipated after a large crowd descended on Leinster House this afternoon.

A heavy Garda presence was in place at the Dáil, where surrounding areas had been cordoned off in advance of their arrival.

Those leaving Leinster House, alongside gardaí policing the protest, were labelled “traitors” and a “disgrace” by those gathered on Molesworth Street, though the protest largely went without incident until protesters dispersed, Jack White reports.

Dublin Bus services have resumed without disruption following the end of the protest which had started on O’Connell Street. Northbound services on Dublin’s main street had been diverted earlier in the day.

‘Disorder on our streets helps no one’, Belfast council says

Belfast city council has said disorder in the city ‘helps no one’ in a statement following the disruption on Tuesday night.

“Belfast stands against violence, racism and hate. There is no place in Belfast for these, and our council stands in solidarity with all those affected by them.”

The council said the incident on Monday night and the “disorder” that followed “do not represent our city”.

“Belfast is a safe place – one of the safest cities in the UK. Our city has been through tough times before, but we have come together to build a better future – one which we all want to protect.”

The council said they, and businesses in the city, are facing “challenging decisions” in balancing the duty to protect staff and to ensure that “vital services” continue to operate.

Translink bus and rail services have been suspended today after one of its Glider buses was set on fire on Tuesday.

“But we want to be clear – disorder on our streets helps no one. It damages individual lives, local communities and businesses, our city and our wider reputation,” the council said.

“We all call Belfast our home, and we urge everyone to show the best of our city by uniting behind, and sharing, this message.”

‘Inaccurate images’ of attack victim being used to fuel fear and hatred, PSNI warns

Inaccurate images of the attack victim are circulating on social media and are being used to “arouse fear and hatred”, Northern Irish police has said.

The PSNI said that while the victim’s family have “called for privacy”, they are “aware of inaccurate images circulating claiming to be the victim after the attack”.

These images, the PSNI said, are “not related to anyone involved in the attempted murder”.

“We believe these images are being used to arouse fear and hatred,” a spokesman said. “We would reiterate that members of the public should not share footage of the attack.”

Northern Ireland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People Chris Quinn said events in Belfast were “profoundly damaging” to children.

“The State has clear obligations to ensure children are protected from harm, fear, and discrimination, and are able to grow up in secure, supportive environments. Indeed, we all should be doing what we can to protect children and families in this situation,” he said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

“I am especially concerned about the impact this is having on children and families who are already vulnerable. No child should feel unsafe in their home or community, or fear because of who they are, where they come from, or how they are perceived.”

Quinn said those orchestrating the violence were not operating with the best interests of Monday night’s victim in mind. He called for clear, responsible leadership.

“Racism and violence must be called out wherever it occurs, and it must end.”

The majority of people on the streets of Belfast on Tuesday following the previous night’s stabbing in the city were “not extremists”, Nigel Farage has said, as he condemned the violence which took place during the unrest.

PA has reported that, while speaking at a press conference in Makerfield, the Reform UK leader said: “I will, while I’m here, say some words about the barbarity that we saw on the streets of Belfast the other evening.”

He added: “It feels like Henry Nowak was just a few days ago, and yet we’ve moved on now to a new story.

“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this man should not have been in this country. It is just as simple as that. He entered the country illegally. And is it any surprise that people in Belfast and elsewhere are scared?”

“None of that justifies what was perpetrated by some bad actors last night. There’s no doubt about that, there were some very, very bad actors doing bad things.

“But the vast majority of those people who were out on the streets in Belfast last night were not far right, were not extremists, just really scared about what’s going on in their communities, and about the lack of Government action. There’s none.”

Starmer vows to crack down on ‘anyone fuelling division’

British prime minister Keir Starmer has vowed to “crack down on anyone who is fuelling this division” amid criticism of Elon Musk and social media’s role in the night of violence in Belfast.

The billionaire X owner, who continued overnight 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.

Starmer on Wednesday said: “There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere.”

Events cancelled or postponed

A protest due to take place outside Leinster House at 5pm today in solidarity with survivors of gender-based and sexual violence has been cancelled due to the ongoing migration protest.

Separately, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland closed early in Belfast again today in light of concerns about ongoing disorder.

“In light of recent events and the possible disruption to public transport this afternoon, the General Assembly adjourned until tomorrow morning at 10am,” a statement said.

Two men appear in court in connection to riots

Two men have appeared in court in Belfast and been remanded in custody accused of taking part in riots, Paul Higgins reports.

The first to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court was 39-year-old Andrew Kane, with an address at Carwood Avenue in Newtownabbey. He was accused of rioting at Cloughfern Corners last night.

Giving evidence to the court, a police officer said he believed he could connect Kane to the charge. He confirmed to District Judge Steven Keown that Kane was the first alleged rioter to appear in court in relation to recent disorder.

Following the formal connection, a prosecuting lawyer said the offence was being dealt with as a “racist hate crime” which was aggravated by hostility.

Defence solicitor Hamill Clawson said there was no bail application today, and suggested the case be adjourned to next week so that an appropriate address can be obtained.

Remanding Kane in custody, Judge Keown adjourned the case to June 16th and ordered that Kane would appear by video link from prison.

A short time later, 42-year-old Dwayne Thomas Andrew Burton, from Clara Street, was called into the dock.

He was charged with rioting on the Newtownards Road, attempting to damage a police Land Rover and assaulting a civilian detention officer.

Burton’s solicitor did apply for bail but having connected the defendant to the charge, a constable told the court there were objections due to concerns about further offending and ongoing disorder.

She outlined that at around 7pm on Tuesday “widespread violence and destruction” began in the east of the city with homes and public property damaged.

“Crowds of mostly masked men took to the streets and began blocking roads,” the constable said.

Burton had not covered his face and he was seen “actively being involved” in rioting on the Lower Newtownards Road, she said.

“The defendant was observed lifting a shopping trolley and throwing it at a police Land Rover,” the court heard.

The officer outlined how Burton “was also then seen in the middle of the road with his hands up, inciting the crowd to engage in the riot”..

She added that having climbed down, Burton was punching the window and trying to open the passenger door before he was arrested.

Despite submissions from Burton’s solicitor that bail could be granted with “a plethora of conditions”, Judge Keown disagreed.

Burton was remanded in custody and the case adjourned to July 8th.

UN human rights chief says anti-migrant violence in Belfast is ‘shocking’

The UN human rights chief has described the anti-immigrant violence rocking Belfast, and recent clashes with police in Southampton, as “shocking”, criticising “incitement” on social media and elsewhere, AFP reports.

Volker Türk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, told reporters in Geneva: “Dehumanisation of whole groups within a society is totally unacceptable and is frankly despicable.

“The violence that comes out as a result in ... both Northern Ireland and in Southampton were really shocking.”

Türk said social media providers must “take the responsibility seriously that dehumanisation, hate speech, violence and incitement to violence is unacceptable”.

He added: “We cannot tolerate this in today’s world ... The polarisation that we see is shocking.” - The Guardian

Businesses condemn violence in Belfast

Several business groups in Northern Ireland have condemned the violence in Belfast last night.

In a joint statement, 19 organisations said: “There can be no justification for attacks on people, property or communities. Such actions undermine the values of respect, inclusion and mutual understanding that are essential to a peaceful and prosperous society.

“Northern Ireland’s economy and public services depend on people from many backgrounds who have chosen to live and work here. Migrant workers make a vital contribution across every sector of our economy, including health and social care, hospitality, manufacturing, construction, agri-food, retail and professional services. Their skills, commitment and entrepreneurship help sustain businesses, strengthen public services and enrich our communities...

“As representatives of the business community, we believe our future prosperity depends on creating a society that is open, inclusive and welcoming to all. We reject attempts to sow division and fear, and we stand with all those who are working to promote respect, safety and community cohesion.

“We urge everyone to reject violence, support the rule of law and work together to ensure Northern Ireland remains a place where all people are treated with dignity and respect.”

The statement was co-signed by the Employers Federation Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, Construction Employers Federation and Ulster Farmers Union among others.

Belfast riots ‘straight from the far-right playbook’, Dáil told

The horrific violence wreaked in the North since the stabbing attack on a man in North Belfast is “straight from the far-right playbook”, Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger told the Dáil, Marie O’Halloran reports.

She said they use a horrific tragedy or incident, “when it’s a person of colour who’s a suspect in a violent assault” to “implement their pre-cooked plan of racist and chaotic destruction”.

“People are being stopped and questioned about their skin colour, about their nationality, about their race. Homes have been destroyed, businesses.”

She said families who have been in the North for decades “have been burnt out or attacked in their homes, businesses set alight”.

The Dublin West TD hit out at “outside actors” including Reform leader Nigel Farage and X owner Elon Musk who were “actively whipping up violence as well. And there’s been also an element of handwringing from some politicians in the North who’ve been involved in stirring up racism themselves in the past.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin replied that the racism on display and “the burning out of families because of their ethnicity” is very dangerous.

He said it puts Northern Ireland “in a very difficult and challenging spotlight in terms of where the north goes into the future” societally, with “some areas potentially becoming no go areas, because of the colour of your skin or because of your ethnicity, despite the fact that you might have been living in an area for quite some time”.

It was also “making life very, very difficult for many families” and it would demand “a significant community response and a response from social services”.

He said “we have to be extremely vigilant in dealing with this” because of “far-right elements in particular”.

Angry scenes outside Leinster House

Protesters have now arrived outside Leinster House, Jack White reports:

“There’s a heavy Garda presence here, including the public order unit.

“Some [protesters] approached gardaí policing the protest as they marched near Dawson Street, labelling them a ‘disgrace’.”

A large area outside Leinster House is cordoned off and a number of protesters knocked down some of the barricades on arrival.

DUP leader says Irish Border should be closed

Gavin Robinson, the DUP leader, said the knife attack in Belfast on Monday night was “medieval” and suggested the “open, porous Border” between the Republic and Northern Ireland should be closed.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Robinson condemned the disorder in Belfast last night but said people were right to be concerned about the asylum system, noting the accused had passed thorough two safe countries before arriving in Belfast.

“The North Belfast attack on Monday was medieval, it was sadistic and it’s sadly been viewed by millions in this country.

“As reprehensible as it was, the outrageous violence, intimidation and community damage carried out last night in my constituency, and in other parts of Northern Ireland, require the strongest condemnation.”

The MP for Belfast East asked if British prime minister Keir Starmer would meet him to discuss how to ensure the rule of law is sustained, and that he protects and closes “the open, porous Border between our country and the Irish Republic”.

Starmer thanked Robinson and all leaders who have urged calm, adding he is happy to meet him.

“We are all sickened by this attack, but the scenes of violence and disorder have no justification,” Starmer said. - The Guardian

Protesters march to Leinster House

A large crowd has gathered at the GPO on Dublin’s O’Connell Street, protesting the EU migration and asylum pact which is due to come into effect on Friday.

They are currently marching to Leinster House, Jack White reports.

Immigration debate risks ‘destabilising’ UK, says watchdog

The immigration debate risks “destabilising” the UK, the British Government’s terror laws watchdog warned, as he questioned whether the wave of unrest it is prompting should be considered a threat to national security.

Jonathan Hall, the UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said the riots had “huge ramifications” in Belfast.

The violence in the North follows recent conflict in Southampton and Southport in England which was fuelled by anger over migration.

Hall told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme: “I’m interested in the question of whether or not foreign nationality, particularly recent migrants, is becoming more relevant to the overall national security picture.

“Although it doesn’t appear this attack was a national security attack, it has had huge ramifications in Belfast, not least for people who happen to be black and brown, who it appears have been driven out of their houses.

“It’s extraordinarily destabilising.” - PA

Targeting of ethnic minorities is ‘sickening’, says minister

In Westminster, security minister Dan Jarvis said: “Reports that ethnic minorities were targeted are sickening.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the rioting in Belfast was “shocking and completely unacceptable”.

“It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it,” he said.

“Those responsible will feel the full force of the law.”

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said 200 more officers would be on the streets on Wednesday night.

“We will deal with this,” he said.

“We will be on the streets tonight in numbers even more than we were last night, and we have got arrangements in hand to get mutual aid that will be arriving here tomorrow.”

Jarvis told MPs there had been three arrests “but more will surely follow”. - PA

Lord Mayor of Belfast receives death threats

Róis-Máire Donnelly, the Sinn Féin lord mayor of Belfast, says she received death threats amid the disorder in the city last night.

In a statement she said the PSNI visited her at home and “informed me that threats had been made against my life and advised me to take extra precautions regarding my personal security”.

“I want to make it clear that these threats will not deter me from fulfilling my role as mayor of this great city,” she added.

The threats were raised by party leader Mary Lou McDonald in the Dáil earlier and condemned by the Taoiseach.

Bus and train services to be suspended this evening

Bus and train services in Northern Ireland are due to be suspended on Wednesday evening amid fears of further violence.

A statement from Translink, which runs public transport in the North, said: “There will be no bus departures after 5pm and no train services will depart after 6pm.”

Translink said it was “working closely with a range of stakeholders, including the PSNI, our Trade Unions, and other key partners to make appropriate arrangements to keep our passengers, staff and the wider public safe”.

“Passengers are advised that services may be subject to alteration or cancellation. Where possible, passengers should travel earlier in the day and allow extra time for their journeys,” the statement said.

“Suspending services is always a last resort, but the safety of our customers and staff remains our top priority. We want to give people as much advance notice as possible so they can plan accordingly.”

Services are expected to resume tomorrow morning.

Family of victim ‘don’t want terrible tragedy used to divide people or fuel hostility’

The family of Stephen Ogilvie, the man injured in the knife attack on Monday, have called for calm in a statement that stressed the “deeply valuable contribution” migrants make.

In a statement issued via Phillip Brett, a DUP member of the legislative assembly, the family said they “are completely devastated by the horrific attack on our loved one on Kinnaird Avenue”.

“This has been a massive shock to our whole family, and right now, our only priority is being at his bedside and helping him recover.

“​We want to say a profound thank you to the local people who bravely stepped in during the attack. 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.

“​We are aware of the tensions and talk of protests following this incident. We want to make it absolutely clear that overnight unrest is not welcome, and 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 family asked for privacy and encouraged anyone with information to contact the PSNI.

Violence condemned in the Dáil

The Taoiseach and opposition leaders have condemned the violence in the North following the “savage, horrific” knife attack in North Belfast, Marie O’Halloran reports.

Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald condemned the violence as the Sinn Féin leader also highlighted a threat on the life of Belfast Lord Mayor Róis-Máire Donnelly who would “not bow to these threats”.

The Taoiseach said such threats were “appalling” and must be “condemned”. He said these kinds of threats were an increasing phenomenon and “unfortunately, both the Gardaí and the PSNI are pursuing too many cases where threats are made to the lives of politicians in this house in the Northern Assembly”.

The Sinn Féin leader said “last night groups of masked men burned families out of their homes, targeted and attacked innocent people, terrified and endangered small children. We witnessed racist intimidation and violence orchestrated by loyalist and far-right thugs, people hell-bent on whipping up hatred for their own ends.”

McDonald said “many of those leading this violence are the same people who will burn tricolors on the top of bonfires on the 12th of July. What occurred last night echoes back to the pogroms on Bombay Street in 1969 when families and children were burnt out of their homes by loyalist mobs. Why? Because they were Catholic. Why? Because they were Irish.”

The Taoiseach said “what we witnessed last evening is absolutely appalling, that families would be burned out of their homes because of race or ethnic reasons.”

He insisted “no one has the right to say to someone ‘you’re not living here anymore’”.

Suspect entered Northern Ireland via Dublin

The PSNI has said Alodid entered Northern Ireland across the Irish Border in February 2023, having flown to Dublin from Paris.

He claimed asylum upon arrival and in September 2023 was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn told reporters at the PSNI HQ in Belfast today that he called Justice Minister Helen McEntee last night “because I was keen to brief her on what had happened, given what we now know about how the suspect arrived in Northern Ireland”.

He continued: “Obviously there are questions for us – some of which have been asked today – and there will be questions too to the authorities in Ireland about what they know about the individual, because all of that may contribute to the investigation process that is rightly continuing, being led by the chief constable."

The Irish Times has contacted the Department of Justice for comment.

Victim has lost his left eye

At the court hearing earlier today, Alodid was also charged with threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.

He refused legal representation and made no reply to charges which were put to him via an Arabic interpreter.

A PSNI detective told the court Stephen Ogilvie has lost his left eye and has deep cuts to his head, face and back.

She also told the court the defendant said “I’ve killed someone, I don’t know if they are dead” while in hospital receiving treatment for a hand injury. He also told medical staff “I will kill you”, the court heard.

Emergency Stormont meeting to be held

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill has told reporters there will be an emergency online meeting of the Stormont Executive later today to discuss the situation.

Politicians condemn violence as suspect remanded in custody

Politicians have condemned the violence that broke out in Belfast following a knife attack in the city.

People were forced to flee their homes and multiple cars and homes were set alight in the disorder on Tuesday that followed Monday’s knife attack in the north of the city.

A 30-year-old man was on Wednesday remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrates’ Court for four weeks after being charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie.

Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese national, was also charged with possession of an article with a blade in a public place and making threats to kill.