The victim of Monday's brutal knife assault in a Belfast street has been locally identified as Stephen Ogilvie. According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the victim, in his 40s, remained in a serious condition in hospital on Tuesday, receiving treatment for severe injuries to his eye, face and back.
Suspect Charged with Attempted Murder
A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after the victim sustained significant injuries to his face, neck and back on Monday evening. The attack occurred on Kinnaird Avenue in the city's north. Graphic footage of the stabbing was widely circulated online, showing individuals, including one armed with a hurling stick, intervening to halt the assault. A kitchen knife was recovered from the scene.
Protests and Arson
Large-scale protests erupted across the city, with vehicles and properties set on fire on Lendrick Street, close to the Newtownards Road. Police chiefs and political leaders had called for calm amid fears that planned anti-immigration demonstrations could escalate into violence. The suspect is a Sudanese national who entered Northern Ireland via the Irish border in February 2023 after flying to Dublin from Paris. He sought asylum and was granted permission to stay in the UK until 2028. Detectives have stated there is no suggestion the attack was terror-related.
Legal Proceedings
The 30-year-old defendant is also charged with possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill condemned the action on social media, stating that 'groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice.'
