A 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder following a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night. The victim, a man in his 40s, remains in a serious condition in hospital, receiving treatment for severe injuries to his eye, face, and back.
Charges Filed
The suspect, who is of Sudanese origin, also faces charges of possession of a bladed or pointed article in a public place and making threats to kill. He is scheduled to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, June 10.
Police recovered a kitchen knife from the scene of the attack, which occurred on Kinnaird Avenue near the Antrim Road in north Belfast.
Community Response
The attack has been widely condemned, with police chiefs and political leaders calling for calm. Fears have arisen that anti-immigration protests planned in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening could escalate into violence.
Detectives have stated there is no evidence to suggest the attack was terror-related. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has initiated a "critical incident" in response.
Heroic Intervention
Video footage of the attack shows a man stabbing at the victim's head and neck while he was lying on the ground. Bystanders, including one wielding a hurling stick, intervened to stop the attacker. The hurling stick "hero" has been identified as Maitiu Mág Tighearnán, whose life-saving efforts have inspired a GoFundMe page that has raised over £1,600 to "buy him a pint."
