Protesters in Belfast have set a bus on fire and thrown objects at police as disorder erupted following a knife attack in the city. Crowds gathered at multiple locations across the Northern Irish capital, where fires were ignited. A Glider bus was set ablaze on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast, and footage showed another vehicle burning in a different part of the city. Some individuals began hurling projectiles at police vans.
Background of the Protests
The unrest followed calls on social media for anti-immigration protests across Northern Ireland after a shocking attack on a man in north Belfast on Monday night. A Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident. The victim, a man in his 40s, sustained serious injuries to his eyes, back, and face after being slashed with a kitchen knife in a residential area near Antrim Road.
Police and Political Appeals for Calm
Police commanders and political leaders had urged calm amid fears that protests could turn violent. Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Jon Boutcher stated: "Where there are any concerns about immigration, let’s have those through a political debate. Let the criminal justice process take its course and let’s just remember that all of our communities in Northern Ireland almost entirely contribute positively to this place and don’t be fooled or duped into a trap by people online inciting awful behaviour." He warned that the "toxic" nature of online discourse risked "people doing things that they would not ordinarily do."
Details of the Knife Attack
The PSNI declared a "critical incident" in response to the attack, which was captured on video. The footage appears to show a man stabbing the victim's head and neck while he was lying on the ground. The clip also shows people, including one with a hurling stick, intervening to stop the attack. The incident occurred in the Kinnaird Avenue residential area near the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast. A young father named Maitiu Mág Tighearnán, known as Matt, has been hailed as a selfless hero who, along with two other members of the public, put himself in harm's way to save the victim.
Suspect's Immigration Status
The Sudanese suspect in the Belfast knife attack entered the UK across the Irish border after flying to Dublin from Paris and was granted leave to remain in 2023, according to police.
