The father of Stephen Ogilvie, the man severely injured in a knife attack in Belfast, has made a heartfelt plea for an end to the spread of disinformation online. Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye and sustained other serious injuries during the incident on June 8.
Father's Appeal
Hadi Alodid, 30, of Duncairn Avenue in Belfast, appeared before the city’s magistrates’ court on Wednesday, charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie, threatening to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows spoke to the victim's father on the morning of June 10 and relayed his urgent message.
“I want to thank Mr Ogilvie for taking the time to speak with me at such a distressing time for his family,” Burrows said. “His son remains in the ICU following the devastating injuries he sustained, but is stable. The injuries inflicted upon him are truly shocking, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his entire family.”
“The victim's father has also asked me to pass on a direct appeal to those spreading disinformation online: please stop. This has shockingly included false posts on social media at various times that his son has died. This is causing immense additional distress to a family already going through an unimaginable ordeal. I echo that appeal wholeheartedly and urge everyone to act with decency and respect for this family.”
Unrest and Political Response
Scenes of violence and disorder erupted across Belfast and other towns in Northern Ireland on Tuesday night following the incident in North Belfast. Burrows added that he will meet with the Secretary of State to discuss issues related to the case, including immigration, border security, and the protection of citizens, while standing firmly on the side of law and order. He also appealed for parents to ensure their children are not involved in the disorder.
In an earlier statement issued through Independent Councillor Stafford Ward, the Ogilvie family made it clear that “overnight unrest is not welcome” and praised local people who stepped in to assist the victim. They called for the public and media to respect their privacy, emphasizing that peaceful protest is the only way forward. The family acknowledged the valuable contribution of migrants to the country and urged that this tragedy not be used to divide people or fuel hostility.
