The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Róis-Máire Donnelly, has revealed she received death threats amid violent disorder following a stabbing attack in the city. The Sinn Féin politician was installed as Belfast's first citizen at the start of June.
Ms Donnelly said police visited her on Tuesday night and advised her to take extra precautions regarding her personal security. She urged the people of Belfast to reject violence after rioting on Tuesday night, during which mobs set homes, a bus, and cars on fire, targeting individuals based on their race.
Statement from the Lord Mayor
In a statement, Ms Donnelly said: "I want to make it clear that these threats will not deter me from fulfilling my role as mayor of this great city. I will continue to represent everyone." She expressed full solidarity with the victim of the vicious attack in north Belfast on Monday evening and thanked the community heroes who intervened and saved the victim's life.
She added: "Belfast is home to many people who have come here from other countries and who have made this city their home, who have worked hard, who have looked after our friends and family in our hospitals in their time of need, who have opened businesses and created jobs, and who have become valued members of our community. We must stand with these people now in their time of need."
Ms Donnelly condemned those who took part in violent racist attacks and destruction, calling it "disgraceful and disgusting." She said: "Burning family homes, burning businesses, burning buses and cars, destroying all round them. Young children being evacuated from their home carrying their teddy bears. It is racism, it is intimidation and it is absolute thuggery. I call on those involved in this violence to stop, and stop now. You do not represent Belfast."
Court Appearance
On Wednesday, Hadi Alodid, 30, was remanded in custody after appearing in court in Belfast charged with attempted murder over Monday's knife attack. The victim, Stephen Ogilvie, lost an eye in the attack. Alodid also faces charges of threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.
Political Condemnation
The unrest has been widely condemned by politicians and authorities across the UK, with pleas for calm on Wednesday night. Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill described the threat against the Lord Mayor as "totally unacceptable."
Ms O'Neill, who is Stormont's First Minister, joined Ms Donnelly outside Belfast City Hall along with Sinn Féin MLA Deirdre Hargey. She said: "This is the mayor of Belfast, who represents all the people here, who's only been installed 10 days ago, and who wants to be inclusive and welcoming and reach out to everybody. But yet, she's in her first short week in office and she's been visited by the PSNI to say her life is under threat. That is not acceptable, and if anybody thinks that makes their community safer, it beggars belief to me."
