The family of Stephen Ogilvie, the 43-year-old man who suffered severe injuries in a knife attack in Belfast, has issued an urgent plea for calm as unrest continues to grip parts of the city. Despite their appeal, rioting has persisted into a second night, with masked gangs setting vehicles, homes, and a bus ablaze.
Family's Appeal for Peace
Relatives of Mr. Ogilvie have called for an end to the violence, emphasizing that peaceful protest is the only acceptable response. Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows, who spoke with Mr. Ogilvie's father, conveyed the family's distress over false information spreading online, including incorrect reports that Mr. Ogilvie had died. Burrows stated: "The victim's father has asked me to pass on a direct appeal to those spreading disinformation online: please stop. This is causing immense additional distress to a family already going through an unimaginable ordeal."
Continued Violence on June 10
On the evening of June 10, riot police deployed water cannons against demonstrators who lit fires and threw projectiles at officers. Footage captured dozens of men dressed in black and wearing face coverings gathering on Antrim Road in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, hurling objects at a line of eight police vehicles. Two water cannons near the Sandyknowes roundabout were used to disperse crowds that had set fires in the street. Trafficwatch NI reported that the Sandyknowes roundabout was closed in all approaches due to the ongoing incident, and a vehicle had been torched.
The unrest follows the court appearance of Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese national, who was charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. The previous night, masked gangs set vehicles and properties ablaze across the city, with police rescuing a two-month-old baby during the terrifying street violence.
Statement from Stephen's Family
In a statement issued through local independent Councillor Stafford Ward, Stephen's family expressed devastation over the attack on Kinnaird Avenue. They thanked the local people who bravely intervened, stating: "Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him." The family also expressed gratitude to emergency services and medical staff. They made clear that overnight unrest is not welcome and that peaceful protest is the only way forward. The statement highlighted the valuable contributions of migrants to the country, including in healthcare and hospitality, and urged against using the tragedy to divide people or fuel hostility. The family requested privacy and appealed for anyone with information about the attack to contact the police.
