The victim of Monday's horrific knife attack on Kinnaird Avenue in Belfast has been named locally as Stephen Ogilvie. A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder as large anti-immigration protests erupt across the city.
Victim Identified
According to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the victim, who is in his 40s, remained in a serious condition in hospital on Tuesday, receiving treatment for severe injuries to his eye, face and back. The attack occurred on Monday night in the residential area of Kinnaird Avenue, close to the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast.
Details of the Attack
Disturbing footage of the stabbing was widely circulated online, showing members of the public, including one wielding a hurling stick, intervening to stop the assault. A kitchen knife was recovered at the scene. The suspect, a Sudanese national, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and making threats to kill. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Immigration Status
Police disclosed that the suspect entered Northern Ireland via the Irish border in February 2023, having flown into Dublin from Paris. He claimed asylum upon arrival and was granted leave to remain in the UK until September 2028. Detectives have confirmed the attack is not terror-related.
Protests Erupt
The attack has sparked large-scale anti-immigration protests across Belfast, with vehicles and properties set on fire. Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill condemned the unrest, stating that "groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice." Senior police and political leaders have urged restraint amid fears of further violence.
