Stormont's Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has denied allegations that he went missing during the surge of anti-immigration violence in Northern Ireland, which followed a stabbing attack in Belfast. The accusations came from Sinn Féin MLA Cathy Mason, who criticized the minister for an "absence of leadership" during the unrest.
Background of the Violence
The violence erupted last week after a graphic video clip emerged of a man being stabbed in north Belfast. The victim, Stephen Ogilvie, in his 40s, lost his left eye and sustained deep wounds to his head, face, and back. He is now out of an induced coma, but his family fears he may lose the sight in his right eye. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese national, has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the incident. Alodid entered Northern Ireland from the Republic of Ireland in February 2023 and claimed asylum, receiving leave to remain until 2028.
The subsequent disorder saw masked mobs setting fire to homes, cars, and a bus, with people targeted based on their race. Foreign national healthcare workers also faced threats and intimidation. As of Monday, police in Northern Ireland had made 35 arrests and charged 23 individuals related to the disorder.
Housing Executive Response
During the committee hearing, it was revealed that 115 households had presented to Northern Ireland's Housing Executive citing civil unrest, with 76 presenting as homeless. The Housing Executive assessed that 38 of those households required temporary accommodation, and all have been moved to alternative dwellings.
Political Exchanges
Ms Mason challenged Mr. Lyons on his leadership during the unrest, stating: "What we saw from Monday night onwards was shocking, it was disgusting, and it was actually frightening. Families were forced from their homes because of downright racist thuggery. Children were left frightened. We know the children are still missing exams in schools at the minute because they’re afraid to go into their schools. Parents have been left wondering where they’re going to flee to, fearing for their lives. Now we know that Housing Executive staff stepped up, we know the community organisations stepped up, we know that local neighbours and residents stepped up, but there was one glaring absence – where were you?"
In response, Mr. Lyons accused Ms Mason of making a "political point" and defended his actions: "My position on these issues is absolutely clear. I said it in the Assembly, I was part of a joint Executive statement (of condemnation) last week. I shared other comments to the same effect last week myself. There was no justification for it whatsoever. It was wrong. It should not have happened. It is outrageous that people were treated in that way, and when it comes to violence and that sort of behaviour, I am crystal clear on where I stand on that, and I stood with other Executive colleagues on that as well."
The minister added that his department responded appropriately: "My job as a minister is to make sure that my department has what it needs in order to do its job. What we saw last week from the department, I believe, was an appropriate and right response."
Mr. Lyons also mentioned speaking to people from ethnic minorities and making himself available to visit families forced to flee: "I don’t think that you’ll be surprised, as we’ve heard from some people in the media that are affected as well, and it is they were fearful over what was happening or what comes next. I was speaking to someone who was travelling through one part of Northern Ireland to another, and they were scared simply because of the colour of their skin. That was an outrageous situation for us to find ourselves in at any stage, never mind in 2026 that someone should feel that way."
Ms Mason acknowledged the commendable work of the minister's staff and the Housing Executive but reiterated her criticism: "I do, however, believe that there was an absence of leadership from yourself in condemning this outright straight away, calling for this thuggery, this racist thuggery, to stop, for those that were out on the streets, causing people to flee from their homes – I do believe that you had a role in calling that out there and then, and condemning that there and then and asking for it to stop."
Mr. Lyons accused Ms Mason of making a "political point," to which she responded: "Minister, there’s nothing political about children fleeing their homes – that’s actually disgraceful, there’s nothing political about it." The minister concluded: "I think you’re using them (the fleeing children) to make a political point, that’s what you are doing, deputy chairperson. And I’m disappointed that on such a serious issue you haven’t refrained from the temptation to try and stick the boot in."
