Video footage has captured the moment an Express reporter was forced to flee from protests in Northern Ireland. Conor Wilson was reporting on the ground when he had to run for safety after interviewing a masked man in Belfast. The protests erupted following an alleged attempted beheading on Monday night, with vehicles and houses set alight.
Interview with Protester
During the interview, the protester described the fury on display as a Northern Ireland thing, claiming people were being misled by online misinformation. He told The Express that police had not provided enough answers about the incident. As the interview progressed, a vehicle suddenly appeared alongside them. An occupant asked: What's happening, lads? Conor replied: We're just having a chat. When asked what about, he said: Just what's been going on tonight, with the protest.
Decision to Leave
The reporter continued the conversation for a short while before deciding to leave for his own safety. In a subsequent clip, Conor said: So we're now making a pretty hasty retreat away from the Shankill Road. We were interviewing somebody, who had been at the protest, when a van pulled up, and something just didn't feel right. Anyway, he just kept circling back, and we realised pretty quickly that it was probably best that we leave. And we've sort of been followed, a little bit. We're now making our way away, at a decent pace.
In another video, Conor can be seen crouching in a bush after noticing that a van, which he believed to be the same one from earlier, had driven past him again.
Charges and Disorder
A 30-year-old Sudanese man is set to appear in court today, charged with attempted murder over the stabbing attack. He is also charged with possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill.
Last night was marked by disorder in Belfast. A Glider bus was set alight in East Belfast, leading to the suspension of all bus and train services. In Lendrick Street, several cars were set on fire, and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) officers had to evacuate residents from houses that caught fire. A number of houses and vehicles were also set on fire near the Ligoniel Road area, and a police car was set alight in Portadown.
Emergency Services Response
An NIFRS spokesperson described it as a busy evening, managing 256 calls between 7pm and midnight, resulting in attendance at 62 incidents. The majority were in the Greater Belfast Area, where an additional 21 fire appliances from across Northern Ireland were required to meet demand. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said officers worked alongside partner agencies to respond to incidents and keep people safe.
