Second night of unrest after Belfast knife attack | BBC News

Now to Northern Ireland, where crowds gathered for a second night of protests in parts of Belfast.The demonstrations come after a man in northern Belfast, 44 -year -old Stephen Ogilvie, was attacked with a knife by a Sudanese immigrant, where he lost his left eye.The suspect has since been charged with attempted murder.Our Ireland correspondent, Chris Page, has more from Belfast.And a warning, his report contains some distressing images.

This is usually one of the busiest junctions on a main route out of Belfast.But tonight, Sandy Noo's roundabout was the latest front line for the police.They were faced with at least 200 people.Officers were attacked with bricks and rioters burned this vehicle.Police used water cannon to try to drive away the crowd.Yesterday, there were hours of flames, destruction and intimidation, much of it directed at migrants.

In the north and east of the city, several homes were set alight and some families were led to safety by the emergency services.This morning, blackened shells of houses told the story of a terrifying night.

Last night was an act of self -harm by the people involved against the incredible communities in Northern Ireland.This has got to stop.We cannot have a society that allows this to happen.We have to make a stand.So please, no more.

The trouble broke out 24 hours after the stabbing in North Belfast.A video circulated online showed some people confronting the alleged attacker before police arrived.The victim, Stephen Ogilvie, lost an eye and suffered other injuries to his neck and back.The Prime Minister has condemned the rioting and the knife attack.

I want to thank the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other first responders and members of the public who responded with such bravery.And our thoughts are with the victim.But let me be clear, Mr Speaker,the acts of violence and arson that followed are totally unjustified.

In a statement, the family of Stephen Ogilvie said they wanted to profoundly thank the local people who bravely stepped in during the attack.They said your quick actions absolutely saved his life and we will never forget what you did for him in that moment.They went on, we do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility.This morning, a Sudanese man appeared before Belfast Magistrate's Court charged over the stabbing.30 -year -old Hadi Aladid is accused of attempted murder.He's also charged with threatening to kill an NHS radiographer in a hospital.

The suspect was remanded into custody.Meanwhile, concerns about further street protests and violence led to this.Rush hour has come early in Belfast today.It's only lunchtime now but the roads are noticeably full of people heading home because schools, businesses and other workplaces have closed early.public transport stopped too.The city centre was eerily empty by two o 'clock, with shop windows shuttered and people reflecting on the last two days.

There's a terrible hush over the whole city.It is very depressing.It is very sad.What happened to that poor man was absolutely disgusting.But what's going on now, there's absolutely no need for it whatsoever.

Reminds me of the bad old days, you know, in a sense.The conflict in Northern Ireland?Well, yeah, just these sort of things happened back then.shops closed early, people were going home early.

The trouble tonight isn't as widespread or large -scale as 24 hours ago, but these scenes are still deeply worrying for police, politicians and many communities.Chris Page, BBC News, Belfast.

For more, we can speak with Greg McKenzie from our London newsroom.Greg, we heard there the authorities condemning the acts of those protesting, but it's clear to see that immigration very much a hot -button issue, not just in Belfast.

Well, absolutely.Now, immigration has become an increasingly contentious issue, both online and in communities across the UK.And you've seen how quickly information can be spread.And more importantly, how misinformation can be spread online, which will be attributed to the protests we have seen in Northern Ireland over the last week.two days.Now in the case that followed on Monday and this unrest and that knife attack in Belfast, police would later release details of the 30 -year -old suspect Hadi Ledi, who's originally from Sudan, who was since appeared in court charged with attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie, who suffered life -changing injuries, as you heard in that report there.

Now his family have come out and have issued another statement tonight asking for calm.They've simply said that they were releasing another statement because they said they've been forced to put out another statement after witnessing a lot of false information that's been put out on social media.They've also appealed for peaceful protest as the only way forward and said that there were many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution contribution to our society.Now in terms of political leaders and the police, they have been keen to stress that criminal investigation is underway, a criminal investigation is underway, and the wider debate around immigration are two separate issues.

And they will continue as well I'm sure.Greg, thanks very much for getting us across those details.Greg McKenzie in our London newsroom.