Sudanese refugee tried to behead a local resident in the middle of Belfast. Riots erupted in Northern Ireland
Several people rescued their neighbor using a stick for a traditional Celtic ball game. The 40-year-old victim lost his left eye.
Screenshot of the attack video. Source: social media
The attack occurred around 10:30 PM on June 8 on Kinnaird Avenue in North Belfast — a quiet residential street with three and four-story houses. The attacker is a refugee from Sudan, the victim is a local resident.
A video widely circulated on social media shows a dark-skinned man sitting on a person lying on his back in the middle of the street. The attacker holds a knife. Traces of blood are visible on the victim. Some eyewitnesses later claimed that the attacker was trying to behead the victim.
Reportedly, several people tried to help the victim. A local resident, Maitiu Mag Tighearnan, managed to neutralize the assailant using a hurling stick — a traditional Celtic ball game.
Maitiu Mag Tighearnan and another person confront the attacker. Photo: social media / The Guardian
According to the police, officers arrived at the scene a few minutes after receiving the call. They arrested the suspect and began providing first aid to the victim. Ambulance crews soon arrived at the scene.
The 40-year-old victim was taken to the hospital with severe eye injuries, as well as stab wounds to the face and back.
Police reported that an object believed by investigators to be a kitchen knife was found at the scene.
Northern Ireland police later charged a 30-year-old Sudanese national with attempted murder. According to the UK Home Office, the man was granted refugee status in 2023 and is entitled to remain in the country until 2028.
As reported by the BBC, Northern Ireland Police Chief John Butcher stated that the suspect first traveled from Sudan to Paris, then flew to Dublin, and then took a bus to Belfast on February 10, 2023 — the day he applied for asylum.
According to Butcher, the suspect's name did not appear in any national security threat databases, and he was not known to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
The police chief urged the public not to impede the investigation and not to be influenced by information circulating on social media.
However, anti-immigration protests began in Belfast the day after the attack. They were prompted by the attack itself and the shocking footage of the assault, which spread widely online.
The protests quickly escalated into riots. Participants set fire to cars and buildings. Public transport in the city was temporarily halted.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service reported that most incidents occurred in the Greater Belfast area. An additional 21 fire engines from various parts of Northern Ireland had to be deployed to deal with the aftermath.
Amid the tense situation, police announced an increased presence on the city's streets in the coming days.
During the first court hearing on June 10, the prosecutor reported that the victim, Stephen Ogilvie, lost his left eye. 30-year-old Hadi Alodid was charged with attempted murder, unlawful possession of a knife, and making threats to kill. During the hearing, he refused legal aid and did not respond to the charges against him.
Meanwhile, the story of Maitiu Mag Tighearnan, who helped stop the attacker, received widespread attention online. Users organized a fundraiser "for a pint of beer" for the man. In a short time, nearly 700 donations totaling over £5,800 were made.
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