Fiery protests erupt in Belfast as demonstrators torch homes, cars & buses after man charged over ‘attempted beheading’
FIERY protests erupted in Belfast last night with homes and cars being torched after the horror “attempted beheading” that rocked the nation.
Furious demonstrators set alight at least three houses and several vehicles including cars and a bus, following outrage over the attack, in which a man in his 40s suffered injuries to his eyes, neck and back.
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Yobs in balaclavas torched cars parked on residential streets and driveways in the Northern Irish capital, with at least three houses catching fire as a result.
Fire engines rushed to east Belfast, where residents were evacuated from the area while crews tackled the flames.
Earlier in the evening, a Glider bus was set alight in the east of the city, forcing operator Translink to suspend its services until further notice.
Many of the protesters wore masks and dark tracksuits with their hoods up while several were seen throwing red coloured smoke flares.
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Posting a photo of the burnt-out vehicle, Peter McReynolds, a Member of Northern Ireland’s Legislative Assembly who represents the Alliance party, said: “This serves no one, changes nothing and damages our community.”
Catch up on the latest…
- Man, 30, charged with attempted murder after Belfast “beheading attack”
- Cops detained a Sudanese asylum seeker in his 30s, who is understood to have entered Belfast from Dublin
- Harrowing footage appears to show a knifeman slashing the victim’s neck
- Young dad Maitiu Mág Tighearnán, known as Matt, confronted the attacker, grabbing a wooden hurley stick, used in the Irish sport of hurling, he swung at the man
- Protests erupt in Belfast as homes, buses and bins torched
- Grinning Sudanese ‘knifeman licked his lips with victim’s blood’
- Man, 44, left with significant eye injuries is pictured
Elsewhere in the city, cars and a tractor were engulfed by flames as officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) set up barricades and organised fleets of riot vans.
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Thugs, including kids as young as ten, were seen hurling glass bottles and stones at cops.
Following the violence, Deliveroo paused food deliveries in some areas of the city.
The PSNI issued a Police Dispersal Order and warned protesters that force may be used.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “Sporadic pockets of disorder have broken out in a number of locations across Northern Ireland, including incidents in which a number of vehicles have been set on fire.
“We are urging everyone to remain calm, act responsibly, and avoid any activity that could place themselves or others at risk.
“Officers are on the ground, working alongside partner agencies, responding to incidents as they arise and helping to keep people safe.
“We are again appealing for calm and ask all voices of influence within local communities to encourage peaceful protest and discourage any involvement in violence or disorder.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill took to X to share her horror at the violence that has taken place in reaction to the attack.
“Groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice.
“This has nothing to do with community. This is outright thuggery. The attack in North Belfast was heinous and wrong.
“But there are dangerous attempts to exploit that to target and attack innocent people who are simply trying to live, work and raise their families here.
“Racism, intimidation and violence are wrong wherever they occur. There can be no excuse and no justification for these attacks tonight. No one wants to see this on our streets and I again appeal for calm.”
Prior to the violence, she urged the public not to associate the actions of one individual with wider minority ethnic communities.
Ms O’Neil said: “We need to say no to racism, no to hatred, no to sectarianism that is out there in our society.”
Meanwhile in London, protesters gathered in Parliament Square carrying union jack flags and obstructing the roads.
Harrowing footage of the incident was widely shared online and appears to show a knifeman slashing the victim’s neck and face with a blade as onlookers yell “get off”.
One hero bystander, a young dad named Maitiu Mág Tighearnán, stepped in with a hurling stick to confront the attacker.
The shocking attack sparked fears of unrest across Northern Ireland, with demonstrations planned in a number of areas.
Police have confirmed the suspect is 30-years-old and has been charged with attempted murder, possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and threats to kill.
Cops have not yet named the man they have charged who is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court later today.
It comes after cops detained a Sudanese asylum seeker who is believed to have travelled from Sudan to Paris, and then from Paris to Dublin, on unknown dates, before taking a bus to Belfast on February 10, 2023.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said he then immediately claimed asylum, before he was given leave to remain in the UK on 28 September 2023.
And the victim – a man in his 40s – is in a serious condition after suffering injuries to his eyes, neck and back.
The incident triggered widespread concern in communities across the province, with political leaders fearing a repeat of the race-related riots that erupted in Ballymena last summer.
A poster circulating on social media called for protests to begin at 7pm, with potential road closures listed across Belfast including Falls Road, Lanark Way, Crumlin Road, Ardoyne roundabout and Shankill Road.
As tensions mounted, Belfast City Council announced that all of its facilities would close and services would stop from 5.30pm because of the planned demonstrations.
Condemning the attack, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening.
“I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.”
The city’s political group leaders condemned the attack and appealed for calm.
In a joint statement, they said: “Violence of this kind is not wanted in our city, and our thoughts today are with the victim and his family, those who witnessed this incident and those who intervened.
“This incident has caused real distress and fear, and we encourage people not to share any footage of the incident, due to its graphic nature, and to avoid any further trauma to those involved.”
The statement added: “Belfast is a proud city, built on community, compassion and mutual respect. There is no place for violence and hatred in any form in our city.
“We appeal for everyone to unite behind this message, and to give the PSNI the space needed to carry out their investigation.”
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said officers would increase their presence across Northern Ireland in the coming days.
He said: “There will be an increased police presence across Northern Ireland this evening and in the coming days to provide help, support, and reassurance for all our communities, and to keep everybody safe.”
The police chief warned people against inflaming tensions online as graphic footage of the attack continued to spread.
He said: “I appeal for everyone to be mindful of what they view and share online.
“Sharing footage risks causing further trauma to the injured man’s family and loved ones, and may impact on this investigation.”
He added: “I understand that last night’s attempted murder will leave people feeling enraged with emotions from fear to anger, but please, please let the PSNI, let the police do their job unfettered and undistracted by wider concerns there may be about disorder.”
Representatives from minority ethnic communities said many people were frightened by the prospect of unrest following the attack.
Lilian Seenoi-Barr, a former mayor of Londonderry, said: “We are horrified like everyone else in this community because a member of our community has been attacked on our streets where we are all meant to be safe.”
She added: “Our community is horrified and people are afraid because they know what could happen, but we are also reassured we live in a community in which all of us are coming together united with one voice.”
The growing tensions have also drawn attention online, with Tommy Robinson using his X account to publicise a list of locations where he called for “mass protest” across Northern Ireland.
The list was later shared by X owner Elon Musk with his millions of followers.