Belfast knife attack leaves victim blind in one eye; suspect remanded as riots erupt across city

The attack

Stephen Ogilvie, a 44-year-old man originally from Scotland, was stabbed repeatedly on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast at around 22:30 BST on Monday night. Police arriving at the scene found a man armed with a kitchen knife sitting on top of the victim. Members of the public intervened, including one man wielding a hurling stick, and stopped the assault. A kitchen knife was recovered at the scene.

Ogilvie remains in hospital in a critical condition. The court heard he lost his left eye, sustained damage to his right eye, and suffered deep cuts to his face, neck and back. Neighbours described him as vulnerable and noted he was deaf in one ear. He had been due to move to a new flat on 15 June.

The suspect

Hadi Alodid, 30, of Duncairn Avenue, Belfast, appeared via video link at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday morning. He is charged with attempted murder, possession of a knife in a public place, and making threats to kill an NHS radiographer. The court heard that while receiving treatment for a hand injury at hospital, Alodid told medical staff "I will kill you" and stated "I've killed someone, I don't know if they are dead."

Alodid, who is Sudanese, entered Northern Ireland via the Republic of Ireland in February 2023 after flying from Paris to Dublin. He applied for asylum in Northern Ireland and received a UK residence permit in September 2023 valid until 2028. He refused legal representation and made no reply when the charges were put to him through an Arabic interpreter.

When they arrived a man was armed with a knife and sitting on another man, police removed the armed man.

Court proceedings

District Judge Steven Keown refused bail after police raised concerns about significant public disorder, risk of reoffending, harm to the public, and risk of flight. The PSNI said they were not aware of any family ties Alodid had in Northern Ireland. The judge described the risks as "far too great and unmanageable with any bail conditions." Alodid was remanded in custody to appear again on 8 July.

Judge Keown commended the members of the public who went to Ogilvie's aid and the emergency services who responded. He also issued a direct warning to those planning further disorder, saying anyone taking part in violence "can also expect to go to prison."

Riots and public disorder

On Tuesday night, serious disorder broke out across Belfast. Mobs set homes, a bus and cars on fire, and people were targeted based on their race. Several hundred masked young men turned out following calls on social media for anti-immigration protests. Businesses were attacked and residents were forced to flee their homes.

It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it. Those responsible will feel the full force of the law.

Police forces across the UK are monitoring intelligence on protests and have plans to mobilise officers should further disorder break out. Online posts from high-profile accounts, including Elon Musk and far-right activist Tommy Robinson, amplified calls for street protests. Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long said social media agitators who "yesterday would have struggled to find Belfast on a map" were weaponising public fear.

If you're driving people from their homes based on nothing but the colour of their skin, you can't dress that up any other way.

Detectives have stated there is no indication Monday's knife attack was terror-related.