The attack

A savage knife attack on Stephen Ogilvie, 40, in north Belfast on Monday night set off the violence. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese refugee, used a kitchen knife to blind Ogilvie in the left eye and carve deep wounds on his head, face and back, police said. A video of the attack went viral on social media. Alodid was treated for a hand injury and later told medical staff, "I've killed someone, I don't know if they are dead."

The riots

On Tuesday night, masked protesters targeted homes believed to house immigrants, torching properties and vehicles and hurling rocks and other objects at police. The violence continued Wednesday in Belfast, Newtownabbey, Derry and Coleraine, though police said it was less intense than the previous night. Rioters tore bricks and stones from garden walls and patios, threw them at officers and set fire to trash bins and wooden structures. Police responded with water cannons and created a barricade of armoured vehicles. In the second night alone, 12 officers were injured and 16 arrests were made. More than two dozen people were left homeless.

Political response

Britain's minister for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, called the violence "racist thuggery," saying it had caused deep trauma among ethnic minorities. First Minister Michelle O'Neill of Sinn Fein described it as "thuggery." DUP leader Gavin Robinson called the attack "barbaric" and "medieval." Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled it "sickening." The family of the stabbing victim urged that their grief not be exploited against immigrants, saying, "We don't want our pain to be used against immigrants."

“If you are targeting people on the basis of the color of their skin, how else can you describe them? That is racist thuggery.”

Community impact

The disorder forced public transport to be shut down across Northern Ireland, some schools to close early, and many Belfast city centre businesses to shutter ahead of schedule. Ethnic minority residents described a climate of fear. Jamie Corry, whose home was burned down, said he would "never get over that feeling." Anselme Shima, originally from Congo, said, "I'm scared. Seeing this, I'm wondering if I'm next." There were reports of people being stopped in their cars and asked their nationality, and nurses being intimidated on their way to work.

“I've lived on my street for almost 10 years, I have a good relationship with my neighbors, but last night was a horrific one.”

Legal and political aftermath

Alodid appeared in Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, charged with attempted murder, threatening to kill a second person and carrying a knife. Through an Arabic interpreter, he refused legal representation and did not enter a plea; he was ordered held. The court appearance occurred between the two nights of violence. Police have not revealed a motive and said it is not believed to be terrorism. Meanwhile, the Taoiseach is expected to meet with Keir Starmer in the coming days to discuss the situation.