Anti-immigration protests erupt in Belfast after knife attack; bus torched, homes damaged

The trigger

A 30-year-old Sudanese man is due in court on Wednesday, charged with attempted murder, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and threats to life. The charges relate to a knife attack on Monday evening in north Belfast that left a man in his forties hospitalised with serious injuries to his eyes, neck, and back. Widely circulated social-media video showed members of the public, one holding a wooden bat, restraining the suspect until police arrived.

Violence spreads across the city

By Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators, many masked, had gathered at multiple locations. A bus was set alight, along with several other vehicles and rubbish bins. Rioters smashed doors and windows of homes, and some residents were forced to flee. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service responded to 62 incidents on Tuesday night, the overwhelming majority in the greater Belfast area. Police helicopters hovered overhead as smoke rose from different parts of the city.

Beyond Belfast

Protests also took place in Londonderry, Antrim, Newtownabbey, Ballymena, and Bangor. While some gatherings remained peaceful, others descended into violence. Ulster Unionist Party leader John Burrows said many of those involved were teenagers. About 100 people with covered faces damaged properties.

Official response

Deputy Chief Constable Ryan Henderson urged communities to encourage peaceful protest and to prevent involvement in violence. Police described the disturbances as "sporadic outbreaks of disorder" across several areas. All public transport services in the city were temporarily suspended.

There is no place for masked thugs in Northern Ireland. Hatred cannot prevail.

Justice Minister Naomi Long condemned the violence. Police and British authorities issued repeated calls for restraint.