The stabbing victim in Belfast is expected to wake from his coma within 48 hours, according to DUP leader Gavin Robinson.
Stephen Ogilvie was severely injured in a knife attack on Monday evening in North Belfast. The assault resulted in the loss of one eye and other serious injuries. Mr Robinson met the victim’s parents, who called for an end to misinformation surrounding the incident.
The knife attack has sparked two nights of violent riots across Belfast. Police reported that officers faced petrol bombs and bricks thrown at them, resulting in 12 injuries among their ranks and 16 arrests. The suspect, Hadi Alodid, has been charged with attempted murder, threatening an NHS radiographer, and knife possession.
🚨🇬🇧 BREAKING: The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) arrested a man following a violent knife attack in North Belfast on Monday night, 8 June 2026.
The attack occurred shortly after 10:30 p.m. outside an apartment building on Kinnaird Avenue, leaving a second man with…
— Nova Intel (@intel_nova) June 9, 2026
Police Service of Northern Ireland assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson warned that the justice system is prepared to impose lengthy sentences on those involved in the disturbances.
Public transport in Belfast has been disrupted, with Translink suspending Metro, Ulsterbus, and Glider services after 5.30pm, and the last trains leaving Grand Central Station before 8.15pm. The company urged passengers to check for updates amid ongoing unrest.
Rising Tensions and Attacks on Migrants
The riots have been accompanied by targeted attacks on migrant communities. Protesters have reportedly gone house to house in Belfast, attempting to evict immigrants amid growing hostility.
BREAKING: Protesters in Belfast are going house to house looking for migrants and evicting them. pic.twitter.com/2Dchx5sWHq
— World Source News (@Worldsource24) June 9, 2026
In a related incident, a house occupied by immigrants was set on fire in Belfast, further escalating fears among vulnerable groups.
House in Belfast occupied by immigrants is torched. pic.twitter.com/m2VufzD0DW
— Official Bilal Khan (@Bilal_khan_pro) June 10, 2026
The unrest has also seen emergency service workers targeted. Nurses have been intimidated on the streets, prompting condemnation from political figures.
Jon Burrows, leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, described those who intimidate nurses as “the scum of the earth” and “traitors to our country”. He called for swift arrests and exemplary sentences for offenders.
Political and Community Responses
The victim’s family expressed gratitude for public support but urged that the situation not be worsened by false information. They appealed for calm and respect during a difficult time.
Meanwhile, police continued to appeal for information and cooperation to restore order. Authorities emphasised that violence and intimidation undermine community safety and cohesion.
The violence follows a period of heightened tensions in Belfast, where longstanding sectarian divisions have been exacerbated by recent political disagreements and economic pressures. Incidents of sectarian and racially motivated attacks have increased, with emergency services particularly vulnerable.
Officials are monitoring the situation closely, with hopes that peace will be restored in the coming days as investigations continue and community leaders call for dialogue.
