Increased police presence, combined with calls for calm from the family of Steven Ogilvy -the man who suffered a shocking knife attack by a Sudanese perpetrator- appears to have helped contain tensions in Belfast. The riots that occurred for a second consecutive night were noticeably smaller in scale and violence compared to previous incidents.
Despite the relative de-escalation, police continue investigations and are examining the possibility of organized online incitement. While a terrorism scenario is currently ruled out, authorities are investigating reports that social media accounts published residential addresses and encouraged attacks against immigrant homes.
European media has been covering the protests in BELFAST heavily.
German outlet @derspiegel has obtained footage I hadn’t seen until now of migrant men FIGHTING and being CHASED by local men.
This is going to get much bloodier. pic.twitter.com/PJtrbh0maC
— Kiera Diss (@KieraDiss) June 10, 2026
Belfast: Victim’s family reacts – “Disgusted” by recent unrest
The consequences of the riots remain serious, as more than 27 people were left homeless following fires at residences identified as homes of foreign nationals. Authorities are calling on citizens to avoid misinformation and show restraint, while investigations continue to identify those responsible for both the violent incidents and online incitement.
In a statement released through police, Steven Ogilvy’s relatives said they were “disgusted” by the recent unrest, while confirming he is in stable condition. They clarified his status after seeing false information on social media and repeated their call for peaceful protest rather than “dividing the people.”
After Tuesday’s riots, Wednesday evening saw a repeat but not of the same scale of violence, confined to one area, Newtownabbey, north of Belfast city center.
A water cannon was deployed to disperse a large crowd, as police forces came under sustained attack from a group throwing bricks, bottles and pieces of wood at a major roundabout in northwest Belfast. BBC footage showed dozens of people dressed in black and wearing masks breaking down entrances and fences of neighboring houses to use as weapons.
A large Infrastructure Ministry vehicle was seen in flames and trash bins were set on fire.
Belfast has been declared and immigrant and HMO free zone with paramilitaries threatening retribution on landlords who allow it pic.twitter.com/A65wH6KRpn
— LeShayster101 (@SM8724231137203) June 9, 2026
Belfast: No evidence linking knife attack to terrorism
The crowd attempted to set fire to an abandoned property in the same area, with some throwing Molotov cocktails at police lines. They appeared to be trying to approach a hotel housing asylum seekers. There were protests elsewhere in Northern Ireland, but these were largely peaceful.
In east Belfast, where major problems occurred on Tuesday, about 150 people gathered amid a heavy police presence. Police said there was minor trouble and few arrests had been made.
30-year-old Sudanese man Hadi Alondid appeared in court charged with attempted murder.
Alondid, the suspect in the knife attack, flew from Paris to Dublin and entered Northern Ireland in February 2023. He applied for asylum upon arrival and was permitted to remain in the UK until 2028, police reported. He had legal right to reside in Northern Ireland, police stated.
The investigation is ongoing, but currently there is no evidence proving the knife attack is connected to terrorism, police added.
