Fires and unrest ripped through Belfast on Tuesday night as mass protests broke out after a Sudanese migrant was charged with attempted murder.
Protesters set fire to a bus in the city and firefighters had to remove residents from their homes in another street after flames spread to properties.
More than 200 masked men and youths broke off from a main gathering in Cloughfern to torch the bus, while several cars were seen ablaze later into the evening.
GB News understands the Glider bus had been hijacked before the fire broke out.
Across Belfast, roads were blocked and vehicles were set alight.
Fire crews fielded 256 calls and reported to 62 incidents, the majority of which were in Belfast.
In the east, masked groups have approached locals with cameras – as well as a GB News crew – urging them firmly to leave and stop recording.
Residents with doorbell cameras are thought to have been told to turn them off ahead of the disorder.
A bus was set on fire in Belfast
Cars were torched in residential streets, with some residents evacuated from their homes
Protesters set fire to a bus in the city amid fury over Monday’s knife attack
Further afield, demonstrations are underway across Northern Ireland – with protests also unfolding in cities in Britain.
Police and politicians have pleaded for calm after Monday night’s attack, which has seen the 30-year-old migrant charged with attempted murder, making threats to kill and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
The charges mean reporting restrictions around the attack are in place.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said “sporadic pockets of disorder” have broken out in a number of locations across Northern Ireland.
“We are urging everyone to remain calm, act responsibly, and avoid any activity that could place themselves or others at risk,” he said.
The PSNI deployed its Tactical Support Group units and arranged for a helicopter to oversee the response following reports of demonstrations across Ulster tonight.
Hundreds of protesters have gathered across Northern Ireland
Masked men also set fire to a wheelie bin in the Northern Irish capital
Though unlike in protests seen in Britain, police presence has been intentionally limited around Belfast in a bid to cool the risk of violence.
Protesters assembled in other corners of the province, including Antrim and Londonderry.
Democratic Unionist Party MLA Paul Givan, who attended a peaceful protest in Lisburn, urged demonstrators not to “distract” from their concerns about uncontrolled immigration.
He said: “It is important that people do conduct themselves in a peaceful manner to make sure that the key issues here around immigration can be heard and we are not distracted by any form of violence.
“That will only distract.
People should express their views in a peaceful manner.”
Late on Tuesday, Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill – who earlier accused GB News of “fake news” – described scenes of violence in Belfast as “outright thuggery”.
The PSNI is calling for calm across Ulster
She said: “Groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice.“This has nothing to do with community. This is outright thuggery. The attack in North Belfast was heinous and wrong.
“But there are dangerous attempts to exploit that to target and attack innocent people who are simply trying to live, work and raise their families here. Racism, intimidation and violence are wrong wherever they occur.
“There can be no excuse and no justification for these attacks tonight. No one wants to see this on our streets and I again appeal for calm.”
And Arlene Foster, the former First Minister said she watched the unrest “with great sadness”.
“This is not only wrong – we condemn the violence absolutely – but it’s counter-productive,” she told Sky News.
A separate protest took place in Southampton, where demonstrations took place last week following the murder of 18-year-old finance student Henry Nowak.
London and Glasgow also witnessed protests in connection to the incident in Northern Ireland.
The 30-year-old suspected attacker entered Northern Ireland by crossing over from the Republic of Ireland in 2023.
He made the journey to the UK after leaving Sudan and eventually arriving in France.
However, the Home Office quickly approved his asylum claim shortly after arriving in Northern Ireland and granted him leave to remain in the UK until 2028.
He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The alleged victim, who was identified as a man in his 40s, suffered injuries to his eyes, back and face.
Despite the alleged attacker crossing over from the Republic of Ireland, Dublin’s Department of Justice said it was “not in a position to comment”.
NORTHERN IRELAND ROCKED BY UNREST AS BELFAST ATTACK IGNITES FURIOUS REACTION
Northern Ireland has been plunged into serious unrest following a violent knife attack in north Belfast that triggered widespread protests, anti-immigration violence and clashes with police. The incident has reignited an increasingly heated national debate about immigration, public safety, community tensions and the government’s responsibility to protect residents. What began as public anger over a shocking attack quickly developed into several nights of disorder, leaving homes damaged, vehicles burned and families frightened for their safety.
The violence began after Stephen Ogilvie, a Belfast resident, suffered a horrific knife attack on 8 June 2026. The victim sustained serious injuries, including the loss of sight in one eye. The incident shocked the local community and prompted widespread demands for justice.
A 30-year-old Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, was subsequently charged with attempted murder, threatening to kill another person and possessing a bladed article. The charges are allegations to be determined through the judicial process.
News of the attack spread rapidly across social media, attracting strong reactions from residents and political commentators. Many people expressed sympathy for the victim and his family, while others raised questions about immigration policy and public security.
However, the situation soon escalated beyond peaceful demonstrations. Masked individuals gathered in several areas, and violent disorder broke out in Belfast and surrounding communities. Homes believed to accommodate migrants were attacked, vehicles were set alight and a bus was burned during the unrest.
Families were forced to leave their homes as fires and disturbances spread through residential neighbourhoods. Some residents described scenes of fear and uncertainty as police officers attempted to restore order.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) deployed additional officers to affected areas and used water cannon and other public-order equipment to control violent crowds. Officers also faced attacks involving bricks, fireworks and petrol bombs.
According to police statements, 12 officers were injured during one night of serious disorder, while 16 arrests were made. Authorities warned that further arrests would follow as investigators examined CCTV recordings, mobile phone footage and information shared online.
The unrest also affected communities outside Belfast, including Newtownabbey and Portadown. Businesses experienced disruption, transport services were affected and some schools closed early because of safety concerns.
Northern Ireland’s political leaders responded by strongly condemning the violence. First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the attacks as unacceptable, while Justice Minister Naomi Long warned that innocent families had been frightened and terrorised in their own homes.
The victim’s family also issued an important appeal for calm. They expressed their devastation over what had happened to Stephen Ogilvie but made clear that they did not want the attack to be used as an excuse for further violence or hostility towards innocent people.
Their message highlighted an important distinction between demanding justice for a victim and targeting entire communities because of the alleged actions of one individual.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the role of social media in spreading information during moments of public tension. Videos, photographs and unverified claims circulated rapidly online, sometimes increasing anger before the facts had been fully established.
Police warned that inaccurate images were being shared and urged members of the public not to distribute misleading material. Investigators also examined whether online accounts and influential commentators had contributed to the escalation of tensions.
The events have reopened difficult discussions about immigration in Northern Ireland. Some residents have expressed concerns about the pace of migration, housing availability and the ability of local services to respond to population changes.
Others have warned against allowing individual criminal allegations to become a reason for discrimination against people from particular nationalities or ethnic backgrounds.
Northern Ireland has a complicated history of political and community conflict. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 helped establish a framework for peace and political cooperation after decades of violence known as the Troubles.
Although the circumstances surrounding the recent unrest are different from those historical conflicts, the destruction of homes and attacks on communities have reminded many people of the importance of protecting the peace achieved over recent decades.
The economic consequences of disorder are also significant. Businesses forced to close can lose valuable trading days, while damaged properties and vehicles create additional financial costs. Residents who are frightened to leave their homes may also experience serious disruption to their daily lives.
Healthcare workers and other essential employees have faced particular concerns about intimidation. Authorities have stressed that people working in hospitals, care facilities and other public services must be able to perform their duties without threats or harassment.
Immigration remains a legitimate subject for political debate. Governments must consider border security, public spending, housing capacity and the effective enforcement of immigration law. However, these discussions must be based on reliable information and should not encourage collective blame.
People who commit criminal offences must be investigated and held accountable through the justice system, regardless of their nationality. Equally, innocent individuals must be protected from threats and violence.
The British government now faces the challenge of responding to public concerns while preventing further divisions. This requires effective policing, transparent communication and cooperation between local authorities, community organisations and political leaders.
There is also a need to address misinformation and encourage responsible discussion. Public anger can be understandable following a serious crime, but violence against unrelated individuals cannot provide justice for victims.
Ultimately, the Belfast unrest demonstrates how quickly a serious criminal incident can develop into a much wider community crisis when fear, political divisions and misinformation combine.
In conclusion, the knife attack involving Stephen Ogilvie and the subsequent unrest have placed Northern Ireland under intense public attention. The victim’s injuries have understandably caused shock and anger, but the violence that followed has created additional victims and damaged already vulnerable communities. The criminal allegations must be dealt with through a fair judicial process, while those responsible for attacks, arson and public disorder must also face the consequences of their actions. Northern Ireland’s future depends on maintaining public safety, protecting innocent families and ensuring that immigration debates do not become a justification for racial hatred or violence. Justice, accountability and peaceful dialogue must remain the priorities.