Full Breakdown
Stephen Ogilvie’s Family Condemns Unrest After North Belfast Knife Attack
6/10/2026, 9:09:52 PM
North Belfast Knife Attack on Stephen Ogilvie
On Monday night at approximately 10:30 p.m., Stephen Ogilvie, a man in his 40s, was stabbed on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast. The assault caused the loss of his left eye and left him gravely injured. Police arrested 30-year-old Hadi Alodid, a Sudanese national, who was later charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife. Alodid was remanded in custody for four weeks at Belfast Magistrates’ Court.
Timeline of Events
- Monday, 10:30 p.m. – Knife attack on Stephen Ogilvie; emergency services attend.
- Tuesday, early hours – Video of the attack circulates online, sparking street disturbances.
- Tuesday night – Masked demonstrators set fire to several homes, cars and a Glider; chants of “foreigners out” are heard; a two-month-old baby is rescued by police.
- Tuesday morning – Hadi Alodid appears in court and is charged.
Key Figures and Groups
- Stephen Ogilvie – Victim, currently receiving medical care.
- Hadi Alodid – Suspect, charged and remanded.
- Ogilvie family – Issued a public statement through Independent Councillor Stafford Ward.
- Local residents – Intervened during the attack, providing immediate assistance.
- Emergency services – Provided medical treatment and transport.
- Police – Conducted arrests, investigated the unrest, and appealed for information.
Data on Unrest and Legal Proceedings
- Several homes, multiple cars and a Glider were set alight.
- Demonstrators chanted anti-immigrant slogans while breaking windows and doors.
- A baby aged two months was among those rescued from the chaos.
- The suspect remains in custody for a four-week remand period pending further proceedings.
Official Family Statement and Calls for Calm
The family described the incident as “a massive shock” and expressed gratitude to the residents who intervened, as well as to emergency personnel. They urged the public and media to respect their privacy, emphasized that “peaceful protest is the only way forward,” and warned against using the tragedy to divide communities. The statement also highlighted the contribution of migrants to health care and hospitality sectors, underscoring a desire to prevent hostility.
Criticism & Opposition
The unrest featured masked groups chanting “foreigners out,” indicating an attempt to politicise the attack along anti-immigrant lines. Community leaders and the family condemned this exploitation, stressing that the violence should not be leveraged to fuel division.
On-the-Ground Reports
Eyewitnesses reported that local by-standers physically intervened, preventing further injury to Ogilvie. Police later rescued a two-month-old infant from a burning property, illustrating the broader danger posed by the night’s disturbances.
Verbatim Quotes from the Family
- “We are completely devastated by the horrific attack on our loved one on Kinnaird Avenue.” — Stephen Ogilvie’s family
- “We want to say a profound thank you to the local people who bravely stepped in during the attack. Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him in that moment.” — Stephen Ogilvie’s family
- “We want to make it absolutely clear that overnight unrest is not welcome, and peaceful protest is the only way forward.” — Stephen Ogilvie’s family
- “We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including in our healthcare system and hospitality sector and we depend on them to make our country work.” — Stephen Ogilvie’s family
- “If you know anything at all about the attack, or saw anything strange near Kinnaird Avenue, please go to the police.” — Stephen Ogilvie’s family
What’s Next
Police continue to investigate the stabbing and the subsequent riots, urging anyone with information to come forward. The Ogilvie family remains focused on Stephen’s recovery while maintaining a request for privacy. Community groups are monitoring the situation to prevent further escalation and to support healing in the affected neighborhoods.
