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Man Charged with Attempted Murder After North Belfast Stabbing Sparks Disorder
By Drooid · · How we work
North Belfast Stabbing and Arraignment
On June 8, 31-year-old Hadi Alodid of Duncairn Avenue in Belfast was charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie, a man in his 40s who lost his left eye and suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back. The attack occurred near Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast and was captured on video that spread widely on social media. Alodid entered the dock at Belfast Crown Court with an Arabic interpreter, pleaded “not guilty” to the attempted-murder charge, to a charge of possessing a knife, and to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour.
Police Response and Reported Disorder
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the incident triggered serious disorder across several areas of Northern Ireland, describing the unrest as racially motivated. Masked mobs set fire to homes, cars and a bus, targeting individuals based on race, and foreign-national healthcare workers received threats and intimidation. Video footage released after the attack showed bystanders, including one wielding a hurling stick, confronting the apparent attacker until police arrived.
Legal Proceedings
Judge Philip Gilpin read the three charges to Alodid and set a trial date for February 1. Both prosecution and defence barristers requested two weeks be allocated for the trial but expressed hope the case could be heard more quickly. Review hearings are scheduled to take place before the trial.
Context and Impact
The stabbing and the subsequent rioting have heightened community tensions in Belfast, with the widely shared video amplifying public concern. The PSNI’s characterization of the disorder as racially motivated underscores broader anxieties about hate-related violence in the region.
Upcoming Proceedings
Alodid remains in custody pending the February 1 trial. The forthcoming review hearings will address pre-trial matters, after which the case will proceed to trial, where the charges of attempted murder, knife possession, and threatening behaviour will be adjudicated.