Belfast knife attack victim named locally as protesters torch city | UK | News

The victim of a horrific stabbing attack on a Belfast street on Monday has been identified locally as Stephen Ogilvie.

The victim, aged in his 40s, remained in hospital on Tuesday, according to the PSNI; He was treated for serious injuries to his eyes, face and back.

A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after suffering “serious injuries” to his face, neck and back on Monday night.

Details of the attack, which took place on Kinnaird Avenue in the north of the city, emerged after disturbing images of the stabbing went viral.

The clip shows members of the public, including one man, intervening to stop the man attacking the victim in the Kinnaird Avenue area near the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast.

A kitchen knife was seized at the scene.

The stabbing attack on Monday night sparked widespread condemnation and large-scale protests broke out across the city.

Senior police officers and political leaders have called for restraint amid fears planned anti-immigration demonstrations could turn violent.

It was stated that the suspect was a Sudanese citizen. Earlier on Tuesday, police released details of the arrested man’s immigration status and how he came to the UK.

In February 2023, he flew from Paris to Dublin and entered Northern Ireland over the Irish border.

The suspect requested asylum on arrival and in September 2023 was granted permission to remain in the UK until 2028. Detectives confirmed there was no suggestion Monday’s stabbing was terrorism-related.

The 30-year-old defendant is also accused of possessing a bladed or pointed object in a public place and threatening to kill. He will appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

As properties and vehicles were set on fire and protesters continued to occupy the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland’s First Minister was quick to condemn the unrest on social media.

“Groups of masked men evicting families from their homes is nothing short of disgusting cowardice,” says Michelle O’Neill.