Family of Belfast knife attack victim speaks out from bedside

The suspect appeared in court today

This follows the court being told that the victim of the Belfast knife attack has lost his left eye in the attack with the accused suspect being named today.

It comes as Keir Starmer also condemned disorder on the streets of Belfast last night.

On Monday evening, a man in his 40s, who has been named locally as Stephen Ogilvie by Belfast Live, was attacked by a 30-year-old Sudanese man in a knife attack which left him with serious injuries.

The incident happened on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast at about 22:30 BST on Monday.

Videos circulating online showed several people, including one person wielding a hurling stick, confronting the attacker until the police arrived.

The suspected attacker, who was arrested on Monday and charged with attempted murder yesterday, appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court today

The court heard that the victim has lost an eye in the attack, as per the BBC.

The suspected attacker as also been named as Hadi Alodid and has been charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.

He has been remanded in custody for four weeks

Victim's family speaks out

Now, the family of the victim has spoken out saying that they "do not want to divide people".

The full statement read:

"We are completely devastated by the horrific attack on our loved one on Kinnaird Avenue. 

"This has been a massive shock to our whole family, and right now, our only priority is being at his bedside and helping him recover.

​"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. 

"We also want to thank the emergency services and the doctors and nurses looking after him.

"​We are aware of the tensions and talk of protests following this incident. 

"We want to make it absolutely clear that overnight unrest is not welcome, and peaceful protest is the only way forward. 

"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. 

"We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility.

"​We are asking the media and the public to please give us some space. 

"We need privacy to focus on our family right now, without cameras or people speculating about what happened.​

"If you know anything at all about the attack, or saw anything strange near Kinnaird Avenue, please go to the police.

​"Thank you for respecting our privacy."

Now, the suspected attacker, who was arrested on Monday and charged with attempted murder yesterday, has appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court.

The court heard that the victim has lost an eye in the attack, as per the BBC.

The suspected attacker as also been named as Hadi Alodid and has been charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.

He has been remanded in custody for four weeks

Unrest on the streets of Belfast

Unrest broke out on the streets of Belfast last night in the wake of the attack with a bus being set on fire and projectiles thrown at police.

Meanwhile smoke was seen rising into the sky over the city with multiple bins and properties being set on fire.

It comes as police called for calm in the city following the incident.

Northern Ireland's Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said yesterday: "I understand that last night's attempted murder will ‌leave people ​feeling a range of emotions, from fear to anger.

"I appeal for calm and the safety of all of our communities in response to ​this."

In the wake of this unrest, the Prime Minister Keir Starmer has spoken out on last night's disorder.

The PM condemned the violence as he wrote on X: "The scenes in Belfast last night were shocking and completely unacceptable.

"There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere.

"It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it. Those responsible will feel the full force of the law.

"I’ve spoken to the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to convey my thanks to them and the frontline emergency services for their bravery in keeping people safe.

"I’ve also spoken to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister to discuss the ongoing situation. Appealing for calm must be the priority, and that is what I urge now.

"We must let the police get on with their work."

Belfast dad praised as hero after using son's hurling stick to stop brutal knife attack

A Belfast father has been hailed as a hero after stepping in to help during a violent knife attack on Monday.

32-year-old Maitiu Mág Tighearnán was seen wielding a wooden hurling stick and hitting the attacker several times before the police arrived at the scene.

Footage of the incident quickly circulated online, showing Maitiu charging at the suspect and striking him with a hurling stick, as other bystanders rushed to help the injured man.

Maitiu told the Daily Mail that he and his friend Andre were on their way to a petrol station when they saw what they believed was two men fighting in the street.

They wanted to break up the fight, but as they inched closer, they realised the attacker had a knife.

“At this point, I thought someone was going to lose their life,” Maitiu said.

“I'd taken my son to hurling practice earlier that evening, and so I'd got out of the car, gone to the boot and grabbed his hurling stick.

“Instinct took over, and I ran over, and I smashed this guy over the head with the hurling stick. Right on the flat side, about three times. As hard as I could.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson praised the brave bystanders who stepped in during a news conference yesterday.

"It's important to acknowledge at the very outset the bravery of those members of the public who ran towards danger to intervene and help the injured man."

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the attack and has since been charged with attempted murder.

The 30-year-old man of Sudanese descent is also charged with possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill.

The accused is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court today (Wednesday 10 June).

People online are praising the Belfast dad for bravery. A GoFundMe page to buy Maitiu a pint’ has since been set up by Niall Donnan.

He wrote: “Faced with unimaginable violence, he chose courage over fear and grabbed a hurley stick to defend his fellow Irishman.

“I have set up this GoFundMe so the people of our land can show our support to Matt for his incredible bravery and courage. 100% of donations will be sent to Matt directly.

“Let’s buy him a pint!”

The GoFundMe page has already raised over £18,000.

Yesterday's police update on the victim

The victim, a man aged in his 40s, remains in hospital with his condition described as serious.

Yesterday, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson opened the news conference by describing the incident as a “brutal attack” and said the force’s “first thoughts are with the victim and his family.”

"Detectives and specialist officers are supporting them at this very difficult time," he adds.

Henderson goes on to say that police recovered "what is believed to be a kitchen knife" at the scene.

"The victim was taken to the hospital with significant injuries to his eyes and serious slash wound injuries to his back and face."

Henderson continued by stating the police are liaising with counter-terror police, and there is "no information" to suggest this is a terrorist-related incident.

He told a news conference this afternoon: "We're ruling out a terrorist motivation at this stage."

He explained: "Today we've been liaising with senior counter-terrorism partners. At this stage, we have no information to suggest that this was a terrorist related incident.

"However, I must stress, we are still at the early stages of our investigation. This brutal attack has sent shockwaves through our communities, and I want to reassure all of our communities. Your safety is our priority."

One of the main questions doing the rounds online is whether the attacker was residing in the country legally, as well as how they entered.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson says it's his understanding that "the individual was given leave to remain in Northern Ireland," per Sky News.

"I'm aware of speculation in relation to the suspect's immigration status. This morning, I've been talking to colleagues from the Home Office whose role it is to manage the immigration status of individuals.

"I can confirm my understanding is that the individual was given leave to remain in Northern Ireland," Henderson said.

He went on to add that the Home Office will be "confirming the exact details" in the coming days.

It is understood that the suspect made his way from Sudan to Paris, before flying to Dublin and then claiming asylum in Northern Ireland in 2023

Police were then asked whether there was any altercation or reports of disturbances before the incident, but Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson says he "does not want to speculate".

Henderson does go on to confirm that police believe the suspect lived close by to where the incident took place.

When asked whether the suspect was known to the victim, he says that it will "clearly be an important line of enquiry", but he again does not want to speculate. 

Police are aware of pictures and videos circulating on social media, as well as people online calling for protests after the attack.

Addressing them, ACC Henderson stresses that the force understands "people will want to have their voice heard".

However, he insists this needs to happen in a "peaceful" and calm way, per Sky News.

Keir Starmer's statement

PM Keir Starmer issued a statement early today on X, writing: "The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening.

"I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets.

"My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened."

Feature image credit: Social media