Belfast attack victim named locally as protests erupt

Police have urged residents and protesters to remain calm.

The victim, a man in his 40s, remained in a serious condition in hospital on Tuesday, where he is being treated for injuries to his eye, face and back.

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).

Footage circulating widely online showed a group of people, including a man armed with a hurling stick, confronting the attacker before police arrived.

Additionally, a kitchen knife was recovered from the scene.

Following the attack, protestors took to the streets of Belfast, however, things quickly turned violent.

Images from Lendrick Street showed several properties and vehicles ablaze, with police and fire crews at the scene.

A resident who lives on the street told The Mirror: "Cars were set alight on the road, which caught fire to my house, but masked men were bashing down doors."

It is understood that a bus was also set alight in the city, while protesters threw objects, including traffic cones, at police.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said in a statement it had responded to 62 incidents on Tuesday evening.

"The majority of these incidents were in the Greater Belfast Area, where an additional 21 fire appliances from across Northern Ireland were required to meet demand," the NIFRS said.

The police have called for residents and protestors to remain calm.

Earlier on Tuesday, police revealed details on the arrested man’s immigration status.

It is understood that he entered Northern Ireland via the Irish border in February 2023, having flown to Dublin from Paris.

The suspect then claimed asylum upon arrival and, in September 2023, was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.

Detectives have since also said there is no indication the attack was terror-related.

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

He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday, June 10).