Major replace after Belfast knife assault as man charged with tried homicide

A 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder following a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night, with the victim remaining in a serious condition in hospital

View 6 Images

A man arrested in connection with the Belfast knife attack has been charged with attempted murder, according to police. The 30-year-old suspect, who is of Sudanese origin, also faces charges of possession of a bladed or pointed article in a public place and making threats to kill.

He is scheduled to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 10. The victim of the attack, a man in his 40s, remained in hospital in a serious condition on Tuesday, receiving treatment for severe injuries to his eye, face and back.

Monday night’s knife attack has been widely condemned. Police chiefs and political leaders have also called for calm amid fears that anti-immigration protests planned in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening could escalate into violence.

Detectives have stated there is no evidence to suggest the attack was terror-related.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has initiated a “critical incident” in response to the incident, which was caught on video and appears to show a man stabbing at the victim’s head and neck while he was lying on the ground. A kitchen knife was retrieved from the scene.

The footage shows people, including one wielding a hurling stick, intervening to halt the man attacking the victim in the Kinnaird Avenue residential area near the bustling Antrim Road in north Belfast.

Meanwhile, the hurling stick “hero” has since been named as Maitiu Mág Tighearnán whose life-saving efforts have inspired a GoFundMe page set up to “buy him a pint.”

So far over £1,600 has been raised.

Tonight, protesters have gathered outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Southampton following the Belfast knife attack.

Dozens of demonstrators held Union and St George flags as they gathered outside Highfield House Hotel on Tuesday evening.

Protesters outside the hotel in the city’s Portswood suburb unveiled signs reading “Belfast-Southampton Stands With You”, “Enough Is Enough” and “Illegal Migration Is Destroying Our Civilisation”.

Dozens of police officers lined the pavement and were seen keeping demonstrators from crossing the road.

In a social media post shared by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, organisers of the “flash protest” said it was in response to the “disgusting video we are witnessing”, in what is understood to be a reference to the stabbing in Belfast.

Earlier, police revealed details on the arrested man’s immigration status and how he travelled to the UK. He entered Northern Ireland across the Irish border in February 2023 having flown to Dublin from Paris.

He claimed asylum upon arrival and in September 2023 was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher briefed reporters on the status of the investigation as he appeared alongside Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Justice Minister Naomi Long at a press conference at Stormont on Tuesday afternoon.

Commenting on the prospect of disorder, the police chief warned people against being influenced “from afar through social media”.

“There will be an increased police presence across Northern Ireland this evening and in the coming days to provide help, support, and reassurance for all our communities, and to keep everybody safe,” he said.

“There is considerable posting on social media. I appeal for everyone to be mindful of what they view and share online.

“Sharing footage risks causing further trauma to the injured man’s family and loved ones, and may impact on this investigation.

“We are aware, of course, of protest activity being discussed across Northern Ireland this evening, and we continue to monitor this very carefully.

“And I understand that last night’s attempted murder will leave people feeling enraged with emotions from fear to anger, but please, please let the PSNI, let the police do their job unfettered and undistracted by wider concerns there may be about disorder.”

He added: “Do not let people who know nothing about Northern Ireland impact on the behaviours of our people in Northern Ireland from afar through social media.

“Remember the actions of those members of the public, they truly define our society in Northern Ireland, they saved a man’s life last night.

“Do not let the actions of that man impact on any further harm to anybody else in Northern Ireland.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack.

“The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening,” he said. 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.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.