Belfast, June 10, (PA Media/dpa/GNA) – A man arrested on suspicion of a widely condemned knife attack in Belfast, has been charged with attempted murder, police have said.
The 30-year-old accused, who is Sudanese, is also charged with possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistratesâ Court on Wednesday.
In Northern Ireland, the authorities do not release the name of accused persons before they appear in court. The victim of the attack, a man aged in his 40s, remained in a serious condition in hospital on Tuesday, receiving treatment for serious eye, face and back wounds.
There has been widespread condemnation of Monday nightâs knife assault. Police commanders and political leaders have also appealed for calm amid concern anti-immigration protests planned in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening could turn violent. Detectives have said there is no indication the attack was terror-related.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), has launched a âcritical incidentâ in response to the incident which was captured on video, and appears to show a man stabbing at the victimâs head and neck while he was lying on the ground.
The clip shows people, including one with a hurling stick, intervening to stop the man attacking the victim in the Kinnaird Avenue residential area, close to the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast.
A kitchen knife was recovered from the scene. Crowds began assembling at various locations around Belfast and beyond on Tuesday for planned protests.
Earlier, police revealed details on the arrested manâs 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 Irelandâs First Minister Michelle OâNeill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Justice Minister Naomi Long at a press conference at the regional parliament, Stormont, on Tuesday afternoon.
Commenting on the prospect of disorder, the police chief warned people against being influenced âfrom afar through social media.â âThere 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,â he said.
âThere is considerable posting on social media. I appeal for everyone to be mindful of what they view and share online. âSharing footage risks causing further trauma to the injured manâs family and loved ones, and may impact on this investigation. âWe are aware, of course, of protest activity being discussed across Northern Ireland this evening, and we continue to monitor this very carefully. âAnd I understand that last nightâs 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.â
He added: âDo not let people who know nothing about Northern Ireland impact on the behaviours of our people in Northern Ireland from afar through social media. âRemember the actions of those members of the public, they truly define our society in Northern Ireland, they saved a manâs life last night. âDo not let the actions of that man impact on any further harm to anybody else in Northern Ireland.â
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack. âThe horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening,â he said. âI have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets. âMy thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened.â
Earlier, the leaders of the five largest parties at Stormont issued a joint statement in response to the attack. They represent the full spectrum of political opinion in the region, from Irish nationalists to pro-British unionists and the cross-community Alliance Party.
Sinn FĂ©in Vice President OâNeill, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson, Alliance Party leader Long, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Jon Burrows and Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Claire Hanna said they were âunited in our condemnation of the horrific incident in North Belfast last night.â
The political leaders urged anyone with information that could help the police investigation to assist detectives. They also issued an appeal for calm. The scene outside an apartment complex off Kinnaird Avenue remained cordoned off on Tuesday, with markers visible on the ground where the attack had taken place.
GNA