Police Use Water Cannons on Protesters in Belfast After Second Night of Unrest

Police used water cannons against masked demonstrators in Belfast on Wednesday night after a second consecutive evening of violence linked to a stabbing. Protesters set small fires and hurled bricks, rocks and bottles at officers near the Sandyknowes roundabout in Glengormley. Demonstrators used sledgehammers to break pavement and pried bricks from walls to use as projectiles.

A 30-year-old Sudanese man appeared in Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder, possession of a knife in a public place and threats to kill an NHS worker. The charges stem from an attack on Stephen Ogilvie, a man in his 40s, in north Belfast on Monday night. Ogilvie lost his left eye, sustained damage to his right eye and suffered injuries to his neck and back.

His family said he remains in stable condition and appealed for privacy while urging peaceful protest. Twelve officers were injured and sixteen people were arrested during the second night of unrest. A nurse of a different skin colour was chased into the Ulster Hospital by four masked men, according to Patricia McKeown of Unison.

The Northern Health Trust rescheduled some outpatient appointments at Whiteabbey Hospital as a precaution. Police advised motorists to avoid the Ardmore Road at the Church Brae junction in Londonderry after items were set on fire. First Minister Michelle O’Neill described the violence as “thuggery”.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said taking frustration at one person’s actions out on others “is utterly wrong”. Britain’s minister for the province, Hilary Benn, told Sky News the events amounted to “racist thuggery”. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said those behind the violence will feel the full force of the law.

Peaceful protests were reported at Stormont Estate and Coleraine.