Water Cannon Deployed at Sandyknowes Roundabout After Second Night of Disorder

Police deployed a water cannon at the Sandyknowes roundabout in Glengormley, County Antrim, to disperse crowds attacking officers with bricks, bottles and pieces of wood on Wednesday evening. Dozens of people dressed in black and wearing face coverings tore up driveways and fences to use as missiles.

A large Department for Infrastructure vehicle and several bins were set on fire, and some in the crowd threw petrol bombs at police lines.

The crowd attempted to reach a hotel housing asylum seekers. Additional officers were drafted in, though Wednesday's disorder was smaller than the violence the previous night. Police advised motorists to avoid the Sandyknowes roundabout.

Public transport across Northern Ireland shut down on Wednesday and some schools closed early. Belfast city centre was largely deserted after many businesses closed by lunchtime. In east Belfast, about 150 people gathered amid a large police presence.

Police said there was little trouble and few arrests were made. More than 100 people gathered near the Ulster University campus in Coleraine, County Londonderry, where some remonstrated with police about houses of multiple occupation before dispersing. In Derry, police advised motorists to avoid the Ardmore Road at the Church Brae junction due to items on fire.

About 140 protesters gathered at the Stormont estate in Belfast. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old originally from Sudan, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder over a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday. Stephen Ogilvie, who is in his 40s, suffered serious injuries including loss of his left eye, damage to his right eye, and injuries to his neck and back.