A 24-year-old man has been jailed for four weeks after a knife attack on Monday night in Belfast sent shockwaves through the city, sparking riots and violent disorder that left shops vandalised, vehicles burned and streets patrolled by masked assailants.
Hadi Alodid, 24, of no fixed address, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court Tuesday morning charged with attempted murder, threats to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife with intent. Police confirmed Alodid was remanded in custody until a further court hearing on June 16.
Key Points
- ✅ Stephen Ogilvy, 38, lost his left eye in the knife attack
- ⚡ Hadi Alodid, 24, charged with attempted murder and knife possession
- 💡 Rioting erupted across multiple Belfast districts Monday night
Disturbances began within hours of the incident, with emergency services reporting fires at bins and public transport stops. Eyewitness footage aired on local broadcasters showed masked individuals moving through residential streets, smashing windows and setting fire to a double-decker bus on the Lisburn Road.
📋 By The Numbers
- 67 — incidents logged by the Police Service of Northern Ireland between 8pm and midnight Monday
- 12 — arrests made in connection with disorder, including public order and criminal damage
The PSNI issued a statement urging calm, warning that “anyone involved in violence will be brought to justice.” Sources within the force said the unrest was not confined to Belfast, with isolated incidents reported in Derry/Londonderry, Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus. Social media was flooded with unverified claims and footage, prompting police to issue a plea for public restraint.
💡 Pro Tip
Do not share or reshare unverified riot footage—it can mislead investigations and fuel further disorder.
Alodid, who has no previous convictions on record, appeared in court via video link from Maghaberry Prison. His defence lawyer did not enter a plea, and no motive has been disclosed. The victim’s family released a statement through their solicitor describing the attack as “brutal and unprovoked.”
| Incident Type | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal damage | Lisburn Road | 1 fire service unit deployed |
| Public order | Shankill Road | PSNI Armed Response Unit on standby |
| Assault | City Centre | Victim in hospital, critical condition |
Senior police sources told this newspaper that the knife used in the attack was recovered from a drain near the scene within 90 minutes. Forensic analysis is underway to determine if it matches other recovered blades linked to recent disturbances in west Belfast.
- 📊 PSNI data shows a 14% rise in violent crime in the district over the past 12 months
- 🔍 Investigators are examining links between Alodid and a local youth gang
- ⚠️ Police warn that tensions remain high and further unrest is possible
The Northern Ireland Policing Board is scheduled to convene an emergency meeting Friday to review the police response and assess public safety measures ahead of expected protests.
Community leaders in west Belfast have called for calm, citing fears of retaliatory violence. A community worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We’ve seen this cycle before. One incident spirals, and suddenly we’re back in 2018.”
