Explosion in Belfast as masked protesters hurl objects at police on second night of violence

An explosion has rocked the streets of Belfast as masked protestors hurl objects at police on the second night of violence in the city in the wake of a knife attack in Belfast allegedly carried out by a Sudanese migrant.

The incident occurred this evening on the Sandyknowes roundabout in the Glengormley area, as some 800 protestors descended on a migrant hotel housing asylum seekers.

Riot police were deployed to the scene after a vehicle in a nearby yard belonging to the Department for Infrastructure was set alight, causing gas cylinders to explode.

The depot where the vehicle was set on fire houses gritters, drain cleaning lorries, and other vehicles used in road works.

Police fired two water cannons toward descending demonstrators, with a huge crowd gathered in front of the Chimney Corner Hotel.

The unrest comes after victim Stephen Ogilvie lost his left eye in a knife attack on Monday night, and has sustained deep cuts to his head, face and back.

Hadi Alodid, 30, a Sudanese migrant from Duncairn Avenue in Belfast, has been remanded in custody at Belfast Magistrates' Court, where he will remain for four weeks until his trial on July 8.

Alodid has been charged with threats to kill, attempted murder and possession of a blade.

Amid the chaos, Glasgow Central Mosque locked worshippers inside as protestors were believed to have been aiming to reach the mosque.

Yesterday evening, protesters had carried out arson attacks on several private homes last night, with Keir Starmer noting people were "targeted because of their background".

The Police Service of Northern Ireland have addressed reports of social media users "posting address details online" in a threatening manner amid the unrest.

Police have received phone calls from families, house owners and neighbours who are "extremely distressed as a result of this reckless activity".

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A spokesman for the force said: "We are aware that following recent disorder some social media users are posting address details online, or sharing these through communication apps.

"Highlighting properties in this way is totally unacceptable. We have received phone calls from a number of families, house owners, neighbours and members of the wider community who are extremely distressed as a result of this reckless activity. This is unacceptable. It is putting lives at risk and has to stop.

"Anyone who shares personal information online with the intention to endanger others may be committing a criminal offence.

"Any person who publishes or distributes material which is threatening or abusive may also be committing an offence. We will be investigating any such posts which come to our attention."

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