11.06.2026 07:40
Anti-immigrant unrest that began after a knife attack in Northern Ireland continued into its second night. As protesters attempted to march toward a hotel housing irregular migrants, police responded with water cannons and plastic bullets. During the incidents, vehicles were set on fire and addresses of homes allegedly inhabited by migrants were shared on social media. Turkey's Ambassador to London, Osman Koray Ertaş, also called on Turkish citizens to be cautious.
Anti-immigrant protests that began after a knife attack in Northern Ireland on June 8 escalated on their second night. Protesters gathered in the Newtownabbey area of the capital, Belfast, attempted to march toward a hotel housing irregular immigrants.
Police teams trying to stop the protesters' advance used water cannons and occasionally plastic bullets. Scuffles broke out between protesters and security forces during the incidents.
VEHICLES AND BUILDINGS TARGETED
During the overnight events, a vehicle was set on fire. It was also reported that an unused building was attempted to be burned.
On social media, "target lists" containing addresses of homes claimed to be inhabited by immigrants were circulated. The shared lists were said to include approximately 100 home addresses, mostly located in Belfast.
CALL FOR CALM FROM THE KNIFE ATTACK VICTIM'S FAMILY
The family of Stephen Ogilvy, the victim of the attack that sparked the incidents, also issued a public appeal following the events.
Ogilvy's family, who lost an eye and whose health condition remains serious, called for an end to the unrest in a statement released through the police.
The statement said, "There are many immigrants who make significant contributions to our country. We need them for our country's functioning. We do not want the tragedy we experienced to be used to divide people."
WARNING TO TURKISH CITIZENS
Turkey's Ambassador to London, Osman Koray Ertaş, also called on Turkish citizens living in Northern Ireland to be cautious following the events.
Stating that they are closely monitoring developments, Ertaş requested avoiding areas where protests have intensified. Emphasizing that British authorities' security warnings should be heeded, Ertaş advised contacting local security forces and Turkish representations in case of any adverse situation.
Ambassador Ertaş also spoke with Turkish barber Ümit Güler, whose workplace in the town of Ballyclare near Belfast was targeted, and conveyed his get-well wishes.
HOW DID THE INCIDENTS BEGIN?
In the incident that occurred in north Belfast on June 8, a person, reportedly Sudanese and granted asylum status in 2023, seriously injured an Irish citizen by stabbing them in the face, eye, and back. The 30-year-old assailant, subdued by bystanders, was taken into custody by the police.
Following the attack, far-right groups launched anti-immigrant campaigns and called for "mass deportations." During the protests that began on June 9, homes and businesses owned by foreigners were targeted, and police vehicles and public property were damaged.