10.06.2026 07:40
Many vehicles and homes were set on fire during anti-immigrant protests sparked by a Sudanese asylum seeker stabbing an Irishman in Northern Ireland. The windows and door of a Turkish barber's shop were also smashed in the attack.
In an incident that occurred on the night of June 8 in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, a Sudanese man who was granted asylum status in 2023 seriously injured an Irish person by stabbing them. In response, protesters began nationwide demonstrations starting from the previous evening.
Gathering in various cities and towns across Northern Ireland, primarily in Belfast, protesters expressed opposition to asylum seekers and irregular migrants, while also criticizing the UK government's immigration policies.
The anti-immigrant protests quickly escalated into street violence, causing damage to police, migrants, and public property.
Masked protesters in particular set a municipal bus on fire in Belfast, while in the eastern part of the city, several homes and cars were also set ablaze.
Paul Golding, leader of the far-right Britain First Party, claimed in a post on his X account that one of the burned homes was "occupied by migrants."
Anti-immigrant protesters also attacked a Turkish barber shop in the town of Ballyclare, breaking its windows and door.
"THIS IS COMPLETELY BANDITRY"
Ryan Henderson, Deputy Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), stated in a written statement that such large-scale and serious street disturbances are not common in the country.
Noting that numerous vehicles were burned in the incidents, Henderson said, "I urge everyone to remain calm, act responsibly, and avoid actions that put themselves and others at risk."
Henderson also called on influential members of the community to encourage peaceful protest and avoid violence and chaos.
Michelle O'Neill, Northern Ireland's First Minister, said in a post on X, "Masked men burning families' homes is nothing but despicable cowardice. The community is not guilty at all. This is completely banditry."
O'Neill emphasized that the stabbing attack in Belfast was treacherous and wrong, but added, "However, there are dangerous attempts to use this incident to target innocent people trying to live, work, and care for their families here. Racism, incitement, and violence are wrong wherever they occur. There is no way to legitimize the attacks last night. No one wants to see such things on our streets."
Hillary Benn, the UK's Minister of State for Northern Ireland, also commented on X, saying, "People are shocked by the attack in Belfast, but the police must be allowed to do their job so that justice can take its course. The scenes of violence seen in some parts of Northern Ireland only harm the community and endanger innocent lives."
Benn added, "Such acts of banditry cannot be justified in any way. I support the PSNI's call for calm to end the violence."
On June 8, in north Belfast, a person described as Sudanese and granted asylum status in 2023 seriously injured an Irish person by stabbing them in the face, eye, and back.
The 30-year-old attacker, who was stopped by nearby citizens using sticks, was arrested. While the incident drew condemnation from all segments of society, far-right groups made anti-immigrant statements and called for "mass deportations."