Police Deploy Water Cannon on 200 Near Belfast as Violence Follows Eye-Loss Attack
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 10
Police Deploy Water Cannon on 200 Near Belfast as Violence Follows Eye-Loss Attack
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 10
Summary
About 200 people gathered at Sandyknowes roundabout outside Belfast, where police used water cannon after bricks and other objects were thrown and a derelict property was set on fire.
Wednesday's disorder was less severe than Tuesday night's unrest across several areas, while separate protests in Coleraine and at Stormont remained peaceful.
The protests were triggered by Monday's north Belfast attack on Stephen Ogilvie, who suffered serious injuries including the loss of an eye; a 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder.
Clean-up continued after Tuesday's violence, as politicians including Michelle O'Neill, Emma Little-Pengelly and Keir Starmer condemned the attacks and warned those responsible would face the law.
Ogilvie's family urged people not to use the attack to divide communities or fuel hostility, as residents described homes destroyed and the wider aftermath of the unrest.
Is this a return to The Troubles, or a new conflict fueled by global online hate?
When online incitement sparks real-world riots, who is ultimately responsible for the chaos?
Northern Ireland’s June 2026 Glengormley Riots: Stabbing, Far-Right Exploitation, and the Challenge of Social Cohesion
Overview
On June 10, 2026, Glengormley experienced significant unrest triggered by a profound tragedy. In response, Mr. Ogilvie's family made a heartfelt public statement, urging people not to use their loved one's death to create division or hostility. While Glengormley faced disorder, other protests in regions like Ballymena, Londonderry, and Antrim ended peacefully. The immediate aftermath in Glengormley was marked by the family's call for unity and restraint, highlighting a sharp contrast between local turmoil and broader calm. This sequence of events underscores how a single tragedy can spark unrest, but also inspire appeals for peace and solidarity.