A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and making threats to kill following a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night. The accused, confirmed as a Sudanese national, is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on Kinnaird Avenue shortly after 10.30pm on 8 June. A man in his 40s sustained serious injuries to his eyes, face, neck and back and remains in hospital in a serious condition.

Members of the public intervened during the attack, with one man, identified as Maitiu Mág Tighearnán, using a hurling stick to strike the assailant. Police praised the bravery of those who stepped in before officers arrived and arrested the suspect.

On Tuesday evening, anti-immigration protests led to disorder in several parts of Northern Ireland. In east Belfast, a Glider bus was set alight on the Newtownards Road. Vehicles were torched and bins set on fire in other areas, and masked protesters blocked roads. Translink suspended all bus services in and out of Belfast.

Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said sporadic pockets of disorder had broken out and urged calm. He warned against a repeat of the destructive disorder seen in communities in recent years. The PSNI increased its visible presence across Northern Ireland.

Political leaders from the five main Stormont parties issued a joint statement condemning the knife attack as horrific brutality. They called for space to allow justice to take its course, praised the bravery of those who intervened, and urged the public not to share graphic footage of the incident.

The Home Office confirmed the suspect is a Sudanese national who entered the UK in 2023 via the Common Travel Area. He flew from Paris to Dublin and then travelled by bus to Belfast, claiming asylum on arrival. He was granted refugee status later that year with leave to remain until 2028. Police said there was no indication the attack was terror-related and the suspect was not on any security databases.

Anyone with information or footage is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference 1654 08/06/26.