Disorder across Northern Ireland reduced on Thursday night, but police reported a hate-motivated arson attack on a house in north Belfast and race-hate graffiti in the east of the city. Three people were arrested, bringing the total to 19 since violence erupted earlier in the week.

The unrest followed a knife attack on Monday in north Belfast when Stephen Ogilvie suffered serious injuries, including the loss of an eye. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese national, has been charged with attempted murder.

On Thursday evening, protests were largely peaceful, including a gathering in Newtownabbey. However, a house on Shore Road was set alight in an attack police are treating as a hate crime. The property was unoccupied, but two neighbouring properties were damaged. Race-hate graffiti was reported in the Dee Street and Newtownards Road areas of east Belfast. A vehicle was damaged in Taughmonagh, south Belfast, and a 27-year-old man was arrested after a stone was thrown at a police vehicle in Newtownabbey.

In Londonderry, a 16-year-old male was arrested for riotous behaviour on Wednesday night. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the policing operation would remain over the weekend. Of the 19 arrests made so far, some have already been charged to court.

The violence has caused deep unease among Northern Ireland’s migrant and ethnic-minority communities, particularly healthcare workers. Dr Mukesh Chugh, who has worked in Derry for over 20 years, said some colleagues now question whether they should have come to Northern Ireland. Trevor Lucy, chair of Unison’s Foyle Health Branch, said staff have been afraid to leave their homes.

Pastor Jack McKee, who helped families flee homes on the Crumlin Road on Tuesday, said one nurse has left Northern Ireland for England and six drivers left on Thursday because they felt unsafe.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt visited the Mater Hospital in Belfast to show solidarity with healthcare workers. The health minister said the system would collapse without international staff.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service attended 26 incidents on Thursday evening, including the Shore Road fire. Translink reported bus and rail services were returning to normal after earlier suspensions.

Mr Ogilvie remains in a coma, but his condition is improving. His family has called for calm and urged that the attack not be used to divide communities.