Belfast another appalling attack, we need to ask what is driving this.

The hero who battered the knife man was named as Matt McKiernan. He and his friend had taken a short cut to a garage and came across the attack.

He should definitely be recognised for his bravery.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Casdon

People may be just as appalled by a brutal murder by a white British person TerriBull, but how often does such a murder make the headlines of a Gransnet post and receive so many comments?

Sarah Everard, which admittedly was such an extreme case by its very nature and because by who her murderer was.

I think there was a thread about the recent murder of Ian Huntley in prison, some saying "good riddance" others expressing a certain amount of horror in spite of his crimes.

There was also a thread about the rape of the girl in Fordingbridge expressing anger at the non custodial sentence and the appalling nature of it.

I'm sure there have been others, but those are off the top of my head.

At times its almost like night following day knowing there will be a comment of "what about rapes/murders committed by white men? why aren't you mentioning those" Well yes! and there will be so many more because those men are predominate. That doesn't mitigate that there are people who have been given leave to stay here who are committing crimes of a violent and sexual nature to add to those already committed by the criminal element of our indigenous population and for whom we don't have enough prison places or mental health services to facilitate them.

I think there is an overwhelming feeling from the general public lets not add to their number.

TerriBull

Casdon

People may be just as appalled by a brutal murder by a white British person TerriBull, but how often does such a murder make the headlines of a Gransnet post and receive so many comments?

Sarah Everard, which admittedly was such an extreme case by its very nature and because by who her murderer was.

I think there was a thread about the recent murder of Ian Huntley in prison, some saying "good riddance" others expressing a certain amount of horror in spite of his crimes.

There was also a thread about the rape of the girl in Fordingbridge expressing anger at the non custodial sentence and the appalling nature of it.

I'm sure there have been others, but those are off the top of my head.

At times its almost like night following day knowing there will be a comment of "what about rapes/murders committed by white men? why aren't you mentioning those" Well yes! and there will be so many more because those men are predominate. That doesn't mitigate that there are people who have been given leave to stay here who are committing crimes of a violent and sexual nature to add to those already committed by the criminal element of our indigenous population and for whom we don't have enough prison places or mental health services to facilitate them.

I think there is an overwhelming feeling from the general public lets not add to their number.

👏👏👏👏

Kyle Clifford's murder of his ex-girlfriend, her sister and her mother made plenty of headlines at the time, because it reached a new low for vengeance..
Annabel Rook's murder by her partner made headlines, not front page, but that is because so many women are murdered by their partners, for threatening to leave them, after suffering repeated violence they have concealed from their families. Too common now to grab much attention.

And I am saddened when a photograph of a group of people holding the union flag is immediately assumed to be instigated by Tommy Robinson .

Yes, it is sad that Yaxkey-Lennon is able to misuse a national symbol in this way.

TerriBull

Casdon

People may be just as appalled by a brutal murder by a white British person TerriBull, but how often does such a murder make the headlines of a Gransnet post and receive so many comments?

Sarah Everard, which admittedly was such an extreme case by its very nature and because by who her murderer was.

I think there was a thread about the recent murder of Ian Huntley in prison, some saying "good riddance" others expressing a certain amount of horror in spite of his crimes.

There was also a thread about the rape of the girl in Fordingbridge expressing anger at the non custodial sentence and the appalling nature of it.

I'm sure there have been others, but those are off the top of my head.

At times its almost like night following day knowing there will be a comment of "what about rapes/murders committed by white men? why aren't you mentioning those" Well yes! and there will be so many more because those men are predominate. That doesn't mitigate that there are people who have been given leave to stay here who are committing crimes of a violent and sexual nature to add to those already committed by the criminal element of our indigenous population and for whom we don't have enough prison places or mental health services to facilitate them.

I think there is an overwhelming feeling from the general public lets not add to their number.

There is no proportionality in the assignment of blame though TerriBull. None of us want to see anybody kill anybody else. The reality is that we have illegal migration, we always have had, and to a greater, or lesser extent we always will. It’s what happens when as a country you have more than other people do.

No it doesn't mitigate those crimes Tuliptree, but we are allowed to query the number of Threads highlighting certain types of criminals, but not others.

None of these situations are helped by rioting.

The rioting is caused, in part, by irresponsible and awful people on social media’s sharing both videos of events and misinformation.

My husband is Irish, (Southern) his previous partner was from Belfast, these riots and attacks following the stabbing must chill some of these residents to the core, so reminiscent of “the troubles”.

In my opinion it’s appalling enough to have a stabbing in one’s community to compound this with rioting, damaging people and property and even set fire to peoples home is simply atrocious.

Primrose53

We need to remember that the poor man who was very nearly beheaded has lost an eye and has other very serious injuries and his life will never be the same again. That is where my sympathies lie. I have none whatsoever for the alleged assailant who is an absolute monster.

People need to stop making excuses for him and concentrate on the poor victim.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

He's now in a coma how sad.

Cossy

None of these situations are helped by rioting.

The rioting is caused, in part, by irresponsible and awful people on social media’s sharing both videos of events and misinformation.

My husband is Irish, (Southern) his previous partner was from Belfast, these riots and attacks following the stabbing must chill some of these residents to the core, so reminiscent of “the troubles”.

In my opinion it’s appalling enough to have a stabbing in one’s community to compound this with rioting, damaging people and property and even set fire to peoples home is simply atrocious.

They certainly aren’t rioting in the interest of the victims. The victim’s family have made it quite clear that they don’t want riots, and don’t see them as any kind of answer.

Primrose53

We need to remember that the poor man who was very nearly beheaded has lost an eye and has other very serious injuries and his life will never be the same again. That is where my sympathies lie. I have none whatsoever for the alleged assailant who is an absolute monster.

People need to stop making excuses for him and concentrate on the poor victim.

The heading for this thread includes "we need to ask what is driving this."

That is begging the question which asks for a reason. Nobody can know what drives attacks such as this one without asking why it happened. What was going on inside the attackers head? What motivated him?

A reason isn't the same as an excuse. If we want to know why, we have to have a reason.

It hardly matters why….you can ask that question of any violent attack or murder but the fact is they did it.Could be any reason, they are a sociopath/ have a quick temper/feel insulted/ and so on.Some people don’t even need a reason to do violent things.
He did it and must pay the price.

Oreo

It hardly matters why….you can ask that question of any violent attack or murder but the fact is they did it.Could be any reason, they are a sociopath/ have a quick temper/feel insulted/ and so on.Some people don’t even need a reason to do violent things.
He did it and must pay the price.

Of course it matters why. In fact that informs things like the actual crime charged, degree of culpability, sentencing.

Of course it matters 'why'.
And asking that, does not stop him from paying for his crime.

27 people, including a two month old baby are homeless as a result of the firebombing of their homes in the riots last night. I’ve just seen that the names and addresses of others are being circulated online, so they can be targeted too. It must be terrifying for them.

A senior NI politician said that those who were spurring people on to riot probably don’t even know where Belfast is on the map and those who took to the streets in their bother boots and balaclavas were only interested in causing damage and injury, and seemed more than ready for it, I very much doubt that any of them were thinking of the poor innocent victim but rather of the hatred they feel towards any immigrant/asylum seeker.

Oreo I truly believe the “why” is important, as it might help to prevent another person carrying out such an atrocity.

I agree with the rest of your statement.

Maremia

Of course it matters 'why'.
And asking that, does not stop him from paying for his crime.

I disagree.
It doesn’t help society to know why people do things, commit violent crimes.It can be anything at all, so many reasons and none.
It used to be thought that poverty drove people to violent crime but I believe that was disproven years ago.
Carrying a knife means you’re likely to use it whenever you get angry or defensive and the police need to step up stop and search and not be hamstrung by cries of racism.

Casdon this is an appalling situation, and (imo) it’s simply the rent-a-thug crowd, the kind who are spurred on by the thought of a good fight and motivated by online posts.

Anyone who cared a jot for the victims or was worried or anxious about the original attacks, would simply not react in this way.

Next we will see them marching in white hood, carrying burning crosses and hanging people from trees.

It’s all so bloody awful.

I really think Cossy that it won’t help it happening again.
Murders and violent attacks are often carried out for reasons of jealousy/ envy/anger/ frustration/ financial/MH and other reasons and knowing the exact reason has never stopped it happening again has it?

Oreo

I really think Cossy that it won’t help it happening again.
Murders and violent attacks are often carried out for reasons of jealousy/ envy/anger/ frustration/ financial/MH and other reasons and knowing the exact reason has never stopped it happening again has it?

You make a good point, but in that case the last part of the OP is redundant. There is no reason this latest attack happened - or the one by the Sikh, for that matter. I have absolutely no idea what the motive for either was.

Cossy

Casdon this is an appalling situation, and (imo) it’s simply the rent-a-thug crowd, the kind who are spurred on by the thought of a good fight and motivated by online posts.

Anyone who cared a jot for the victims or was worried or anxious about the original attacks, would simply not react in this way.

Next we will see them marching in white hood, carrying burning crosses and hanging people from trees.

It’s all so bloody awful.

It really is scarey. I think you're right.

Oreo

Maremia

Of course it matters 'why'.
And asking that, does not stop him from paying for his crime.

I disagree.
It doesn’t help society to know why people do things, commit violent crimes.It can be anything at all, so many reasons and none.
It used to be thought that poverty drove people to violent crime but I believe that was disproven years ago.
Carrying a knife means you’re likely to use it whenever you get angry or defensive and the police need to step up stop and search and not be hamstrung by cries of racism.

I haven't seen that racism (or "cries of racism") affected the handling of the latest case. You're the one saying that the reason doesn't matter, so maybe it should be left as "attempted murder (reason unknown)", but that wouldn't justify (in their own minds) all the disgusting violent protests.