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

GrannyGravy13

TerriBull I agree.

We have enough of our own grown criminals, we really do not need any from other countries.

They come here for a safe refuge, why oh why do some go on to commit the most heinous crimes?

Exactly this, the reason I started the thread.

Why?

Some work is available to asylum seekers with leave to remain but perhaps the day was very long for the attacker? Does the government need to ensure the adequate mental health of asylum seekers with appropriate care and activities/work? If not the government, then who is responsible?

Maremia

That's why some Posters are looking at 'reasons'.

Only to be immediately accused of 'making excuses' for the assailant if they suggest any possible 'reasons'.

Maremia

Just a point of information, the stick used to ward off the attacker was a hurling stick, used in the games of hurling and camogie, played locally.
Info from a newspaper account.

I still have my Mum’s camogie stick. She played for her county. It can be a very effective weapon.

Silvershadow

It is very clear on the video that the attacker isn’t Irish. All newspapers are reporting the attacker as a Somali.

How is it "very clear" the person isn't Irish? Is he waving documents that say that?

DaisyAnneReturns

Silvershadow

It is very clear on the video that the attacker isn’t Irish. All newspapers are reporting the attacker as a Somali.

How is it "very clear" the person isn't Irish? Is he waving documents that say that?

It was very clear because he wasn’t a white man with black hair, blue eyes and a strong Northern Irish accent I presume. I’d bet that some of the families firebombed out of their homes also didn’t meet that very clear criteria, even though they were Irish citizens.

Why is the identity of the victim not given out?

Boz

Why is the identity of the victim not given out?

Just seen this in the Times

Hadi Alodid was charged on Wednesday for the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvy, who lost his left eye in the attack

Ogilvy sound Irish.

I feel the awful scenes we have seen in Belfast have been stirred up by those with a particular agenda and I am afraid I think race does come into it. I have just read that in May 2026, a 19-year-old Bristol neo-Nazi, Alina Burns, was jailed for 19 years and six months for attempting to behead a Kurdish barber with an axe in Bedminster, Bristol, in August 2025. The victim survived by wrestling the weapon away. I don’t remember any big outcry or riots taking place after this event.

It’s very clear in that he has been granted asylum to stay till 2028 Casdon so he’s not Irish then.

I think that’s what the poster meant by saying it’s very clear.

Alleged knifeman 'threatened NHS worker'

Alodid, 30, told radiographer ‘I’ll kill you’ after stabbing, court hears.

He was actually granted leave to remain with refugee status FriedGreenTomaties2, which is a different category.

I don’t think that’s what was meant by Silvershadow though, if you read her exact words, because you can’t see on a video if somebody is an asylum seeker, refugee or Irish citizen, you can only see their colour and hear their voice.

Reasons are not the same as excuses.

If you can get to the reason behind a behaviour, you, (society), are better equipped to prevent/moderate/intercept the undesirable behavior.
Do not understand why anyone should have an issue with that.

Nandalot, one of the Ulster politicians said on the BBC News this morning, that certain people are selecting which acts of violence to be 'outraged' by.

I hope your leader was taking charge and not just issuing platitudes. Presumably he put in an appearance there ?

The murderer who tried to kill a helpless individual didn’t do it because he is Sudanese. We live in London alongside, Sudanese neighbours and business owners was and neighbours and business owners from every point in the compass, none to my knowledge are roaming the streets with a kitchen knife looking for a victim because they are predisposed to murder innocent civilians. Many now will live in fear of a violent backlash by the far right, many are subject to racist remarks and attacks already.
Obviously uncontrolled immigration is a problem but vetting asylum seekers for any criminal activity or a predisposition to rape/murder is nigh on impossible and with any large cohort of people anywhere there will be bad eggs in the mix.
Responding to crimes committed by those awarded asylum with violent thuggery where both innocent people and police are targeted is a disgrace in a so called civilised society. We should be better than that. And not fall prey to the likes of Elon Musk/Lennon or Farage who will stir a hate filled pot.

Uncontrolled immigration isn’t ’just a problem’ anymore. It’s front and centre of what bothers so many people. The infrastructure isn’t available to cope and for starters we are NOT a world health centre. All this is costing a King’s ransom. So … Those of us who feel their voices aren’t being listened to will vote accordingly at the next GE that’s for sure.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Uncontrolled immigration isn’t ’just a problem’ anymore. It’s front and centre of what bothers so many people. The infrastructure isn’t available to cope and for starters we are NOT a world health centre. All this is costing a King’s ransom. So … Those of us who feel their voices aren’t being listened to will vote accordingly at the next GE that’s for sure.

Voting is your democratic right but am not talking about people voting am talking about people resorting to violence. This is totally unacceptable.

You got that spot on FGT. The Govt are not listening to people who have genuine concerns and when that happens there will be those who react.

Primrose53

You got that spot on FGT. The Govt are not listening to people who have genuine concerns and when that happens there will be those who react.

A lot of people have genuine concerns, some are fuming about the cost of living crisis, unaffordable housing, or business costs that now mean small independent businesses are folding and people are losing their livelihoods. And the government doesn’t seem to be doing much about any of that either.
So should we all react by taking to the streets burning innocent people’s homes down and attacking the police??
Is this the new norm?

There are no excuses.

The poor man attacked has lost his left eye and has damage to his right one😢
This means major changes to his life.
I feel so terribly sad forever him and his family and friends. He worked for NHS and it will probably mean the loss of his job. The perpetrator certainly has a lot to answer for !! 😡🤬

There is no excuse whatsoever for any sort of violent reaction if and when incidents like this occur. What sort of people are these who must wait for the command of Robinson and his kind ? Do they work , do they have families, do they teach their children this deep hatred they have for anyone who isn't exactly like them ?So it goes on but we should not move away from the point that there is never any excuse for this uncivilised behaviour.

I think the radiographer was another person he attacked travelsafar, and the victim was a vulnerable adult, not an NHS worker, if I’ve understood correctly. I don’t know if the radiographer was trying to help the victim, but there were two separate charges.