Police use water cannon against rioters in Northern Ireland

Police have used water cannon against rioters in Northern Ireland during a second night of anti-immigration protests.

It dispersed a crowd of about 300 people who burned a truck. threw bricks and petrol bombs close to the Sandyknowes roundabout near Newtownabbey, eight miles north of Belfast.

Unrest was also reported in Derry. Coleraine but overall there were fewer disturbances than on Tuesday, when mobs targeted ethnic minorities after a knife attack in north Belfast left a man severely injured on Monday night.

Several advertised protests, including one at Belfast City Hall, failed to materialise on Wednesday evening. A protest at Stormont, the seat of the devolved government, drew several dozen people and passed off peacefully.

The family of the stabbing victim, Stephen Ogilvie, condemned the violent protests and appealed for an end to misinformation. “We have witnessed a lot of false information circulating on social media which is now forcing us to clarify that our loved one is in fact in a stable condition,. we are solely focused on his recovery at this time,” the family said in a statement issued via police.

​The statement expressed disgust at the scenes of violent disorder. “We want to make it absolutely clear that to do this in response is not supported by our family,. peaceful protest is only ever the way forward.”

Many of the protesters at the Sandyknowes roundabout wore dark clothing. face coverings, and reportedly planned to target a nearby hotel that was believed to host migrants.

Demonstrators tore up a garden fence to use as a barricade. shield – and used tyres, furniture and wheelie bins to start a large fire. A white van was driven into the flames reportedly by a man who left it in gear, and jumped out. Police tried to extinguish the flames.

One onlooker was given first aid after being hit on the head by a flying rock. taken to hospital by ambulance. One police officer was also struck on the head, but not believed to be seriously injured.

“Attention. attention, disperse immediately or water cannon will be used, no further warnings will be given,” blared from the police vehicles at the roundabout at Newtownabbey.

An older woman, seated at a bus stop between the police. protesters, pulled up her hood to shield herself from the water. “She said she’s lived through the Troubles, she’s not going to move,” another woman said.

A group of spectators gathered in a nearby park to watch. some filming the violence, with one rioter shouting: “Put your fucking phones away or you’re fucking next.”

Ministers in the Stormont executive issued a joint statement condemning Tuesday night’s disorder, saying it had spread fear. risked innocent lives. “No community benefits from these actions. The incident in north Belfast on Monday was deeply shocking. While we understand the strength of feeling about what happened, it is now subject to legal proceedings. justice must be allowed to run its course.”

Hadi Alodid, 30, of Duncairn Avenue, Belfast, was charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie. He was further charged with possessing a knife in a public place, Kinnaird Avenue, on the same day.

The ministers’ statement said people were intent on wreaking destruction on the communities they claimed they were trying to protect.

“They are weaponising the genuine hurt, concern and anger that people are feeling for their own misguided purposes,” it said.