Nineteen now arrested over disorder with house targeted in arson

7 minutes ago

Claire QuinnBBC News NI

BBC

Incidents included an arson attack on a house in the Shore Road area of north Belfast on Thursday night

Nineteen people - including a 16-year-old-boy - have now been arrested following the violence in parts of Northern Ireland this week.

Last night was relatively quiet although police say an arson attack in north Belfast is linked to the disorder.

The fire service was called to the Shore Road last night where a blaze had been set at the rear of a house - there are no reports of injuries.

Police say they were also alerted to race-hate graffiti in the Dee Street and Newtownards Road area of east Belfast.

The PSNI say its policing operation will remain over the weekend to ensure public order is maintained.

Dr Mukesh Chugh has lived and worked as a doctor in Derry for more than 20 years.

Dr Mukesh Chugh

Dr Mukesh Chugh said some health care professionals from overseas have told him they are now questioning whether they should have come to Northern Ireland

"We hear especially from people who come from different nations and people of different colour - their houses are gone, their cars are gone, their windows are smashed," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"We're in a WhatsApp group and there are messages floating that a certain family has been made homeless overnight and they were a family with small kids.

"I believe that people are anxious, people are in fear and they need reassurance at this point."

The disorder was sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night was shared widely on social media.

Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old originally from Sudan, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempted murder over a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday that caused serious injuries to the victim, Stephen Ogilvie.

Police said 12 officers were injured and 16 people were arrested during Wednesday night's unrest.

Dr Chugh said: "We should not judge the whole immigrant community because of one act of violence done by some person in the street.

"Same goes for people who are on the roads – I don't believe they represent the good Northern Irish people.

"Violence cannot be the answer to violence.

"What it is going to do is create more victims."