NORTHERN IRELAND REMAINS UNSETTLED: Anti-immigration protests in several cities, police used water cannons!

Police in Northern Ireland used water cannons to disperse demonstrators during the second night of anti-immigration protests in the Newtownabbey area, north of Belfast, after protesters set a vehicle on fire and attacked police with bricks and Molotov cocktails.

According to police, around 300 people gathered at the Sandyknowes roundabout, where barricades made of fencing, tires, furniture and containers were erected, and a van was also set on fire, The Guardian reported.

Police repeatedly warned those gathered to disperse before deploying water cannons.

During the unrest that erupted following a stabbing attack on Monday in Belfast, in which British citizen Stephen Ogilvie was seriously injured, one passerby was hurt after being struck in the head by a stone, while a police officer also sustained injuries.

Police deployed a water cannon against protesters throwing bricks in Belfast as anti-immigrant unrest sparked by a knife attack spread across Northern Ireland for a second consecutive day https://t.co/C3UH1QWcpv pic.twitter.com/qIGmvOhpkw
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 11, 2026

Both received medical treatment, and according to available information, the officer’s injuries are not serious.

Public transportation throughout Northern Ireland was suspended, and some schools were also closed. Many businesses in central Belfast shut down as early as noon.

Unrest was also reported in Derry and Coleraine, but on a smaller scale than the previous evening, when ethnic minorities were targeted following the stabbing in north Belfast.

The family of the injured man condemned the violence and called for an end to the spread of misinformation on social media, stating that Ogilvie is in stable condition and that the family’s sole focus is on his recovery.

“We are disgusted by the scenes that unfolded yesterday across Northern Ireland. We do not want this tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hatred — do not do it in the name of our loved one, because we do not share those values,” the family said in a statement released through the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Sky News reported.

Rioters continue to clash with police in portadown, northern Ireland, throwing petrol bombs at riot vans. One individual narrowly avoids serious injury in the process by nearly setting himself on fire. pic.twitter.com/ahLkmg2wsZ
— World Source News (@Worldsource24) June 10, 2026

Ministers of Northern Ireland’s executive also condemned the unrest, warning that the violence “spreads fear and endangers 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 a matter for the courts and justice must be allowed to take its course,” the ministers stated.

British Cabinet Office Minister Ruth Anderson said that 27 people had to leave their homes because “groups were going door-to-door targeting foreign nationals in an effort to drive them out.”

Anti-migration riots continue in Northern Ireland tonight pic.twitter.com/D6Jq2znTWz
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 10, 2026

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attacks as “completely unjustified” and pledged a firm response against anyone who “encourages this division.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the scenes were “deeply disturbing” and stated that “no one has the right to burn families in their homes.”

Police in Northern Ireland warned that inaccurate photographs are circulating on social media and are being falsely presented as images of the attack victim, saying the pictures are being used “to provoke fear and hatred.”

UK Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall asked regulator Ofcom to contact X and other social media platforms regarding content linked to the unrest.

The police have brought in water cannons against the anti-migration rioters in Northern Ireland tonight pic.twitter.com/PkCbkTm6c7
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 10, 2026

X owner Elon Musk has faced criticism over posts encouraging people to take to the streets.

On Tuesday, before demonstrators rampaged through Belfast searching for migrants, Musk shared a post by British far-right activist Tommy Robinson calling on people to go out into the streets.

“Only multiple and loud protests will bring about any change!” Musk wrote.

In a subsequent post, he said that “it is not social media that is fueling tensions.”

“It is not Elon Musk. It is not Nigel Farage. It is not the ‘far right.’ It is a very deliberate policy of mass uncontrolled immigration and open borders. This policy must end or it will destroy Western nations,” Musk said, adding that “nothing else matters if civilization collapses.”

The unrest partially spread to Scotland as well — in Glasgow, three people were arrested, while two police officers and three civilians were injured.

Hadi Alodid (30), a Sudanese national, appeared in court on Wednesday and was charged with attempted murder in connection with the stabbing attack that took place on Monday evening in north Belfast.

The victim, Stephen Ogilvie (40), lost his left eye, suffered damage to his right eye, and sustained injuries to his neck and back.