Police deploy water cannon during third night of unrest in Northern Ireland

Police in Northern Ireland used water cannon as unrest entered a third night, with violence spreading beyond Belfast and prompting fresh warnings from police and political leaders.

The disorder followed a stabbing case in Belfast that has fuelled anti-immigration anger and racially motivated attacks in several places. Coverage said the most serious scenes were near Newtownabbey, north of Belfast, where officers faced bricks, petrol bombs and burning debris as crowds gathered on Wednesday night.

Violence was also reported in Derry and Coleraine, widening what had begun as a local flashpoint into a broader public-order crisis. Police moved to disperse crowds after fires, vandalism and attacks on officers were reported.

How the unrest escalated

The unrest began after the stabbing of Stephen Ogilvie, who was seriously injured in Belfast. Hadi Alodid has been charged with attempted murder and carrying a knife.

Video and claims linked to the case circulated online and quickly became the focus of hostility. What followed was a second night of disorder, with attacks on police and damage to property reported before the violence intensified again on the third night.

By the latest night, police had brought in heavier public-order tactics, including water cannon, as the scale of the disorder increased and spread to more than one town. The use of that equipment underlined the seriousness of the unrest and the pressure on officers trying to contain it.

Damage, injuries and targets

At least one police officer and one civilian were reported injured. A truck was burned and other property damaged as protesters clashed with police.

Coverage also said crowds tried to attack a hotel believed to house migrants, reflecting the anti-immigration character of the unrest. Residents were reported to have been forced out or displaced when mobs targeted homes and other property.

The violence has been described in coverage as racially motivated, and officials have condemned the targeting of people and places believed to be linked to migrants. The disorder has also raised concern that it could prompt more retaliatory tension if it continues.

Calls for calm

Ogilvie’s family has appealed for calm, saying he should not be used to fuel hatred or division. Their appeal came as the disorder around the stabbing case continued to dominate public debate.

Northern Ireland political leaders and UK government ministers have also condemned the violence, describing it as dangerous and unacceptable. Police have said the situation remains under active investigation alongside the stabbing case itself.

The immediate outlook remains tense. Police are expected to keep a visible presence, and more arrests are possible as officers continue to respond to disorder and gather evidence.

Authorities are also likely to keep reviewing the stabbing investigation and the wider public-order response. If the violence persists, leaders and the victim’s family may again be forced to repeat calls for calm and restraint.