Conor McGregor has called for an immediate ban on immigration from the “third world” and the removal of “all illegal entrants” from Ireland and the UK, as Belfast descended into a second night of violent disorder following a stabbing attack linked to a Sudanese migrant — with riots spreading to London, Glasgow and Southampton and Elon Musk urging people to protest “repeatedly and loudly.”
The UFC star posted on X the day after the attack, writing that “inviting and financing mentally deranged people from the 3rd world is a hard no” and calling on authorities to “close the borders” and remove migrants who “cannot come here any longer.” His comments came in response to Monday night’s attack on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast, in which Hadi Alodid — a Sudanese national who crossed from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland by bus three years ago, claimed asylum immediately on arrival in Belfast and was granted a five-year refugee visa by the Home Office a few months later — allegedly stabbed Stephen Ogilvie repeatedly in the face, neck and back. Ogilvie, an NHS radiographer in his 40s who lived in the same block of social housing as the suspect, has since lost his left eye. Alodid has been charged with attempted murder and remanded in custody.
The circumstances of Alodid’s arrival have fuelled intense political controversy. He entered Northern Ireland legally under the longstanding arrangement that means no passport checks are conducted at the Irish border, taking a bus from Dublin to Belfast before immediately claiming asylum. The Home Office confirmed the details under mounting pressure for answers.
The stabbing triggered a night of serious disorder across Belfast on Tuesday, with masked men in black clothing setting fire to homes, cars, a bus and a Middle Eastern supermarket. Infants were filmed being carried from neighbouring houses as flames engulfed properties. Protesters were reported to be targeting houses in multiple occupation — properties which some claim are being used to house migrants at public expense. PSNI assistant chief constable Ryan Henderson warned that disorder “damages communities, damages local businesses and brings young people into the criminal justice system.”
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill condemned what she called “outright thuggery,” saying groups of masked men burning families from their homes represented “nothing less than disgusting cowardice.” She acknowledged the original attack was “heinous and wrong” but insisted there was “no excuse and no justification for these attacks tonight.” Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said violence “does not advance any cause, it damages it.” Former First Minister Arlene Foster said the genuine fears of working-class communities about immigration had been “overshadowed” by the riots.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the disorder in the strongest terms. “The scenes in Belfast last night were shocking and completely unacceptable. It is clear that people were targeted last night because of their background and I will not tolerate it. Those responsible will feel the full force of the law,” he said.
The violence spread beyond Northern Ireland. Anti-immigrant protests took place in London, Glasgow and Southampton on Tuesday night. Elon Musk added fuel to the fire on X, writing: “Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change.” Tommy Robinson shared graphics on social media urging nationwide protest at 7pm, with the caption “The whole of the United Kingdom is hitting the streets tonight following yet another invader attack on our people,” and also reposted a message urging protesters to leave their phones at home.
McGregor, who met Donald Trump at the White House last year to raise what he described as the “travesty” of illegal immigration in Ireland, has been one of the most prominent celebrity voices on the issue for over a year. He has previously claimed Ireland is close to “potentially losing its Irishness” due to what he described as an “illegal immigration racket ravaging our country.”
