The victim of the attempted beheading in north Belfast has been identified as Stephen Ogilvie, believed to be 44, who suffered devastating injuries to his eyes, neck and back in a frenzied knife attack that sparked the worst civil disorder the city has seen in years — with homes, buses, cars and bins set ablaze overnight as masked rioters took to the streets.
Ogilvie, who has lived in a first-floor flat in the Kinnaird Avenue area for around a year and a half, was photographed for the first time as harrowing details emerged of the scale of his injuries. Footage that circulated widely on social media appeared to show the attacker repeatedly slashing at his face and neck as horrified onlookers screamed “Get off” and witnesses shouted “He’s trying to cut his head off.” Police have confirmed he suffered significant eye injuries alongside slash wounds to his neck and back. A kitchen knife has been recovered from the scene.
The attack was only brought to an end after brave members of the public intervened, most notably young father Maitiu Mág Tighearnán — known as Matt — who had just returned home from a night out when he stumbled upon the attack unfolding outside. He grabbed a wooden hurley stick and charged at the knifeman, helping to overpower him before officers arrived. Police later said the actions of the public and responding officers had “undoubtedly” saved Ogilvie’s life.
A 30-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place and threats to kill. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. Police identified the suspect as a Sudanese asylum seeker who arrived in Belfast in February 2023 and was later granted leave to remain in the UK. Residents said he had only moved into a neighbouring block of the same 36-flat housing association complex a matter of days before the assault.
A neighbour who gave his name only as Hugh, 70, told The Sun he had seen the commotion from his window and felt sick watching it unfold. “I’ve heard Stephen was the victim. He’s lived here for around a year and a half and has been a bit of a nuisance, but what’s happened to him is absolutely horrendous and I’d never wish that on anybody.” Hugh added that around seven asylum seekers had moved into the block over the past year.
The attack triggered a night of serious disorder across Belfast. A Glider bus on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast was set alight, forcing Translink to suspend Metro and Glider services until further notice. Cars were torched on residential streets and driveways, causing three houses to catch fire. A tractor was also engulfed in flames elsewhere in the city. Masked men in dark tracksuits and balaclavas were seen throwing red and orange smoke flares as police set up barricades and deployed riot vans across multiple flashpoints. Homes, bins and other vehicles were also set ablaze throughout the night as the disorder spread across the city — prompting Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill to condemn the rioters as “thugs” carrying out “disgusting cowardice” who had no connection to any legitimate community response.
