Belfast protest live: Bus set on fire as protesters gather after 'brutal' stabbing

Belfast protest live: Bus set on fire as protesters gather after 'brutal' stabbing Protesters have set fire to a bus in east Belfast during an anti-immigration demonstration - follow our live updates Angry protesters have taken to the streets in Belfast on Tuesday evening following a stabbing in the north of the city on Monday night. Crowds gathered in response to the video footage of a man being stabbed in his head and back. Vehicles have been torched, roads blocked by masked protesters and a large police presence deployed. Earlier today, a 30-year-old man was charged with attempted murder. The accused, who is Sudanese, is also charged with possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday when he is expected to be be named. The victim of the attack, a man aged in his 40s, remains in a serious condition in hospital receiving treatment for serious eye, face and back wounds. Key Events Peter McReynolds, Alliance party assembly member for East Belfast, says he is "disgusted" at the "destruction and violence" on the Newtownards Road after a Gilder bus was set on fire. Posting to Facebook, McReynolds says: "This serves no one, changes nothing and damages our community. "Thoughts with the Glider staff, our community in fear this evening during this destruction and our under pressure PSNI officers facing down this violence this evening." A fire crew has reportedly been forced to leave an area of Belfast after they were approached by a masked man. Crews reportedly left an incident close to Lanyon Place after a masked man approached the fire appliance with a weapon, according to the Belfast Telegraph. Two cars have been set on fire in Cloughfern, according to a photographer at the Belfast Telegraph. Roughly three hundred people are understood to have gathered on the Shankhill Road by 8pm. One woman was heard saying: "Can we all say the Lord’s Prayer for the victim of this crime?" through a megaphone. The crowd joined in to recite the prayer. Soon after, groups of men balaclavas were seen rushing into a house, attacking the windows with bricks, and setting a car alight. At a press conference at Stormont this afternoon, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher briefed reporters on the status of the investigation. Commenting on the prospect of disorder, the police chief warned people against being influenced "from afar through social media". "There will be an increased police presence across Northern Ireland this evening and in the coming days to provide help, support, and reassurance for all our communities, and to keep everybody safe," he said. "There is considerable posting on social media. I appeal for everyone to be mindful of what they view and share online. Sharing footage risks causing further trauma to the injured man’s family and loved ones, and may impact on this investigation. "We are aware, of course, of protest activity being discussed across Northern Ireland this evening, and we continue to monitor this very carefully. "And I understand that last night’s attempted murder will leave people feeling enraged with emotions from fear to anger, but please, please let the PSNI, let the police do their job unfettered and undistracted by wider concerns there may be about disorder." Northern Ireland's public transport operator Translink has said: "We utterly condemn this attack on our service. "The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority and all Metro, Glider, Ulsterbus and Goldliner services (operating in and out of Belfast) have been suspended. "We are liaising closely with the PSNI and will continue to follow their guidance." Thick smoke has been pictured rising over Belfast after a Glider bus was set on fire by protesters. A Telehandler has been set on fire by protesters as crowds continue to surge in Belfast Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier condemned the attack. "The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening," he said. "I have absolutely no tolerance for abhorrent scenes of violence like this on our streets. My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim, and I thank the first responders, including members of the public who intervened." People in Belfast are protesting in response to a knife attack in the city yesterday night. A 30-year-old man has been charged on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the attack. The man, who is Sudanese, is also charged with possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill. The victim of the attack, a man aged in his 40s, remained in a serious condition in hospital today receiving treatment for serious eye, face and back wounds. Police said the suspect entered Northern Ireland across the Irish border in February 2023 having flown to Dublin from Paris. He claimed asylum upon arrival and in September 2023 was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028. There has been widespread condemnation of the knife assault. Police commanders and political leaders appealed for calm amid fears that anti-immigration protests planned in Northern Ireland this evening could turn violent. Things appear to be heating up in Belfast, with images showing protesters clashing with police and throwing objects at police vans. The man who confronted the attacker with a hurling stick last night has been identified as Maitie Mag Toghearnan. A man has set up a GoFundMe page to show "support to Matt for his incredible bravery and courage". A 30-year-old man arrested in connection with the stabbing attack last night has been charged with attempted murder. He has also been charged with possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and threats to kill. He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court tomorrow, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has said. Protesters have set fire to a Glider bus on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast as disorder flared at an anti-immigration demonstration organised in response to yesterday's stabbing attack in the city.