Water Cannons Used in Second Night of Northern Ireland Unrest Near Belfast
Riot police used water cannons against demonstrators near Belfast during a second night of unrest in Northern Ireland. Protesters, many masked, threw projectiles and lit fires, prompting police action. The disorder follows an alleged knife attack and anti-immigration protests, leading to charges and arrests.
Riot police deployed water cannons against demonstrators who lit fires and threw projectiles near Belfast, marking a second night of unrest in Northern Ireland. Dozens of masked men, dressed in black, gathered on Antrim Road in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, throwing objects at police vehicles.
Anti-immigration protesters attempted to march to the Chimney Corner Hotel. Police fired two water cannons near the Sandyknowes roundabout in Newtownabbey, approximately 13km northwest of Belfast city centre, targeting demonstrators who had set street fires. Masked individuals were observed tearing bricks from properties and smashing paving stones to create projectiles, and lighting fires in wheelie bins.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) advised motorists to avoid the Sandyknowes Roundabout area due to ongoing disorder and missile throwing, confirming water cannon deployment. Disorder was also reported in Derry and at the Ardmore Road at the Church Brae junction.
The unrest began after an alleged knife attack in Belfast on Monday night. Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese man, was charged today with attempted murder, knife possession, and making threats to kill a hospital radiographer. Yesterday, anti-immigration protests in Belfast involved homes and a bus being set alight. Two men appeared in court today charged with rioting, and an 18-year-old was arrested on suspicion of riot after two officers were injured by a petrol bomb in Carrickfergus.