Council First Citizens call for ‘calm and peaceful protests’

Large public protests were held following the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie in north Belfast with Sudanese man Hadi Alodid, 30, now charged in court with the knife attack.

In Lisburn and Castlereagh City a large protest, understood to be about 1,000 people in the city centre, passed off peacefully.

Mayor Brian Higginson said: "The peaceful protest in Lisburn highlighted the strength of feeling that exists within our community on a range of important issues.

“Everyone has the right to protest and make their views known, but it is vital that this is done peacefully and within the law.

“I want to commend the community leaders, elected representatives and others who showed leadership throughout the evening and helped ensure the protest remained peaceful.

“While people are entitled to hold strong views, the way to bring about change is through democratic means, not violence.

“Violence has no place in Lisburn and serves only to damage communities.”

In Kilkeel, a Presbyterian charity shop went on fire when a car set a ablaze rolled into the front of the building where a man and his daughter are said to live in a flat above it.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council chairperson, Glyn Hanna spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, saying: “This could have been a tragic fatality.

“A car had been set on fire in the street and it then rolled in to the charity shop, which is actually run by the Mourne Presbyterian Church.

“Even though the charity shop helps people out in Africa I do not believe it was deliberately targeted, but more of a random incident when the car on fire rolled out of control.

“This had been a peaceful protest. My colleague Henry Reilly spoke to the gathering of people and prayed for the victim of the attack.

“I arrived home from Belfast later and joined the gathering to show my support.

“I am disappointed after I left the peaceful protest quite a bit of disorder took place and damage to a charity shop from a burning car took place.

“The violent behaviour is totally unacceptable and does not achieve anything. I call for calm, and peaceful protest is the only way ahead.

“I am so relieved no one was hurt. This could have turned out worse and I thank God everyone is safe.

“I really feel for those in the charity shop who volunteer to help others.

“This is a disaster as I am sure a lot of stock has been lost. I hope the community will help this charity recover.”

The LDRS contacted the PSNI for comment. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said: “Sporadic pockets of disorder have broken out in a number of locations across Northern Ireland, including incidents in which a number of vehicles have been set on fire.

“We are urging everyone to remain calm, act responsibly, and avoid any activity that could place themselves or others at risk.

“We are again appealing for calm and ask all voices of influence within local communities to encourage peaceful protest and discourage any involvement in violence or disorder.”