A man who was brutally attacked in a shocking incident that was captured on video and led to unrest in Northern Ireland has lost his left eye. The suspect, a Sudanese national, was officially named as he appeared in court on Wednesday.
Stephen Ogilvie, believed to be 44 years old, sustained severe injuries to both eyes after an alleged attempt on his life by Hadi Alodid, a 30-year-old Sudanese migrant, late on Monday night. The gruesome nature of the attack was reported by The Sun.
Disturbing footage of the incident showed Ogilvie pinned down by the assailant, while a witness, clearly distressed, can be heard exclaiming, “He’s trying to cut his head off. He’s slicing his head off.”
Alodid’s identity was revealed as he appeared in a Belfast courtroom on Wednesday, facing charges of attempted murder and possession of a weapon.
Authorities apprehended Alodid shortly after the attack. Upon his arrest, he reportedly informed emergency responders, “I have killed someone. I don’t know if they are dead.”
According to The Sun, a detective disclosed that the suspect also made threats towards medical staff treating his hand injury from the incident, allegedly stating, “I will kill you.”
The migrant — who reportedly exploited a legal loophole to get into the UK — is also accused of making a threat to kill a radiographer on the same day as Monday’s attack, the hearing was told.
Alodid appeared on video and stayed silent during the hearing. He was denied bail and will next appear in court on July 8.
The stabbing sparked riots across Northern Ireland Tuesday night – with masked protesters hurling petrol bombs at cops and setting homes and cars alight.
Michelle O’Neill, Northern Ireland’s First Minister, said “groups of masked men burning families out of their homes is nothing less than disgusting cowardice,” branding it “outright thuggery.”
The barbaric attack was branded “medieval” by Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson, who called for Alodid to be “convicted and deported on the first flight out.”
