North Belfast knife attack: Man in 30s charged with attempted murder

North Belfast knife attack: Man in 30s charged with attempted murder He also faces charges of possession of an article with blade or point in a public place and threats to kill 19:05, 09 Jun 2026 Updated 19:21, 09 Jun 2026 A man has been charged with attempted murder following a knife attack in North Belfast . The incident took place in the Kinnaird Avenue area on the evening of Monday, June 8. A 30-year-old, who is believed to be a Sudanese national who was given leave to remain in the UK until 2028, was arrested at the scene. The victim, aged in his 40s, was left with serious injuries to his eyes, back and face after he was slashed with a kitchen knife in a residential area. A brief statement from the PSNI said: "Detectives investigating a knife attack in the Kinnaird Avenue area of North Belfast on Monday June 8 have charged a 30-year-old man with attempted murder, 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 on Wednesday, June 10. As is normal procedure all charges are reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service." In the wake of the incident there were calls for calm as Northern Ireland’s police chief urged people not to “duped” into violent disorder by social media. PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher’s comments came as far-right activist Tommy Robinson and tech billionaire Elon Musk amplified calls for people to take to the streets in response to the incident. Mr Boutcher said: “Where there are any concerns about immigration, let’s have those through a political debate. “Let the criminal justice process take its course and let’s just remember that all of our communities in Northern Ireland almost entirely contribute positively to this place and don’t be fooled or duped into a trap by people online inciting awful behaviour.” He said the “toxic” nature online risked “people doing things that they would not ordinarily do”. He added: “Do not let people who know nothing about Northern Ireland impact on the behaviours of our people in Northern Ireland from afar through social media. “Remember the actions of those members of the public, they truly define our society in Northern Ireland, they saved a man’s life last night. Do not let the actions of that man impact on any further harm to anybody else in Northern Ireland.” Article continues below First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “To all those people out there that are stoking up tensions, particularly in that social media space, who have no care or interest in the people here, but are happy to raise tensions, I say they do not represent us.” Justice Minister Naomi Long said there are “bad faith actors who want to stir trouble”. For the latest breaking news and top stories, visit our homepage