A man has appeared in court accused of the attempted murder of a man in Belfast on Monday night.
Hadi Alodid, 30, of Duncairn Avenue, Belfast, was charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie. He was further charged with possessing a knife in a public place, Kinnaird Avenue, on the same day.
Alodid was also charged with making threats to kill an NHS radiographer on the same day, intending that she would fear said threats would be carried out.
Alodid appeared by video link from custody in the short hearing at Belfast magistrates court on Wednesday morning. He had refused legal representation, but was accompanied by an Arabic interpreter.
It is understood the victim sustained cuts to his face and lacerations to his back, and has lost his left eye.
The judge, Steven Keown, refused Alodid bail and the case was adjourned to Wednesday 8 July.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Keown said he wanted to “note that our thoughts are with the victim and his family at this time, and also the emergency services and the members of the public who went to the victim’s aid”, adding that they should be “commended for that”.
In an unusual intervention, addressing the disorder that had taken place across Belfast the previous night after the incident, the judge condemned “the fact those emergency services are under attack” and said perpetrators would be dealt with seriously.
Directly referencing communications circulating on Wednesday encouraging protesters to continue to gather, and to wear masks and dark clothing, he said those taking part in the violence “can also expect to go to prison”, adding: “And that message will be sent out loud and clear.”
