The father of Stephen Ogilvie has issued a plea to those spreading disinformation as his son remains in ICU
The father of a knife attack victim in North Belfast has made an urgent plea to those peddling misinformation online, urging them to ‘Please stop’. Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye and sustained further severe injuries following the assault on Kinnaird Avenue on June 8.
Hadi Alodid, 30, of Duncairn Avenue in Belfast, appeared before the city’s magistrates’ court on Wednesday, facing charges of attempted murder of Stephen Ogilvie, threatening to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife.
UUP leader Jon Burrows revealed on the morning of June 10 that he had spoken with Stephen Ogilvie’s father, who confirmed his son remains in ICU but is in a stable condition following the attack.
Widespread violence and disorder broke out across Belfast and several other towns in Northern Ireland on Tuesday night in the wake of the North Belfast incident, reports Belfast Live.
Mr Burrows confirmed that the victim’s father had a personal message he wished to convey. He said: “I want to thank Mr Ogilvie for taking the time to speak with me at such a distressing time for his family.
“His son remains in the ICU following the devastating injuries he sustained, but is stable. The injuries inflicted upon him are truly shocking, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his entire family.
“The victim’s father has also asked me to pass on a direct appeal to those spreading disinformation online: please stop. This has shockingly included false posts on social media at various times that his son has died.
“This is causing immense additional distress to a family already going through an unimaginable ordeal. I echo that appeal wholeheartedly and urge everyone to act with decency and respect for this family.
“I offered my full solidarity and support to the whole family today.”
Mr Burrows continued: “I will be meeting with the Secretary of State tomorrow, where I will be raising issues directly related to this case.
“It is important that those in political leadership engage with issues like immigration, the security of our borders and the protection of all our citizens, whilst also standing unequivocally on the side of law and order. I also appeal again for parents to ensure their children are not out on the streets and involved in disorder.
“Tomorrow I will be asking the Secretary of State to meet the family of Stephen Oglivie in the coming days.”
In a previous statement released via Independent Councilor Stafford Ward, Stephen’s relatives emphasized that they “want to make it clear that overnight unrest is not welcome”.
The family also commended locals who intervened to help the victim and requested privacy from both the public and media.
“We are aware of the tensions and talk of protests following this incident. We want to make it absolutely clear that overnight unrest is not welcome, and peaceful protest is the only way forward.
“We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including in our healthcare system and hospitality sector and we depend on them to make our country work. We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility,” the family said.
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