A supermarket in Belfast has been severely damaged again after already being targeted by rioters in 2024.
Footage taken this morning showed the entrance to the supermarket turned to ash, with metal gates torn open by rioters last night.
It comes after 2024, when hundreds gathered for anti-immigration protests sparked by the Southport stabbings.
At the time, the butcher of the shop, Jamal Ghabes, told the BBC he didn’t feel safe anymore living in Northern Ireland and relocated his business elsewhere in Belfast.
‘It’s better now. I’m glad I stayed,’ he said.
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It’s unclear who now owns the supermarket, but the interior is seriously damaged after last night’s riots.
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The grocery store sells products of all kinds, but focuses on supplying Middle Eastern foods.
It is believed to have been deliberately targeted.
Across Belfast, homes and cars were set on fire in widespread disorder after a man was left with serious injuries in a knife attack.
The victim was attacked on Kinnaird Road in north Belfast at around 10.30pm on Monday. He has been named by neighbours as Stephen Ogilvie.
A 30-year-old Sudanese national has been arrested. Police initially said he was believed to be from Somalia. He lived close to where the attack took place.
He was charged with attempted murder, possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place, and making threats to kill.
Footage of the attack has spurred unrest in Ireland and the UK. A police land rover was attacked on the Crumlin Road, while a Glider bus was set on fire on Newtownards Road.
Several fires broke out, and crowds have confronted police. Homes were set alight.
Jamie Corry, who has lived on Lendrick Street for 13 years, said he confronted rioters before they lit his car on fire.
‘Once I saw the flames starting to get bigger and bigger, I moved away from my property, I moved down the street, and watched it all,’ he recalled.
He said he entered his property on Wednesday morning to view the damage.
‘It’s destroyed, top to bottom it’s completely destroyed,’ he said.
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