Belfast stabbing victim Stephen Ogilvie ‘improving’ in new coma update as hurley hero dad condemns disorder
STABBING victim Stephen Ogilvie is “improving” – and he could be awoken from a coma within the next 48 hours.
Mr Ogilvie, 44, suffered devastating injuries, including losing his left eye during a knifing in north Belfast on Monday evening – with a Sudanese asylum seeker, Hadi Alodid, 30, charged with attempted murder.
In an update on Stephen’s condition tonight, the victim’s family revealed they hope he will be released from an induced coma in the next 24 to 48 hours.
Democratic Unionist Party leader Gavin Robinson confirmed that he met the family of Mr Ogilvie today who asked him to share the update.
He said assessments will be made about his sight and other injuries he suffered when he is brought out of the coma.
Robinson said: “Earlier today, I visited the family of Stephen Ogilivie alongside Phillip Brett MLA.
“Stephen’s parents have asked me to share an update on his condition. While he remains in an induced coma, his condition is improving, and the family hope that doctors may be able to begin bringing him out of the coma within the next 24 to 48 hours.”
North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett added: “Gavin Robinson and myself met with Stephen Ogilvie’s parents earlier today.
“They wanted the public to know that his condition is now improving.
“There is a strong hope that he could be released from the induced coma in the next 24 to 48 hours.
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“They again wished to thank the community for the support and sympathy that has been expressed to them.
“There is a long road to recovery and healing for Stephen and the family circle. Please keep them all in your prayers.”
The politicians also revealed the family’s distress has been “compounded” by photos circulating of of a badly injured man in hospital.
Robinson said: “They are utterly broken by what has happened to their son, but their distress has been compounded by the misinformation circulating online.
“AI-generated images purporting to show Stephen have also been shared. This is completely inappropriate and deeply hurtful to a family already enduring unimaginable pain.
“I would urge people to stop sharing speculation, false information or fabricated images and to show Stephen’s family the dignity, compassion and respect they deserve.”
The attack has led to a wave of anti-immigrant riots, with the city remaining under heavy police presence this evening.
The Ogilivie family have issued a fresh plea for calm, with Mr Robinson saying: “Stephen’s family have also been very clear.
“They do not want violence on our streets. Violence will not help Stephen, nor will it bring any comfort to those who love him.”
Meanwhile, a brave dad who armed himself with a hurl and stepped in to stop the horror knife attack in Belfast has condemned the violent scenes in the wake of the stabbing.
Modest Maitiu Mág Tighearnán, known as Matt, says it was simply his “natural reaction” to put himself in harm’s way in a desperate bid to save the victim.
Speaking about the unrest, Maitiu backed pleas from cops and politicians for calm.
He declared: “Everyone is entitled to their right to protest.
“When it turns violent, then you lose sight of the protest and what it stands for.
“We’ve had a shop that’s been there 15 or 20 years, maybe longer, and its premises have been ruined.
“Burning a bus in Belfast costs thousands and it took so many years to build.”
Maitiu continued: “I think the violence initially comes from the protest, which everybody’s entitled to do. Everybody’s entitled to have a protest. Everybody’s entitled to their opinion.
“I think once it turned violent, then the point of the protest is lost. So you’re losing the reason for the protest because no one’s no longer focusing on those protests.
“They’re focusing on the violence. And it’s not nice to see, you know, no one wants to see their city being burnt down or cars being burnt or people losing homes or valuables.”
Opening up on the moment he intervened on Monday, Matt recalled how he had just come back from a night out and was heading to the petrol station with a friend when he discovered the terrifying scene unfolding outside his home.
Grabbing a wooden hurl, he rushed out to confront the attacker.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Matt said: “There was blood everywhere. So the first thing is… that man needs help.
“It’s a natural reaction for what I feel is me. And most people who I know would also do the same.”
The hurley belonged to his son and was in the boot of his car following a practice session.
Matt explained it was “pure chance” he chose to take a shortcut to the petrol station.
He went on to say: “If it was any of our family we’d hope they’d do the same. We’re just grateful we could intervene when we could.”
Matt added: “I would love to see him (Stephen) and see how he’s recovering.
“I did speak to his family and they thanked me. I received a message from another family. I haven’t been able to speak directly to him.
“If it was any of our family we’d hope they’d do the same. We’re just grateful we could intervene when we could.”
Dramatic footage showed Matt swinging the stick several times at the suspect as he and two other men tried to stop the sickening attack.
Detectives investigating the attack have recovered a kitchen knife from the scene.
The suspect was charged on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and threats to kill, appearing at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
Alodid is believed to have travelled from Sudan to Paris, and then from Paris to Dublin, on unknown dates, before taking a bus to Belfast in February 2023.
Officers were scrambled to Kinnaird Avenue in the north of Belfast at around 10.30pm on Monday after receiving reports of the knife attack.
Harrowing footage appears to show a knifeman slashing the victim’s neck and face with a blade as onlookers yell “get off”.
One appears to shout: “He’s trying to cut his head off.”
Protests have erupted in Belfast, with homes, buses and bins set alight.
Yobs in balaclavas torched cars parked on residential streets and driveways, which appear to have caused three houses to catch fire.
A bus on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast was set alight, forcing Translink to suspend its services until further notice.
Many of the protesters were dressed in dark tracksuits with their hoods up and masks on.
Water cannon were on the streets of Northern Ireland again last night as police warn of a “robust” response after consecutive nights of unrest.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson revealed extra officers and police dogs were being deployed, and pledged those behind the violence will be brought to “justice”.
