A 74-year-old man and his daughter heroically dragged two terrified care workers to safety after far-right rioters swarmed their home in Belfast. Jack McKee pushed through crowds throwing petrol bombs and setting houses on fire to reach the women, both African migrants, who were hiding in a corner as bricks shattered the windows of the property on Oakley Street.
Rescue Amid Chaos
Along with his daughter Paula, McKee helped carry the women to safety. The victims were so frightened they could barely stand. Jonathan McKee, Jack's son, said: 'They had to carry them out the back door secretly because the rioters were shouting, “Where are the migrants?”'
The family, who run a local church, received a text at midnight alerting them that a congregation member's home was under attack. Acting on instinct, they rushed to the house and found the two women shaking with fear. The neighboring property was already ablaze, with flames creeping toward the women's home from behind. Meanwhile, rioters hurled objects through windows and doors, causing extensive damage.
Life-Changing Ordeal
Jack McKee said: 'My family helped carry them out with the fire service and laid one of the women in the back seat of my dad's car. This is life-changing for them. They can't go home now. We are sending someone around to board up the windows, but there are calls for more riots.'
Last night saw widespread disorder across Belfast, with rioters throwing petrol bombs, setting homes alight, and burning buses to the ground. In London, around 100 Tommy Robinson supporters gathered in Parliament Square and ordered police to take the knee.
Background of Protests
The protests were originally organized after a man, named locally as Stephen Ogilvie, was allegedly stabbed by Sudanese asylum seeker Hadi Alodid. During his first court hearing at Belfast Magistrates' Court, Alodid was remanded for four weeks and charged with attempting to murder Mr. Ogilvie, threatening to kill an NHS radiographer, and possession of a knife. Police and politicians have called for calm as more social media posts planning further protests circulate.
