Attackers stamped on a man’s head in an assault police are treating as a hate crime.
The man in his 50s was assaulted in the Donegall Road and Oban Street area of Belfast on Monday night while members of the public attempted to protect him, police said.
A spokesman said: “His condition is described as serious and we are treating his attack as a hate crime.”
The PSNI fired plastic bullets – officially known as Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) – during further outbreaks of racist violence in Belfast - with one rioter struck on the hand.
Riots kicking off bottom of Lisburn Road pic.twitter.com/9EFd44G9Y2
— Christopher Bailie (@duff91) August 5, 2024
Riot police and a drone were deployed to the Sandy Row and Donegall Road areas of the city on Monday evening.
More than 200 people were involved in the recurrence of violence, during which petrol bombs, bricks, and bottles were thrown at the PSNI, by a crowd which included mask-wearing youths.
A large crowd also gathered outside Belfast’s Islamic centre, on University Road, until the early hours of the morning.
A section of the rioters then attempted to set a supermarket, badly damaged on Saturday, on fire for a second time. This was prevented by riot police using water and fire extinguishers.
It is understood, PSNI has seconded two water cannons from the Republic of Ireland’s An Garda Síochána. However, these were not used on Monday night.
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said: “This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland.
”We are engaging with groups that have been affected by this disorder and we are gathering evidence, CCTV and other footage to progress criminal investigations.
”We are working at pace to identify offenders and make arrests. We are determined to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
“Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact us on 101,” said Assistant Chief Constable Jones.
On Monday morning, four men appeared in court following disorder in Belfast over the weekend. They were remanded in custody.
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On Monday evening, a small anti-immigration protest was held at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast. It was met by counter demonstrators and dispersed shortly after 6pm.
During the Troubles 17 people, including eight children, were killed by plastic bullets.
Despite concerns over the use of potentially lethal plastic bullets by human rights groups their use has gone up.
Police figures show that between April 2022 - March 2023 plastic bullets were discharged four times. However, between the April 2023 – March 2024 nine rounds were fired – more than doubling.
