Justice Minister Naomi Long says protecting everyone from harm requires people to "come together and unite, to create a safe space that everyone can flourish in".

She adds that she doesn't want to see the common travel area - which incorporates the UK and Ireland - "exploited for ill purposes".

Long also says it's important to "not demonise any particular community".

"There are many people who I have spoken to today who are fearful."

Image source, PA Meida

The chief constable tells reporters that "lawyers will debate the legal status" of the suspect for "weeks, months and maybe even years to come".

But he adds: "There was nothing to prevent that individual from coming into this country and he sought leave to remain through his asylum application.

"His status when he crossed that border is still undetermined by us, but it's something that we'll be looking at and will come out in fullness of time."

Emma Little-Pengelly continues on the theme of the suspect's immigration status.

She says was on a UK-wide call last Wednesday on immigration and raised the issue of people "coming across the Irish border to claim asylum" in Northern Ireland.

Little-Pengelly says she raised the issue to the UK immigration minister as a concern and asked for action.

She says she also raised the issue of people who come to the UK and "subsequently commit offences".

She also says the UK must be able to "deport those individuals much more swiftly".

Little-Pengelly adds that calm is needed and that "disorder only serves to wreck our own communities".

She says communities must know they are being listened to and said the UK government and NI Assembly must take action.

Emma Little-Pengelly adds that she welcomes that the PSNI have communicated the details on the suspect.

She calls for the "maximum amount of information" to be provided to people.

Little-Pengelly adds that the suspect travelled through a "number of other safe countries" before coming to Northern Ireland.

A little earlier, the chief constable said it was unconfirmed but police had been informed the suspect had travelled from Sudan to Paris, before flying to Dublin and travelling onwards to Belfast.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill, answering questions now, says her message today is one of calm.

"Don't let other people, who don't care about here, incite hatred and fear.

"Don't allow people who are faceless to orchestrate campaigns on the street."

Image source, PA Media

Boutcher says that in August 2024, and June 2025, there were disturbances in Northern Ireland that "benefitted no-one".

He says they resulted in damage "to our own communities" and the "criminalising of our own young people".

"Do not let people who know nothing about Northern Ireland impact on the behaviours of our people in Northern Ireland from afar through social media," he adds.

Boutcher appealed for the public not to let the incident lead to more violence.

“Let us do our job, act responsibly, do not let anybody be subject to any further criminal investigation.

"Let the criminal justice course take its course."

He adds that the PSNI is engaging with communities "to provide reassurance and support".

He says there will be an increased police presence across Northern Ireland this evening and in the coming days "to keep everyone safe".

Boutcher says the suspect, a man in his 30s understood to be Sudanese, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder.

A kitchen knife was also found at the scene.

He remains in custody and, at this time, police are not seeking anyone else, Boutcher adds.

He also gives some more details on how the man came to be in Northern Ireland. Boutcher says he entered the country via Dublin in February 2023 and claimed asylum. He adds that police understand the Home Office granted the man leave to remain in Northern Ireland on 28 September 2023.

He also said police had been informed the man had made his way from Sudan to Paris, and then on to Dublin on dates unknown.

We are now hearing from Northern Ireland's top police officer, PSNI Chief Constable Sir Jon Boutcher.

He says his thoughts are with the victim of the attack in north Belfast and his family.

He acknowledges those members of the public who intervened and "ran towards danger", as well as PSNI officers who arrived quickly and carried out the arrest.

He says he has no doubt those members of the public who intervened saved the man's life.

Mullan adds that now "is a time for calm heads".

"This is not a time for protests," he adds, saying that those would only "divert policing resources from people in real need of police help".

He thanks people who are helping to calm tensions.

Brendan Mullan, from Northern Ireland's Policing Board, thanks the members of the public who helped to stop the attack, saying they "stepped forward to intervene and ultimately saved the victim's life".

He also thanks the police officers and ambulance staff who were the "first responders" to the incident.

The justice minister adds that communities "must allow police and the justice system to do its work".

Naomi Long also praises those who showed courage to run at their own peril to save the man and also pays tribute to the emergency services.

She appeals to communities not to let themselves be "used and abused" into criminal responses and urges people to remain calm.

"We do not want police resources and other people to be caught up in what could become a very heated situation," she adds.

She says some people will wish to take the pain, suffering and fear within communities and "weaponise it for other purposes".

Justice Minister Naomi Long now says she knows there are "many in our community who are fearful and afraid".

She says they need to be reassured as well and that "everyone's safety is the primary concern".

"Everyone in Northern Ireland should be safe on our streets," she adds.

The deputy first minister is now speaking about the suspect - she says he was was "in Northern Ireland on a five-year visa" and had entered Northern Ireland via Dublin.

She adds that "we need a swift conviction" and that the alleged attacker must be deported immediately.

She says community safety "must come first". But she also "really, genuinely" appealed for calm across all communities.

Now, Emma Little-Pengelly is speaking - she says the scenes were “brutal, disgusting and horrific".

“People are angry, people are frightened and, above all, people deserve to feel safe in their own communities."

The first minister urges people to allow police the space and time they require to carry out a full and thorough investigation.

She says the person responsible must face justice and the "full force of the law".

First Minister Michelle O'Neill says that many people are "angry" and " deeply distressed".

She adds violence like this has no place in the community and that her thoughts are with the loved ones of the victim.

She also thanks the emergency services.

The news conference at Stormont is just beginning - at the microphones are First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Justice Minister Naomi Long, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher and Policing Board chair Brendan Mullan.

Watch live by hitting the play button at the top of this page.

Earlier on Tuesday, the leaders of five of Northern Ireland’s main political parties issued a joint statement saying they are united in "condemnation of the horrific incident" in north Belfast.

It came from the leaders of Alliance, Sinn Féin, the Democratic Unionist Party, Social Democratic and Labour Party, and the Ulster Unionist Party.

"There is no place in our society for this kind of brutality," it says.

"Our immediate thoughts are with the victim and his family, and we hope he makes a full and complete recovery. "Our thoughts are also with those eyewitnesses to the incident, as well as those brave members of the public who intervened. "We recognise the distress and fear this incident will cause within the local community.

"We urge people not to share the deeply disturbing images or videos, as their graphic nature would only serve to retraumatise those involved." The party leaders say they support the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in their "ongoing investigation and urge anyone with information, or relevant footage, to assist them".

"We are committed to ensuring that violence and hatred in any form will not be allowed to divide our communities.

"We call for calm and for space to allow justice to take its course."