Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

"Race-based pogrom" and "huge act of self-harm by mindless idiots who are actually only damaging their own futures".

372 replies

Batmanisaplaceinturkey · 10/06/2026 09:39

Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill says "groups of masked men" were "burning families out of their homes"

One pastor in north Belfast says black people's homes were targeted, while an MP tells the BBC there was a "race-based pogrom"

The PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher says the violent disorder in Belfast was a "huge act of self-harm by mindless idiots who are actually only damaging their own futures".

I agree with all the quotes. Sick of mindless racist thugs and their 'protests', where they look like they are enjoying themselves while they commit violence and set fire to things.

Homes set on fire in Belfast night of violence as MP says people targeted based on skin colour - follow live

On one street, hundreds of masked men carrying bottles and bricks set bins on fire and shouted "foreigners out", our reporter says.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cr47x99k5n6t?post=asset%3A168181b7-98e1-4ed8-b83b-ae8a57afaf32#post

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
TrayBakesAreSweet · 10/06/2026 15:24

5128gap · 10/06/2026 13:40

You do realise that these are the exact same types who were fighting on the terraces, endangering lives on ferries and smashing up cars and pubs in the 80s and 90s?
There is a certain demographic of angry violent men and some female hangers on who want a pseudo war to give a sense of cause, to provide an outlet for their rage, and make them feel they have meaning, purpose and belonging.
They have been marshalled in the 'cause' of anti immigration. But if it wasn't that it would be something else. As it was before and as it will be after.
I'm not saying people aren't angry about immigration, but to suggest that anger about immigration is the cause of their violent disorder is woefully (willfully) reductive.
You don't go from bring prepared to burn out a house to being a harmless model citizen because the government reduces immigration. You just move on to another reason to burn another house.

Agree with every word. They’re loving this. The usual suspects - riot at the drop of a hat.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 10/06/2026 15:24

UtopiaPlanitia · 10/06/2026 15:01

Clian is likely referring to Ireland's history of being colonised by Britain over the last 800-900 years e.g. the Anglo-Norman invasion, the Plantation of Ulster, Cromwell's murderous campaign in Ireland, the Tudors' forcible moving of large numbers of the population off their lands, the banning of Catholic worship and of teaching Irish in schools etc. Irish history has been very unsettled because of multiple invasions from viking times onwards.

Yes, I knew that. I just don't see the arrival of a small group of migrants as in any way comparable.

Anotherdayanotherexcuse · 10/06/2026 15:41

FairKoala · 10/06/2026 15:08

You wouldn’t get this in the middle of winter

I was vaguely impressed that the wee sh"tes were out in the p"ssing rain. They had their gloves and balaclavas to keep them warm though 🙄

Dweetfidilove · 10/06/2026 15:54

damaging their own futures".

This is the only bit I disagree with. Some people have no future to destroy, and are placed on this earth purely to damage 'other people's futures'.

They are absolute wastes of oxygen, waiting for any and every opportunity to be violent and thuggish. It is all they know, and until time ends, will never think of engaging with any useful or critical thinking.

They have no interest in their own lives or livelihoods; let alone in those of the victims harmed they are 'avenging'.

CrowFeathers · 10/06/2026 15:56

Persephonia1966 · 10/06/2026 14:54

I'm not from NI either. But I know enough to know that a hardcore loyalist in Belfast is unlikely to consider himself a Celtic victim of British colonisation.

Talking of which, it’s been ‘kicking off’ in Glasgow too.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5jme6ld54o

Union flags were being carried, the BBC reports.

Police vehicles and officers outside the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow at night

Three arrested over Glasgow disorder and racist assaults after Belfast knife attack

Police Scotland said members of the public were attacked "because of the colour of their skin" on Tuesday evening.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5jme6ld54o

Pureclass · 10/06/2026 16:06

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 10/06/2026 14:44

It's such an own goal from the protestors. So many people have worked so hard since the Good Friday Agreement to rebuild NI and make it an attractive place to start a business, take a holiday, film a TV series or film, and so on. And in one night of mindless violence we're right back to the sort of terrifying images we used to see on TV week after week during the Troubles. I feel very sorry for the vast majority of decent, law-abiding people in NI.

These are not abnormal scenes for the people of NI.

This has now made UK and possibly global news, which brings us back to days of the Troubles.

But arseholes out ' protesting' causes they really know nothing about, led by a whistle from their handlers - over drug debts, or to act the big lad or to just get out their anger on something.

This happens regularly, regardless of the cause. They riot because they enjoy it.

There is no "war" here any more but there are still paramilitary groups looking to show domination and cause fear - so they will loot their areas, set fire to cars, roads, burn out families.

These are at least annual events, usually more regular.

This time they have made national news....most times it doesn't

Puffinsandcoffee · 10/06/2026 16:11

Tiptow · 10/06/2026 15:24

You think a Reform government will fire bomb homes during the night ?

I think a lot of their supporters are showing they'd be ok with it. Which is a step in that direction, isn't it?

Backedoffhackedoff · 10/06/2026 16:15

Cailleach1 · 10/06/2026 15:16

@Backedoffhackedoff ’There are 4 countries in the uk, all have open borders with each other and 1 has an open border with the EU.’

Yes, indeed. There is the Common Travel Area (with certain conditions applying) between Ireland and the UK. For those who are nationals of Ireland, and/ or of the UK (again conditions applying). Think you have to have been born in either country, hold citizenship of either country, and only when travelling from one country to the other.

Through NI, the UK has what might possibly be called an open border with an EU country. It is not just any EU country though, is it? There is a historic reason for it. The island of Ireland was has only been divided (as in belonging to two different countries) into two for nigh on 100 years. There’s no reason to go into the history here, but suffice to say a great many people who live, and are from NI, wish to maintain their natural links with Ireland. So much, that the possibility for a referendum on ‘reunification’ (both in NI and Ireland) is in the Good Friday Agreement. The Northern Irish Protocol was introduced to protect the Good Friday Agreement. The GRA which the majority of people in NI (and Ireland) voted for. I think part of that was demilitarisation, and the removal of barriers. Someone may correct me on that if I am wrong.

I do think there are checks on the train from Dublin to Belfast, though. That happened to a friend of mine prior to Brexit, so maybe they do still check. She was of Indian decent, so she was wondering if that was the reason. Not just ticket, id/ passport as well, I think.

However, Ireland is not in Schengen. There should still be checks on people arriving in Ireland, even from another EU country. It is an island, so that would be by ferry or plane.

we all understand the reason there is an open border

The point is, denying there is one is both wrong and plays into the protestors hands that the left don’t understand the issue

and whilst Ireland is a island nation the people and government or the north have no control over their immigration polocies

No one needs to carry or show a passport to travel between the uk and Ireland. Airlines etc may insist you need one to travel on their service.

TemperanceWest · 10/06/2026 16:25

Tiptow · 10/06/2026 15:24

You think a Reform government will fire bomb homes during the night ?

No, of course not. Farage has roundly and firmly condemned the violence in Belfast and Southampton, hasn't he?

TooBigForMyBoots · 10/06/2026 16:46

I think he was killed in a Catholic area but the rioting was happening in a Protestant area?

The attack happened in New Lodge, which is a Catholic area, hence the man with the hurl. The violence is happening in predominantly Loyalist areas.

@Walkyrie, Conor McGregor is a violent, racist, misogynist rapist. He is not from or in Belfast. He's standing in solidarity of other violent, racist misogynists.

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 16:48

I’m sick of it.

Sick of this country and the narrow minded idiots whose world extends as far as their back garden (paid for by the taxpayer!), who have never seen the world or anything positive. Who blame their woes on everyone but themselves, making this country unsafe for women and children.

I don’t feel scared when I walk past our local Islamic centre. In fact, on more than one occasion they’ve told me I’m welcome in for a hot/cold drink depending on the season.

When I do feel unsafe is when crowds of these yobs decided theyre bored of drinking white stripe in their boxers and take to the town centre, causing disruption to everyone.

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 16:52

Purplerocket · 10/06/2026 15:10

Unfortunately when reasonable people don't get control of a situation then unreasonable people will step in. The people to blame are successive governments of multiple European countries that have allowed this mass movement of people from third world countries onto our shores.

Actually, no.

The people to blame are the government who allowed this benefits culture to seep in. It’s never the educated and gainfully employed out firebombing houses on a weeknight, is it? Same as it’ll die down when the football starts in a few days. They’re to blame for their own misfortune.

AllaFieraDellEst · 10/06/2026 16:53

Batmanisaplaceinturkey · 10/06/2026 09:41

Meanwhile the far right billionaire tech bros who are partly responsible, by funding and influencing this unrest, are watching from afar and laughing. Sick entertainment for them.

Oh give it a rest OP.

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 16:54

AllaFieraDellEst · 10/06/2026 16:53

Oh give it a rest OP.

Well it’s true isn’t it?

Farage won’t be spending life in prison after lighting a house on fire. He’ll be in his life of luxury, funded by illicit donations from crypto billionaires

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 16:55

AllaFieraDellEst · 10/06/2026 16:53

Oh give it a rest OP.

Previous reply is hidden for the c-r-y word, ffs 🤦🏼‍♀️

Its true. Farage won’t be the one spending life in prison for setting a house on fire while children slept. He’s going to be in his life of luxury funded by digital currency billionaires

Tiptow · 10/06/2026 16:58

Puffinsandcoffee · 10/06/2026 16:11

I think a lot of their supporters are showing they'd be ok with it. Which is a step in that direction, isn't it?

Is it?

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 17:00

Tiptow · 10/06/2026 16:58

Is it?

Of course it is.

If they’re okay with masked yobs setting houses alight on the basis of who they suspect to live there, they’d probably be delighted if the government started doing it.

Purplerocket · 10/06/2026 17:00

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 16:52

Actually, no.

The people to blame are the government who allowed this benefits culture to seep in. It’s never the educated and gainfully employed out firebombing houses on a weeknight, is it? Same as it’ll die down when the football starts in a few days. They’re to blame for their own misfortune.

I fully support people taking action in their communities and will be voting Restore Britain at the next election. I have never claimed a single benefit payment in my life and am a higher rate tax payer.

Trying to smear anyone who takes a stance against immigration as thick, uneducated gammons isn't going to work anymore.

If you are actually from Dartmoor then you'll find your views aren't shared around here.

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 17:01

Purplerocket · 10/06/2026 17:00

I fully support people taking action in their communities and will be voting Restore Britain at the next election. I have never claimed a single benefit payment in my life and am a higher rate tax payer.

Trying to smear anyone who takes a stance against immigration as thick, uneducated gammons isn't going to work anymore.

If you are actually from Dartmoor then you'll find your views aren't shared around here.

I mean, coming online to admit you support people firebombing houses with children sleeping in them isn’t the win you think it is.

Purplerocket · 10/06/2026 17:04

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 17:01

I mean, coming online to admit you support people firebombing houses with children sleeping in them isn’t the win you think it is.

I wouldn't support firebombing houses but I support people finally doing something.

At least I don't support importing people who attempt beheadings on our streets and grooming gangs.

hay5689 · 10/06/2026 17:04

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 17:01

I mean, coming online to admit you support people firebombing houses with children sleeping in them isn’t the win you think it is.

Neither is calling everyone who disagrees with you uneducated. It makes you sound like a self righteous twat.

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 17:05

hay5689 · 10/06/2026 17:04

Neither is calling everyone who disagrees with you uneducated. It makes you sound like a self righteous twat.

And supporting the fire bombing of children makes you sound like an evil cunt

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 17:06

Purplerocket · 10/06/2026 17:04

I wouldn't support firebombing houses but I support people finally doing something.

At least I don't support importing people who attempt beheadings on our streets and grooming gangs.

You realise these are actual people you’re talking about? Actual two month old babies who were firebombed while they slept?

Purplerocket · 10/06/2026 17:07

dartmoordays · 10/06/2026 17:06

You realise these are actual people you’re talking about? Actual two month old babies who were firebombed while they slept?

If you're educated enough to read I said I don't support firebombing houses.

But people like you are part of the problem.

likelysuspect · 10/06/2026 17:08

TemperanceWest · 10/06/2026 13:28

Stephen Ogilvie's family has released a statement:

We want to say a profound thank you to the local people who bravely stepped in during the attack. Your quick actions absolutely saved his life, and we will never forget what you did for him in that moment. We also want to thank the emergency services and the doctors and nurses looking after him.

We are aware of the tensions and talk of protests following this incident. We want to make it absolutely clear that overnight unrest is not welcome, and peaceful protest is the only way forward.

We have many migrants who make a deeply valuable contribution to our country, including in our healthcare system and hospitality sector and we depend on them to make our country work. We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility

Peaceful protest about what?