Belfast victim's family issue new statement as thugs clash with riot police for second night
"We do not want this terrible tragedy to be used to divide people or fuel hostility," the family said.
The family of Stephen Ogilvie, who lost an eye in Monday’s attack in Belfast, have issued a new statement slamming the violence taking place in Northern Ireland after the incident.
Listen to this article
Issuing an update to an earlier statement, the Ogilvie family said they "have been left feeling disgusted by the scenes that unfolded yesterday across Northern Ireland in the wake of what happened.
"We want to make it absolutely clear that to do this in response is not supported by our family, and peaceful protest is only ever the way forward."
As violent thugs take to the streets for a second night in the Northern Irish capital, the family asked armchair commentators: "If you know anything at all about the attack, or saw anything strange near Kinnaird Avenue, please go to the police and stop sharing false information on social media, as it is deeply distressing."
Read more: I watched Belfast burn as masked mobs hunted for violence and police vanished from the streets
In the earlier statement, the family thanked those who stepped in to protect him and condemned the violent unrest in Belfast last night that followed the attack.
The statement read: "We are completely devastated by the horrific attack on our loved one on Kinnaird Avenue.
"This has been a massive shock to our whole family, and right now, our only priority is being at his bedside and helping him recover.
"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."
Sudanese suspect Hadi Alodid has been remanded in custody after being charged with the attempted stabbing murder of Stephen Ogilvie, threats to kill an NHS radiographer and possession of a knife.
The 30-year-old appeared at Belfast Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Alodid refused legal representation and made no reply to charges which were put put to him through an Arabic interpreter as he appeared in court charged with attempted murder, threatening to kill an NHS radiographer and with the possession of a knife.
Alodid used a loophole in the asylum system dubbed the "Irish route" to gain access to the UK, it emerged on Tuesday.
Ogilvie remained in a serious condition in hospital on Tuesday on the same evening, as protests erupted across the city with vehicles and homes set ablaze amid furious demonstrations.
The family have asked for space following the incident, saying: "We need privacy to focus on our family right now, without cameras or people speculating about what happened.
"If you know anything at all about the attack, or saw anything strange near Kinnaird Avenue, please go to the police.
"Thank you for respecting our privacy."