A Department for Infrastructure depot has been attacked during a second night of racist violence in Belfast, with Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins condemning the destruction as “racism, intimidation and absolute thuggery.” The break-in at the Sandyknowes facility—where a vehicle was set alight—forms part of a wider pattern of anti-immigrant disorder that has swept across Northern Ireland’s capital this week.
The violence erupted following a knife attack on Monday 8 June 2026, which left a man seriously injured. Since then, masked groups have targeted ethnic minority communities, set fire to homes and businesses, and forced the suspension of public transport services across the city.
Attack on Sandyknowes Depot
The Department for Infrastructure confirmed that its depot at Sandyknowes—located in Newtownabbey, just outside Belfast—was broken into during the unrest. Rioters set a vehicle alight at the facility, which sits close to the Chimney Corner Hotel, an area that has seen intense clashes between police and anti-immigration protesters.
The attack on public infrastructure came as hundreds of protesters gathered at the nearby roundabout, some wearing dark clothing and face coverings. Police deployed water cannon at the scene after protesters burned a lorry and threw bricks and petrol bombs at officers.
Minister Condemns “Disgraceful” Violence
In a strongly worded statement, Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins condemned both the attack on her Department’s property and the broader disorder disrupting Northern Ireland.
“We are seeing another night of destruction and disruption, and this behaviour needs to be condemned in the strongest possible way.
“It is racism, it is intimidation and absolute thuggery.
“These acts serve no-one and only cause harm and fear within communities. It is disgraceful and disgusting.
“I utterly condemn the incident at my Department’s depot in Sandyknowes and the further disruption we have seen with transport services suspended and businesses closing early.
“I thank the Police for their response and I reiterate the calls for this violence to stop.”
The Minister’s comments align with wider political condemnation of the riots, which have seen 16 people arrested and 12 police officers injured. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn has described the violence as “racist thuggery,” noting that people were being targeted “on the basis of the colour of their skin.”
Transport Disruption and Public Safety
The unrest has caused significant disruption to essential services:
- Public transport services in Belfast have been suspended for multiple evenings, leaving passengers stranded
- Businesses across the city closed early following threats circulated on social media
- Police have fired plastic bullets (attenuating energy projectiles) 17 times since the disturbances began
- 200 additional officers have been drafted in from Great Britain to reinforce the Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Sandyknowes area has been particularly volatile; the DFI depot attack represents a shift from targeting residential properties to striking public infrastructure. The depot serves as a road service facility for the Eastern Division of the Department.
Context and Omissions
While the Minister’s statement firmly condemned the violence, several questions remain unanswered regarding the specific attack on public property:
- The Department has not disclosed whether staff were present at the Sandyknowes depot during the break-in, or if any employees were injured
- No estimate has been provided for the cost of repairing the damaged vehicle and facility
- The statement does not address how the Department will maintain road services if depots remain vulnerable during continued unrest
- There is no mention of additional security measures being implemented at other DFI facilities across Northern Ireland
The violence follows a familiar pattern seen across the UK, where far-right activists have exploited criminal incidents involving ethnic minorities to coordinate racist attacks. In this instance, a 30-year-old Sudanese man has been charged with attempted murder following Monday’s stabbing, though the victim’s family has explicitly condemned the retaliatory violence, stating it is “not welcome” and calling for peaceful protest only.
Questions for the Department
As Belfast braces for potential further unrest, several questions arise regarding the protection of public infrastructure:
- What specific security protocols are being activated to protect DFI depots and staff during periods of civil disorder?
- Will the Department publish the financial cost of repairing the Sandyknowes damage, and will this impact planned road maintenance budgets?
- How is the Department coordinating with the Police Service of Northern Ireland to assess risks to other transport infrastructure, such as bus depots and ferry terminals?
- What contingency plans exist to ensure continuity of critical road maintenance and gritting services if depot operations are further disrupted?
- Given that Sandyknowes is a road service depot employing industrial grades and technical staff, what support is being offered to workers who may fear for their safety travelling to and from work?
Escalation to Public Infrastructure
The targeting of a government depot marks an escalation in the unrest, moving from attacks on private property and ethnic minority homes to the destruction of public assets. This development raises concerns about the vulnerability of essential infrastructure during periods of civil disorder, particularly facilities located near flashpoints of community tension.
With the Orange Order marching season approaching in July—a period that traditionally sees heightened community tensions in Northern Ireland—the security of public infrastructure and the safety of transport workers will remain critical concerns. The Department for Infrastructure faces the challenge of maintaining essential road services while ensuring staff safety and protecting public property from further damage.
Media queries regarding the incident should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk. Out-of-hours enquiries can be made via the Executive Information Service on 028 9037 8110.