Belfast: ‘Old wounds opened again’

The atmosphere in Belfast is “tense, weary and deeply unsettled” – and also contains challenges for evangelicals, a church minister says.

Speaking in the wake of disturbances following a vicious stabbing attack in the city, Andrew Irwin told en of the situation in the city and some of the underlying tensions and issues.

“There is real grief and concern over the original incident. Yet what has unfolded since is confusing because there is a growing fear of how quickly that grief has been pulled into something darker, with anger, intimidation, racism and violence spilling onto the streets,” he said.