I am horrified by the attack which took place in Belfast last night.
The video footage circulating online appears to show an attempted beheading. If confirmed, this represents an act of barbaric violence that has no place anywhere in Ireland. A man remains in hospital with serious injuries and another man has been arrested.
This is not an isolated concern. In 2022, a man was beheaded in Sligo. More recently, a number of serious violent incidents in Dublin have dominated national headlines.
There is a serious law and order problem across Ireland which must be addressed. The public has a right to feel safe in their communities, and those responsible for acts of extreme violence must face the full force of the law.
My thoughts are with the victim, their family, and the emergency services who responded to this horrific incident.