First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, Justice Minister, Naomi Long, PSNI chief constable Sir Jon Boutcher and Brendan Mullan of Northern Ireland's Policing Board have held a joint press conference in response to the Belfast knife attack.
Speaking to the media, Emma Little-Pengelly said: "Above all, people deserve to feel safe in their own communities and to have confidence in the systems that are meant to protect them.
"We understand that the suspect was in Northern Ireland and entered Northern Ireland via Dublin. This was someone who came here to live within our community and yet has committed an act of appalling, barbaric violence.
"People legitimately need to be reassured that their concerns are not only being listened to, but taken seriously. The criminal justice process must be allowed to take place.
"We need a swift conviction and on conviction, this dangerous man must be deported immediately. The safety of our communities must come first. My message is clear, it must be taken seriously. And in the meantime, I really, genuinely appeal for calm across all of our communities."
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