Belfast dad praised as hero after using son’s hurling stick to stop ‘brutal’ knife attack

Footage of the incident quickly circulated online

32-year-old Maitiu Mág Tighearnán was seen wielding a wooden hurling stick and hitting the attacker several times before the police arrived at the scene.

A man believed to be in his 40s was rushed to hospital with serious injuries to his eye, face and back following the attack on Kinnaird Avenue, in north Belfast, at around 10:30 pm.

Footage of the incident quickly circulated online, showing Maitiu charging at the suspect and striking him with a hurling stick, as other bystanders rushed to help the injured man.

Maitiu told the Daily Mail that he and his friend Andre were on their way to a petrol station when they saw what they believed was two men fighting in the street.

They wanted to break up the fight, but as they inched closer, they realised the attacker had a knife.

“At this point, I thought someone was going to lose their life,” Maitiu said.

“I'd taken my son to hurling practice earlier that evening, and so I'd got out of the car, gone to the boot and grabbed his hurling stick.

“Instinct took over, and I ran over, and I smashed this guy over the head with the hurling stick. Right on the flat side, about three times. As hard as I could.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson praised the brave bystanders who stepped in during a news conference yesterday.

"It's important to acknowledge at the very outset the bravery of those members of the public who ran towards danger to intervene and help the injured man."

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the attack and has since been charged with attempted murder.

The 30-year-old man of Sudanese descent is also charged with possession of an article with a blade or point in a public place and making threats to kill.

The accused is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court today (Wednesday 10 June).

People online are praising the Belfast dad for bravery. A GoFundMe page to buy Maitiu a pint’ has since been set up by Niall Donnan.

He wrote: “Faced with unimaginable violence, he chose courage over fear and grabbed a hurley stick to defend his fellow Irishman.

“I have set up this GoFundMe so the people of our land can show our support to Matt for his incredible bravery and courage. 100% of donations will be sent to Matt directly.

“Let’s buy him a pint!”

The GoFundMe page has already raised over £18,000.