A “hero” bystander who bravely intervened in a knife attack in Belfast said he was trying to “protect a young lad” and was glad he stood up to the attacker.
Maitiu Mag Tighearnan has been praised for his actions after he bravely used a hurling stick to fight off a man attacking the victim, who suffered serious injuries to his eyes, neck and back, in north Belfast on Monday night.
More than £18,000 has been raised to show support for the 32-year-old father and “buy him a pint”.
In a social media post, Mr Tighearnan said he “just landed there by chance” and managed to “protect a young lad”, The Guardian reported.
A 30-year-old asylum seeker, from Sudan, has been charged with attempted murder over the attack and is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
The stabbing sparked large protests in Belfast, with homes and cars set alight on Tuesday after hundreds took to the streets in a night of unrest.
Asked on social media why he had intervened and whether he had waited for the police, he said: “Mate, I just landed there by chance. Cops were called before I even got out to protect a young lad. As if waiting on cops was my first thought.”
Video from the scene shows Mr Tighearnan repeatedly hitting the attacker, while two other bystanders also intervened.
He had reportedly been visiting his partner when he turned onto Kinnaird Avenue, where the attack took place, and saw what appeared to be two men fighting.
Mr Tighearnan told the Daily Mail he was “glad” he rushed to help.
“This was late at night and so we thought we better go and break it up. [My friend] Andre was in the front passenger seat and he jumped out first.
“He shouted to me that the man attacking the other had a knife and to get something to help. At this point I thought someone was going to lose their life.”
He added: “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.”
He said police officers then arrived and took over.
“I’m glad we intervened when we did,” he told the newspaper. “It was pure chance that we’d gone that route to the petrol station.
“People have called us heroes but to be honest I’d like to think most people would’ve got stuck in and helped if they could. I just hope the victim pulls through and manages to recover as best he can.”
His partner Aoife O’Reilly described Mr Tighearnan as “very, very humble”.
She told the Daily Mail: “I couldn’t be prouder of Matt. This is my partner and the father of my child who stood in and hopefully saved a man’s life last night.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by digital creator Niall Donnan to raise money in support of Mr Tighearnan.
It said: “Faced with unimaginable violence, he chose courage over fear and grabbed a hurley stick to defend his fellow Irish man.
“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 per cent of donations will be sent to Matt directly. Let’s buy him a pint!”
The page has drawn support from across the world, with someone from Tasmania in Australia calling him a “brave man”.
Another person wrote: “Most people would have stopped, watched and filmed as the horrific act unfolded. A true modern day hero and protecting his countryman. Have a beer on me mate. Looking forward to your knighthood, well deserved.”
Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn thanked those who tried to stop the attack. Speaking in the Commons, he said: “When confronted with scenes of terrifying violence, members of the public did not walk on by.
“To those individuals, I would like to say this – you showed the very best of humanity and you have the profound gratitude of this entire House.”
