The man who heroically intervened to stop a knife attack in Belfast that left a victim with massive injuries has been identified as Maitiu Mag Tighearnan, who used a hurling stick to strike the suspect and help bring the assault to an end. Video of the Monday night attack on Kinnaird Avenue showed residents rushing to aid the victim as the suspect attacked him with a knife before being taken into police custody, reports The Telegraph.
Mag Tighearnan, who was visiting his partner on the street where the attack occurred, said on social media that he "just landed there by chance" and acted to "protect a lad." Footage circulating online showed him repeatedly striking the suspect with a hurley, a wooden stick used in the Irish sport of hurling, while other bystanders kicked and punched the man until he was subdued.
Police said the victim suffered significant injuries to his face, neck, and back in what authorities described as a brutal attack. The suspect, identified in reports as a Sudanese migrant, was arrested at the scene.
The victim, a man in his 40s, remains in critical condition in hospital with serious injuries to his face, neck and back. Police have arrested a man in connection with the attack on suspicion of attempted murder, and say enquiries are ongoing. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described the incident as “deeply concerning,” adding: “This is a deeply concerning assault, and I have declared this a critical incident. We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said in a statement that a man in his 30s had been arrested following what it described as a serious knife assault in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday night. “A man in his 30s, believed to be Somalian, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious assault involving a knife in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday night... He remains in police custory. The injured man, aged in his 40s, is in hospital where his condition is described as serious. The attack has left the man with significant injuries to his face, neck and back.” It was later clarified that the man was in fact Sudanese, not Somalian.
Police confirmed the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the attack. Officers have not publicly confirmed a motive.
This story will be updated.
Mag Tighearnan, who was visiting his partner on the street where the attack occurred, said on social media that he "just landed there by chance" and acted to "protect a lad." Footage circulating online showed him repeatedly striking the suspect with a hurley, a wooden stick used in the Irish sport of hurling, while other bystanders kicked and punched the man until he was subdued.
Police said the victim suffered significant injuries to his face, neck, and back in what authorities described as a brutal attack. The suspect, identified in reports as a Sudanese migrant, was arrested at the scene.
The victim, a man in his 40s, remains in critical condition in hospital with serious injuries to his face, neck and back. Police have arrested a man in connection with the attack on suspicion of attempted murder, and say enquiries are ongoing. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described the incident as “deeply concerning,” adding: “This is a deeply concerning assault, and I have declared this a critical incident. We have commenced an investigation to establish a motive.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said in a statement that a man in his 30s had been arrested following what it described as a serious knife assault in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday night. “A man in his 30s, believed to be Somalian, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a serious assault involving a knife in the Kinnaird Avenue area of north Belfast on Monday night... He remains in police custory. The injured man, aged in his 40s, is in hospital where his condition is described as serious. The attack has left the man with significant injuries to his face, neck and back.” It was later clarified that the man was in fact Sudanese, not Somalian.
Police confirmed the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the attack. Officers have not publicly confirmed a motive.
This story will be updated.
