Hero Reveals How He Charged and stopped Belfast Knifeman

Hero Reveals How He Charged and stopped Belfast Knifeman

A father who used his son's hurling stick to stop a knife attack on a Belfast street has spoken of the moment "instinct took over" as he rushed to save a stranger from what witnesses feared was a brutal attempted killing.

Matt McKiernan, 32, has been hailed a hero after dramatic footage showed him confronting an armed attacker during Monday night's horror in north Belfast.

The victim, a man in his 40s, suffered devastating injuries to his face, neck, back and eye and remains in hospital.

'He's Trying To Cut His Head Off'

Graphic footage circulating online showed the attacker pinning the victim to the ground while repeatedly stabbing him.

At one point a witness can be heard shouting: "He's trying to cut his head off."

McKiernan said he and a friend initially believed they were witnessing a fight before realising one man was armed with a knife.

His friend, who has training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, approached first in an attempt to separate the pair.

But as he got closer, he spotted the weapon.

'Instinct Took Over'

McKiernan had taken his son to hurling practice earlier that evening and still had the wooden stick in his car.

Realising the seriousness of the situation, he grabbed it and ran towards the attacker.

"I'd taken my son to hurling practice earlier that evening and grabbed the hurling stick," he said.

"Instinct took over."

He struck the attacker several times before helping force him to drop the knife and back away.

Victim Left Seriously Injured

Police said the victim suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital receiving treatment.

The suspect, described by police as a Sudanese national who had been granted leave to remain in the UK after claiming asylum, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

He has since been charged and is due before the courts.

Public Praise For Hero

As news of McKiernan's actions spread, a fundraising campaign was launched to buy him "a pint".

The appeal quickly attracted thousands in donations from members of the public eager to thank the father for his courage.

Many described his actions as the difference between life and death.

One supporter wrote: "This man ran towards danger when everyone else would have run away."

For many watching the shocking footage, it was a reminder that while violence can shock a community, ordinary people can still display extraordinary courage when it matters most.

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