A fundraising campaign has been launched to buy a pint for the hero who intervened during a knife attack in Belfast.
The GoFundMe initiative has been set up to show appreciation for Maitiu Mág Tighearnán, identified as the man who stepped in during the brutal knife assault by striking the suspect repeatedly with a hurling stick.
The campaign, organised by Niall Donnan, has already amassed nearly £600 and states: "Maitie Mag Toghearnan has revealed himself as the man who confronted the attacker in Belfast last night. 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% of donations will be sent to Matt directly. Let's buy him a pint!"
Victim in serious condition
A man, named locally as Stephen Ogilvie, was left in a serious condition following a stabbing on Kinnaird Avenue on Monday, June 9, with a Sudanese male in his 30s arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
The "barbaric" assault has sparked widespread fury and drawn condemnation from politicians and community figures throughout Northern Ireland. Multiple demonstrations have been scheduled for the evening of Tuesday, June 9, in reaction to the incident, prompting numerous businesses to shut their doors early and send their staff home.
Appeal to acknowledge courage
There has additionally been an appeal to acknowledge the "extraordinary courage" of those who stepped forward during the stabbing attack in north Belfast. Video footage from Monday night's incident captures bystanders, one armed with a hurling stick, intervening to stop a man assaulting the victim, who lay helpless on the ground.
North Belfast MP John Finucane believes their swift action may well have saved the life of the victim, a man in his 40s, during the incident in the Kinnaird Avenue area. Mr Finucane expressed his desire to commend those who stepped in.
"They showed extraordinary courage and bravery to step in, to put themselves in danger to save, I think possibly, a man's life because of their selfless acts, and I want, on behalf of everybody I'm sure, to thank them for that," he told the Press Association at the scene on Tuesday morning.
Concern for victim and community
Mr Finucane stressed that his primary concern lies with the victim and his family and friends, but also extended his thoughts to local residents who witnessed the ordeal, officers who arrived at a harrowing scene, and paramedics from the Ambulance Service.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn praised the members of the public who intervened, saying they "showed the very best of humanity". Responding to an urgent oral question raised by DUP leader Gavin Robinson in the House of Commons, Mr Benn conveyed that the "thoughts of the whole House will be with" the victim and his loved ones.
He further addressed the Commons: "Amidst the horror of what happened, we also saw something extraordinary. When confronted with scenes of terrifying violence, members of the public did not walk on by. Instead, a number of them stepped forward and, at immense risk to their own safety, they intervened to pull the assailant away and protect the victim until the police arrived. 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."
