Pictured: Have-a-go-hero armed with hurling stick who tackled Sudanese man as he tried to behead man in Belfast knife attack

By JAMES FIELDING, SENIOR REPORTER Published: 16:52, 9 June 2026 | Updated: 16:58, 9 June 2026 This is the have-a-go-hero who put his own life at risk to tackle the crazed knifeman who was trying to behead a man in a Belfast street last night. Maitiu Mág Tighearnán was armed only with a wooden stick when he led a trio of members of the public who tried to rescue the attacker's victim from certain death. The young father had grabbed a hurley stick - used for the Irish sport of hurling - when he arrived home after a night out to find the horror unfolding on his doorstep. His partner Aoife O'Reilly expressed pride in Maitiu, known as Matt, who she described as 'very, very humble'. She went on: '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.' Matt was said to have survived his intervention without being seriously injured. Video of the incident showed Matt as he swung the stick at the migrant several times, appearing to stop the attacker further injuring his victim. Matt was supported by two other men in his efforts. He wrote online that he had stumbled on the attack 'by chance' and that he 'got out to protect a young lad' when he saw what was happening and that the police had yet to arrive. Maitiu Mág Tighearnán (R) was armed only with a wooden stick when he led a trio of members of the public who tried to rescue the attacker's victim from certain death The have-a-go hero wrote online that he had stumbled on the attack 'by chance' and that he 'got out to protect a young lad' when he saw what was happening Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.