A BRAVE dad who armed himself with a hurling stick and stepped in to stop the horror knife attack in Belfast says it was simply his “natural reaction”.

Maitiu Mág Tighearnán, known as Matt, put himself in harm’s way along with two other members of the public in a desperate bid to save the victim during what was described as an attempted beheading.

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Dad Maitiu Mág Tighearnán speaking on Good Morning Britain on ThursdayCredit: ITV
 

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Matt stepped in with a hurling stick
Stephen Ogilvie, believed to be aged 44, suffered devastating injuries, including losing his left eye during the incident on Tuesday evening – with a Sudanese asylum seeker, Hadi Alodid, 30, charged with attempted murder.

The attack has led to two consecutive nights of anti-immigrant riots and the city remains under heavy police presence.

Matt had just come back from a night out and was heading to the petrol station with a friend when he discovered the terrifying scene unfolding outside his home.

Grabbing a wooden hurley stick, used in the Irish sport of hurling, he rushed out to confront the attacker.

Stephen Ogilvie, a man with a short goatee and dark brown hair, wearing a plaid shirt, staring directly at the viewer.
Stephen Ogilvie lost his eye in the attackCredit: Supplied
 

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Matt said he just did what anyone would doCredit: Gofundme
Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Matt said: “There was blood everywhere. So the first thing is… that man needs help.

“It’s a natural reaction for what I feel is me. And most people who I know would also do the same.”

The hurley – similar to a hockey stick – belonged to his son and was in the boot of his car following a practice session.

Matt explained it was “pure chance” he chose to take a shortcut to the petrol station.

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Harrowing footage of the attack has been widely shared online
 

North Belfast, Northern Ireland. 9 June 2026. Police officers remain at the scene of a serious stabbing incident on Kinnaird Avenue in north Belfast. The PSNI said officers were called to the area shortly after 10.30pm on 8 June following reports of
Police forensics probe the scene after the attackCredit: Alamy
He went on to say: “If it was any of our family we’d hope they’d do the same. We’re just grateful we could intervene when we could.”

Matt added: “I would love to see him (Stephen) and see how he’s recovering.

“I did speak to family they thanked me. I received a message from another family. I haven’t been able to speak directly to him.

“If it was any of our family we’d hope they’d do the same. We’re just grateful we could intervene when we could.”

Vehicles on fire with large flames and smoke on Lendrick Street in Belfast.
Vehicles set on fire by protesters on Lendrick Street in BelfastCredit: PA
 

Protesters attack police vehicles during demonstrations in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Protestors attack a police vehicle on Sandy Row after the knife horrorCredit: Getty
Dramatic footage showed Matt swinging the stick several times at the suspect as he and two other men tried to stop the sickening attack.

Detectives investigating the attack have recovered a kitchen knife from the scene.

The suspect was charged on suspicion of attempted murder, possession of a bladed article and threats to kill, appearing Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Alodid is believed to have travelled from Sudan to Paris, and then from Paris to Dublin, on unknown dates, before taking a bus to Belfast in February 2023.

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The clean up has started on the streets of Belfast after protests
 

Clear up begins in East Belfast after rioting and arson attacks on homes and cars.
Homes, buses and cars caught fire as chaos erupted
Officers were scrambled to Kinnaird Avenue in the north of Belfast at around 10.30pm on Tuesday after receiving reports of the knife attack.

Harrowing footage appears to show a knifeman slashing the victim’s neck and face with a blade as onlookers yell “get off”.

One appears to shout: “He’s trying to cut his head off.”

Protests erupted in Belfast, with homes, buses and bins set alight.

Yobs in balaclavas torched cars parked on residential streets and driveways, which appear to have caused three houses to catch fire.

A bus on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast was set alight, forcing Translink to suspend its services until further notice.

Many of the protesters were dressed in dark tracksuits with their hoods up and masks on.

In response, Matt said: “Everyone is entitled to their right to protest.

“When it turns violent, then you lose sight of the protest and what it stands for.

“We’ve had a shop that’s been there 15 or 20 years, maybe longer, and it’s premises have been ruined.

“Burning a bus in Belfast costs thousands and it took so many years to build.”

SOURCE: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/39370870/hero-struck-knifeman-belfast-attack/