Hero bystanders who intervened in Belfast knife attack praised as ‘best of humanity’

Members of the public who responded to a stabbing attack in Belfast have been praised as “the best of humanity”.

Footage on social media showed a man trying to stop a man, including a man wielding a stick, from attacking his victim in a residential area off the busy Antrim Road in north Belfast on Monday night.

A man was later charged with attempted murder by Northern Ireland Police and will appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Speaking in the House of Commons about the investigation into the attack, Northern Ireland secretary Hilary Benn thanked those around who tried to stop the attack.

“Amidst the horror of what happened, we also saw something extraordinary,” he said. “Encountered with horrific scenes of violence, the people did not move away.

You can read the latest updates on the investigation Here

“Instead, some stepped forward and, risking their own safety, intervened to remove the attacker and protect the victim until police arrived.

“I would like to say to these individuals, you have shown the best of humanity, and this entire House is deeply grateful to you.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the victim, aged in his forties, was in a serious condition with serious injuries to his face, neck and back.

The force launched a “critical incident” in response to the attack, which sparked widespread condemnation and expressions of concern across the political spectrum in Northern Ireland and beyond.

Other MPs also praised those who intervened after Mr Benn.

Local MP John Finucane said they showed “extraordinary bravery” and may have saved the victim’s life.

“For their autonomous actions, I think they showed extraordinary bravery and bravery to intervene, to put themselves in danger, to save a man’s life, and I’m sure I want to thank them on behalf of everyone,” he said while visiting the scene.

Mr Finucane said his thoughts were first and foremost with the victim, his family and friends, but also with the citizens who witnessed what happened, the police who encountered the horrific incident and the first responders at the Ambulance Service.

He described the area as a quiet residential area where families live, a “very normal part of Belfast” where people woke up on Tuesday to find “something very terrible happening on their doorstep”.

“It was absolutely shocking for them, they were now witnesses to a live police investigation into an attempted murder,” he said.

“There were people returning from work, there were passers-by, there were people who intervened and naturally they were traumatized and upset.

“Finding themselves in a relatively quiet neighbourhood, they are now the focus of both local and international media attention.

“They will need all the support they can get over the next time and they need to be free to present their evidence to the police so that the police have the strongest evidence to ensure that someone is charged, brought before our courts and feels the full weight of our criminal justice process.”

Meanwhile, Mr Benn also called for calm and the initiation of the criminal process.

DUP leader Gavin Robinson suggested the alleged perpetrator was in the UK on a five-year visa, but the cabinet minister said he could not currently confirm the immigration status of the suspected attacker.

The leaders of Stormont’s five largest parties issued a joint statement in response to the attack.

Sinn Féin deputy leader and Stormont first minister Michelle O’Neill, DUP leader Gavin Robinson, Alliance Party leader Naomi Long, UUP leader Jon Burrows and SDLP leader Claire Hanna said they were “united in condemning the appalling incident in North Belfast last night”.

“There is no place for this kind of brutality in our society,” they said.

“Our immediate thoughts are with the victim and his family and we hope for his full recovery. Our thoughts are also with the eyewitnesses of the incident and the brave citizens who intervened.

“We recognize the distress and fear this incident will cause in the local community. We urge people not to share deeply disturbing images or videos as their graphic nature will only serve to re-traumatize those involved.”

Condemning the incident, Sir Keir said: “The horrific attack in Belfast last night is sickening.

“I have absolutely no tolerance for such disgusting scenes of violence on our streets. My thoughts are first and foremost with the victim and I thank the first responders, including the public, who intervened.”