On the wall behind him hang a red Nottingham Forest football scarf, his wedding photo and more family photographs. On Saturday night, the 61-year-old fended off a man wielding a large kitchen knife on a busy train from northern England towards the UK capital. Walking down the carriage, the attacker ultimately hospitalised 11 people – including Mr Crean himself. He somehow remains mellow and composed when telling The Irish Times about the traumatic event, which he not only witnessed but intervened in. Because Mr Crean placed himself directly in front of the attacker, his fellow passengers were able to run down the carriage to relative safety.

Source: The Irish Times November 04, 2025 19:31 UTC