There have been calls to give the freedom of the city to Caio Benicio, the Deliveroo driver who bravely intervened when he saw a man with a knife attacking children at Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Parnell Square East, in the north inner city, yesterday.
Mr Benicio said that he acted on instinct when he saw the little girl being attacked, dismounting from his bike and using his helmet to hit the attacker
“I didn’t even make a decision, it was pure instinct, and it was all over in seconds. He fell to the ground, I didn’t see where knife went, and other people stepped in,” he told The Journal.
“I have two kids myself, so I had to do something. I did what anyone would do. People were there but they couldn’t step in because he was armed, but I knew I could use my helmet as a weapon.”
And he said that his thoughts and prayers were with the five-year-old girl who was rushed to hospital where she was receiving treatment in critical care.
“I am praying, it’s all I am thinking of. I saw her in the ambulance, she looked so vulnerable, I had to go with gardaí then. I am waiting for news about her. I am hoping,” he said.
As the details began to emerge yesterday, Mr Benicio was being described as a hero for his actions.
I am also told, by the way, but cannot 100% confirm, that the person who intervened to stop the attacker today was a Brazilian national. Whoever he was, a hero that should not be forgotten.
— John McGuirk (@john_mcguirk) November 23, 2023
There were calls on X and other social media platforms for Mr Benicio to receive the freedom of the city for his bravery.
Caio Benicio should never have to buy a drink in this country again. https://t.co/3UeYZuvtjf
— David Kent (@KentoCCFC) November 24, 2023
Caio Benicio was the best of us today. There's no other words for it the man is a hero. https://t.co/kJA6IBs0zK
— mcdiesel (@mcdiesel88) November 24, 2023
CRECHE WORKER
A crèche worker who also stepped into defend the schoolchildren being attacked as they waited outside the school has also been described as a hero.
She was collecting children for after school care when the man launched a violent random stab attack on then on a busy Dublin street.
She received serious stab wounds to her body from the knife man and is being treated in hospital.
“This all happened in a matter of seconds and after her very brave actions another two children suffered superficial stabbing injuries to their chest and shoulder in what was a frenzied incident,” a source told the Irish Independent.
“She defended those children with all her strength – all that she was doing was trying to protect those little kids and people in what was is a very built up area in the city centre saw what was happening when they passed the school.”
A passerby who also intervened in the attack described what she saw to RTÉ News.
Siobhan Kearney, whose brother Liam Dunne died in the fire at the Stardust nightclub in 1981, was attending the inquests into that tragedy at the nearby Rotunda Hospital when the stabbing happened.
She said she saw it unfold from across the road and when asked whether the children and woman were victims of a stabbing, she said that she was told they were.
“Without thinking, I just took across the road to help out. We got another young man, disarmed him [the attacker] with the knife, another man took the knife and put it away for the garda to find it,” Ms Kearney said.
The real hero’s defending all our safety were Siobhán Kearney, Caio Benicio, @gardainfo @DubFireBrigade
We are forever in your debt.
Go raibh maith agaibh 🙏 https://t.co/AVX97OAxxJ
— Senator Mary Fitzpatrick (@votemaryfitz) November 24, 2023
Protesters gathered at the scene after the children and the injured woman were taken to hospital from the school. As the night wore on, the city centre erupted into unprecedented rioting, with opportunists then looting shops in the city centre.
BREAKING: Angry and violent scenes have erupted in Dublin City Centre tonight. Gript reporters saw fireworks fired at Gardai, and at least one Garda vehicle on fire. pic.twitter.com/3WJJ1COF6I
— gript (@griptmedia) November 23, 2023
— gript (@griptmedia) November 23, 2023