Current:Home > BackBrazilian delivery driver called "real Irish hero" for intervening in Dublin knife attack-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Brazilian delivery driver called "real Irish hero" for intervening in Dublin knife attack
View Date:2024-12-23 20:20:39
A Brazilian delivery driver branded a hero for helping subdue a knife-wielding assailant suspected of attacking children outside an Irish school told AFP Saturday that he acted "like every parent would."
A five-year-old girl sustained serious injuries and remains in hospital following the stabbing attack, which then sparked the worst night of rioting in Ireland's capital Dublin for nearly two decades.
Authorities say that unconfirmed reports circulating on social media that the stabbings were carried out by an "illegal immigrant" ultimately sparked the disorder, which saw vehicles burned and stores looted.
Caio Benicio, who works for the Deliveroo takeaway app, used his motorcycle helmet to stop the unnamed suspect as he allegedly stabbed three children and a woman.
The 43-year-old and other interventions by passers-by were praised by Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar, who branded them "the real Irish heroes."
But Benicio — a dad to a 12-year-old boy and daughter, 19 — said that he does not think of himself as "a hero", as he revisited the scene of the horrific attack in Dublin.
"I'm a parent. I have two kids myself. I think every parent would do the same," he said of his spur-of-the-moment actions. "It's something that you don't think about, (you) just act."
Benicio was greeted by numerous people on the street, who shook his hand and commended him for his bravery.
He said the local response and a call from his children were "priceless."
"It's nice to make them proud," he told AFP. "That's very, very nice."
Benicio was aided in disarming the attacker by a trainee chef from France, who has been in Dublin on an internship at a local restaurant since October.
The 17-year-old student, who suffered minor injuries to his hand and face, received a congratulatory phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday.
Benicio reiterated Saturday that the riot by around 500 people, who authorities have said were encouraged by far-right agitators, "makes no sense."
"The protest is against immigrants, and I'm an immigrant myself and I was the one to help out," he added. "Anyway, I think it was a small group of people (responsible) that they don't even know what they're doing, fighting for."
Benicio noted Irish people had always treated him "very well" and were "very friendly" during his time in the country.
- In:
- Dublin
- Stabbing
- Ireland
veryGood! (785)
Related
- What Happened to Kevin Costner’s Yellowstone Character? John Dutton’s Fate Revealed
- Inside Keanu Reeves' Private World: Love, Motorcycles and Epic Movie Stardom After Tragedy
- Taylor Swift ticket buying difficulties sparked outrage, but few reforms. Consumer advocates are up in arms.
- 5 former employees at Georgia juvenile detention facility indicted in 16-year-old girl’s 2022 death
- Fantasy football buy low, sell high: 10 trade targets for Week 11
- Are Target, Costco, Walmart open on Labor Day? Store hours for Home Depot, TJ Maxx, more
- AI project imagines adult faces of children who disappeared during Argentina’s military dictatorship
- Russia-North Korea arms negotiations actively advancing, White House says
- Old Navy's Early Black Friday Deals Start at $1.97 -- Get Holiday-Ready Sweaters, Skirts, Puffers & More
- Workplace safety officials slap Albuquerque, contractor with $1.1M fine for asbestos exposure
Ranking
- Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest on charge of operating vehicle while intoxicated
- HUD secretary learns about housing challenges during Alaska visit
- India's moon rover finds sulfur, other elements in search for water near lunar south pole
- In Idalia's wake, a path of destruction and the start of cleanup
- We Can Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street—and Even More Secrets About the Beloved Show
- Iowa man sentenced to 50 years in drowning death of his newborn
- Whatever happened to the 'period day off' policy?
- Employers added 187,000 jobs in August, unemployment jumps to 3.8%
Recommendation
-
Olivia Munn Says She “Barely Knew” John Mulaney When She Got Pregnant With Their Son
-
Carlee Russell’s Ex-Boyfriend Thomar Latrell Simmons Gives Tell-All on Abduction Hoax
-
Sting delivers a rousing show on My Songs tour with fan favorites: 'I am a very lucky man'
-
How one man fought a patent war over turmeric
-
Rita Ora pays tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Europe Music Awards: 'He brought so much joy'
-
Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concert film opening same day as latest Exorcist movie
-
This romcom lets you pick the ending — that doesn't make it good
-
Burning Man attendees advised to conserve food and water after rains