A Brazilian delivery driver hailed as a hero for his role in apprehending a knife-wielding attacker outside an Irish school said that he acted "like any parent would," according to a statement provided to AFP on Saturday.
The attack, which left a five-year-old girl with serious injuries, led to widespread rioting in Dublin, the worst the city has seen in nearly two decades.
Caio Benicio, an employee of the Deliveroo food delivery app, used his motorcycle helmet to subdue the suspect, who had allegedly stabbed three children and a woman.
The 43-year-old Benicio, along with other bystanders who intervened, received praise from Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who referred to them as "the true heroes of Ireland."
However, Benicio, who is a father to a 12-year-old boy and a 19-year-old daughter, downplayed his actions, stating that he does not consider himself a hero. He returned to the scene of the horrific attack in Dublin.
Teenage Immigrant hailed as hero for disarming attacker in Dublin
March 15, 2022
A teenage immigrant in Dublin is being praised as a hero after he disarmed an attacker during a recent protest. The 17-year-old, named Benicio, intervened when a man brandishing a knife approached a group of protesters. "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's bravery did not go unnoticed, as he was greeted by numerous people on the street who commended him for his actions. He also received a congratulatory phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron.
The teenager, who suffered minor injuries to his hand and face, expressed his disbelief at the motives behind the protest. "The protest is against immigrants, and I'm an immigrant myself and I was the one to help out," he said. "Anyway, I think it was a small group of people (responsible) that they don't even know what they're doing, fighting for."
Despite the incident, Benicio noted that Irish people have always treated him well and were very friendly during his time in the country.
