Hero delivery driver who intervened in Dublin knife attack to run in local elections

“I want to carry on helping people.”

The Brazilian Deliveroo driver, will stand for Fianna Fail in June’s elections, for Dublin North Inner City.

The 43-year-old was on the street when the attack took place in Dublin last November.

He stepped in to subdue the attacker with his helmet after spotting the attack, saying that his actions were “pure instinct”.

Speaking at the Fianna Fail 1916 Commemoration at Arbour Hill on Sunday, Mr Benicio said his priorities as a councillor would be around road safety and immigration.

Stating that he will ‘be a voice’ for immigrants and those working in the gig economy, Mr Benicio added: “My motivation is I want to carry on helping people and this is where you have the power to really help people.”

He continued: “People were so kind to me and I think I have to pay them back and this is the way I think I can help most.”

Caio Benicio, delivery driver who intervened in Dublin knife attack, to run in local elections

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said that he “delighted” that Mr Benicio will be running for local elections.

In a tweet, Mr Martin said: “I am delighted that Caio Benicio will contest the upcoming local elections for Fianna Fail in the Dublin North Inner City Local Electoral Area.

I am delighted that Caio Benicio will contest the upcoming local elections for @fiannafailparty in the Dublin North Inner City Local Electoral Area.

Caio wants to play a greater role in his community and I think he will make a very fine public representative. pic.twitter.com/qutI5Urn33

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) April 21, 2024

“Caio wants to play a greater role in his community and I think he will make a very fine public representative.”

Following his heroics during the attack, a GoFundMe was set up for the Brazilian, with nearly €370,000 raised for him and his family.

Speaking to The Journal in November, Mr Benicio detailed his experience of the attack which saw a five-year-old girl and a creche worker in her 30s sustain serious injuries, while two other children were also injured.

“I didn’t even make a decision, it was pure instinct, and it was all over in seconds,” Mr Benicio said.

“He fell to the ground, I didn’t see where the knife went, and other people stepped in.”

Benicio, who came to Ireland for work after his restaurant burned down in Brazil, said that he used his helmet as a weapon to disarm the attacker.

“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.”