A hero Deliveroo driver has revealed how he stopped the man who injured three children and two adults on Thursday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Parnell Square East on Thursday afternoon following reports that a man had stabbed several people outside a school.
One girl, aged five, was left critically injured while a woman remains in hospital receiving treatment.
On Thursday night, Caio Benicio, 43, spoke of how he removed his helmet and hit the attacker in a moment of incredible bravery before the assailant, believed to be aged in his 50s, was detained by the police.
In a voice message reportedly sent to his friends, he said: "I saw the guy pulling the teacher, picking up the child. I stopped to see what was happening, I thought it was a normal fight."
The attacker then pulled a knife. "Man, I threw the bike on the ground and went after the guy... I didn't even think about it," he said. "I took off my helmet and hit the helmet on his head, which knocked the guy down."
The Brazilian told The Journal: “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.
“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.”
Following the attack, his thoughts have now turned to the little girl who remains in a critical condition.
“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.
Riots broke out across Dublin city centre on Thursday night following the attack.
Police cars, buses and trams were all torched as some demonstrators clashed with local police.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, said 34 people have been arrested following what he called "huge destruction by a riotous mob".
He said 13 shops have been significantly damaged or subjected to looting and 11 Garda cars were damaged during the chaotic scenes in Dublin.
He told a press conference on Friday: "These (riots) are scenes that we have not seen in decades but what is clear is that people have been radicalised through social media and the internet.
"But I don't want to lose focus on the terrible event in terms of the dreadful assault on schoolchildren and their teacher.
"There's a full investigation ongoing. There's also a full investigation in respect on the disorder."
