Local candidate Caio Benicio will ‘give a voice’ to immigrant workers if elected

Caio Benico has said that Fianna Fáil have given him 'the freedom. Pictures: Gareth Chaney

A former Deliveroo cyclist who helped rescue a five-year-old child during a knife attack in Dublin last year said he will represent immigrant workers and highlight road safety if elected to the city council.

Brazilian Caio Benicio, who is running as a Fianna Fáil candidate in Dublin north inner city, said migrant workers are “essential” to the Irish workforce.

“I want to give them a voice. I don’t have a lot of power to change big things, but I am not naïve,” the 39-year-old said.

“Whatever I say, I will be criticised. But I want to help people who come here to work hard here, pay their taxes, and help their families. I was one of them.

“The migrant workers are making up a large part of the community — if they all went home, there would be big problems in the Irish workforce,” he said.

Mr Benicio moved to Ireland in 2022 to become a Deliveroo cyclist after his restaurant went on fire in 2019 following a freak accident with electrical poles on the street.

He was unable to reopen because of covid and he did not have the money to cover his debts.

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The father of two was cycling on Parnell Street on November 23 when there was a random knife attack on three school children and a creche worker.

He intervened along with other rescuers and a GoFundMe page later raised more than €350,000 for him in thanks.

“I could have gone home and sat by the beach for the rest of my life, but I don’t want that. I feel I have responsibility. I was able to go home and pay all my debts. It’s a miracle to do that.

I am happy with the approach by Fianna Fáil, they are giving me the freedom to work on the things I believe in.”

There are more than 70,000 Brazilians living in Ireland and around 1,300 businesses run by the community.

“I have a lot of support, including from the from the Brazilian Ambassador to Ireland Marcel Biato. I know there is an issue with homelessness here,” Mr Benicio said.

Caio Benico has said that while road safety in Dublin is better in comparison with Brazil, it is still something he would like to work on as there are bikes stolen and accidents occurring.

“Some politicians don’t want to talk about it, but I do, and we have to face it and deal with it. I have met the asylum seekers living in tents on Mount Street. My family will come and live here next year when my 19-year-old daughter finishes university.

“I want to focus also on road safety. I do believe — in comparison to Brazil — Dublin is safe, but there is a lot of stolen bikes, and road accidents.

“I want to work with the gardaí and council to help make things safer for everyone,” he said.