A gentleman seen often on the telly, a familiar face to many, is recognised by a man from his home situated on Clonliffe Road in the northern part of Dublin. The recipient of this compliment is Caio Benício, a Brazilian-born Deliveroo worker who now seeks a seat in the local elections, following his bold intervention during a violent occurrence at a school on Parnell Street the previous year.
While completing his delivery responsibilities on November 23rd, right near Coláiste Mhuire in central Dublin, Benício (43) came across a concerning scene: a man was assaulting a care worker and three minors with a knife. Not one to ignore such an alarming situation, he stepped in immediately, thereby preventing further harm. The child and the care worker, however, did suffer significant injuries.
Following the incident, Benício received widespread acclaim for his bravery, gaining the admiration of many and even raising a considerable sum of money through a website set up in his honour.
Benício, formerly of Fianna Fáil, announced in April of his intention to participate in the local electoral proceedings for Dublin’s north inner city region.
Whilst canvassing the area on a Thursday evening, knocking door-to-door, Benício expressed that the idea of him pursuing a political career had never previously occurred to him. “I acted without considering my personal risk that day. I could’ve been hurt, but I felt like it was the right thing to do. My convictions stand firm today as well,” said Benício.
Furthermore, if he’s elected, Benício is hopeful that he can emerge as a strong advocate for the immigrant population who, according to him, work diligently and require “a better existence for their families”, contributing to the economy via tax payment.
After his eatery in Brazil burned down, Benício relocated to Dublin’s East Wall. He plans to bring his family, who are still in Brazil and tentatively preparing to migrate once his daughter completes university, to Ireland the following year.
When addressing potential voters, he speaks of his intimate knowledge of the north inner city gained from his work as a delivery rider, claiming to know “each nook and cranny”. His campaign seems to be appreciated by the community, with one individual commenting, “It’s refreshing to encounter new faces presenting innovative ideas.”
Chris McLoughlin, a 90-year-old Dublin 3 resident, expresses his enthusiasm about engaging with electoral candidates, stating that such discussions are essential given the current problems facing the region. Among the key issues, McLoughlin highlights the city’s unsightly state resulting from the excessive littering and dumping.
During the interaction, McLoughlin encounters Benício, an individual renowned for his bravery. Their meeting arouses a mild surprise in McLoughlin, as he wasn’t accustomed to people of foreign origin taking active interest in local politics. Yet, Benício insists he has adequate understanding of local issues, a claim further backed by his affiliation with Fianna Fáil.
McLoughlin underscores the importance of candidates aligning with political parties for effective influence, but admits he is not a strong supporter of Fianna Fáil himself. He slams the party for their long tenure in the government and the missed opportunities during that period.
While discussing his political association with Fianna Fáil, Benício highlights the collective work ethos that binds him and the party. He accentuates the necessity of team efforts in politics. Local Fianna Fáil senator, Mary Fitzpatrick, affirms Benício’s committed approach towards politics, despite his inexperience.
Fitzpatrick observes a positive response towards Benício from local residents. However, illegal dumping, crime and antisocial behaviour being their major concerns, immigration-related issues have received less attention.
While campaigning on the streets of Dublin, Benício does not experience a lot of criticism due to his nationality, even with the presence of disparaging remarks on his social media platforms. Fitzpatrick states that urban dwellers are enamoured by city life’s thrill and diversity, hence not viewing migration as an issue except when it relates to concerns about growing homeless encampments.
Fitzpatrick perceives the residents’ appreciation of Benício’s bravery to take action during a crucial period in their community. She believes that he has established a level of trust among the locals and they do not doubt his capability to make a difference if elected to the city council.
Benício is cognizant of the harsh comments that have been made about him on social media platforms, but he is not intimidated. He views these as remarks from a minor segment of the population, which he believes do not represent the overall sentiments of the Irish populace. He asserts his resilience – the negative comments will not deter him, and he remains unfazed by them.