The small acts of kindness that stood out during one of Dublin's bleakest nights
There was a heart-warming display of kindness and solidarity against the backdrop of last night's violence in Dublin.
Years ago during the terrorist attack on Paris, my children had a lot of questions about what was going on. It’s so hard to protect them from the news; other children in the yard share snippets of what they’ve heard, causing unease about what’s going on in the world, especially when you are little.
"Look for the helpers", I told them, "there are always those who turn up to help. So we will focus on that."
Last night, my wide-eyed son asked me why the army had come to Dublin. How far was the riot from our home, he asked tightly. We live in Dublin, and he’s familiar with the city centre. It all felt very real to him, very close.
In every tragedy like this, there are those brave souls who run towards the fire; the emergency services, the reporters, the heroic bystanders who rush instinctively to help.
We look for the helpers, because for every reaction there’s an equal and opposite reaction. That counterbalance to the violent scenes we watched unfold last night should be celebrated.
Across social media, incidents of human kindness and warmth have been highlighted from those offering lifts or to accompany nervous people to a safe place, to the courage of those trying to maintain order in the chaos.
Writer Martina Devlin pointed out it was important to "note it was a Brazilian Deliveroo rider who helped to tackle the man with knife attacking little kids in Dublin City Centre. This brave individual who intervened is from Rio and just a year in Ireland."
When interviewed by reporters, that man, Caio Benicio admitted that "I didn't even make a decision, it was pure instinct." His first reaction was to help and he wasn't alone. That's the good in the world that we need to celebrate today.
Grainne Dwyer, who is from West Cork but lives in Dublin, took to social media to offer her assistance. “If there are any medical staff from the #Rotunda too tired to drive/walk home Friday from extended shifts. I have a large car & available to drop people home - I live 7 mins away. Luas won’t be running from Dominick to the city DM me if you need a helping hand”
The maternity hospital was at the epicentre of the rioting last night and had asked people to stay away from the hospital unless absolutely necessary. I can’t imagine how vulnerable new mothers or those battling difficult pregnancies might have felt as the violence unfolded beneath their windowstills.
The hospital itself issued a poignant press release earlier today: "The Rotunda Hospital welcomes and benefits from a very diverse workforce and it is vital that all staff feel valued, respected and are free to come and go to their workplace without harassment or intimidation."
Zoe Holahan was another person who was extremely grateful for the small, big acts of kindness that shone through last night. “Thank you to the lovely taxi driver who got me off O'Connell Bridge just as the swarm arrived from nowhere," she wrote. "We watched in shock belting down the quays as Dublin city behind us turned into #hell. Garda cars, City Bus & Luas all on fire. Sad & scared tonight.”
Collie Ennis, a Zoology research associate and Security officer at TCD said that "despite all the madness and thuggery going on last night, I've never been more proud to be part of the Trinity College Community. The staff and students pulled together to take care and support each other and stranded members of the public so well. A ray of light on a dark day."
Elsewhere, Dublin store Arnotts also put out a statement underlining their continued resilience. “Arnotts is a very special place, made up of great people and throughout its 180-year history, Arnotts has not alone survived but thrived through tough times, emergencies and many crisis. Arnotts is Dublin’s department store, it is part of Dublin so shame on those people last night for what they did to our city and out beautiful store. They may have damaged our store and stolen some merchandise but they can never damage the Arnotts spirit. We will not allow them.
Newstalk reporter Simon Tierney pointed out that his wife is Brazilian; “My children are half Irish/half Brazilian, and it broke my heart when Ingrid said to me last night, ‘they don’t want us here’. And then a surge of indignant pride when it was discovered that it was a Brazilian, Caio Benicio, who stopped the attack.”
Solicitor Mesenbet Assefa, who has been living and studying in Ireland for four years, said he’d never witnessed any form of violence in Irish society up until now. “I felt safe and secured because of that. Heartbreaking to hear such unprecedented violence in Dublin. Stay strong Ireland. Our hearts are with you.’
Many also took the opportunity to commend the work of the Gardaí and emergency services. Steve Jacques wrote "Thank you Gardaí for doing all you can to keep Dublin safe and under control last night. You did so well under the pressure of facing a bunch of out-of-control hooligans who do not represent Ireland in any shape or form.”
Sometimes everything looks the same in the mist, but when bad things happen, always look for the helpers, towards the light.
