November 23, 2023: An Garda Síochána and emergency services at the scene of the serious incident on Parnell Square East. RollingNews.ie
The mother of the five-year-old girl who was critically injured during the knife attack in Dublin's Parnell Square East on November 23 has provided an update.
“Thank you so much for the incredible gesture and kindness you have shown our family during these troubled times,” the girl’s mother said in an update shared on the “Barróg do Chailín Beag” ["A Hug for a Little Girl"] GoFundMe page on December 1.
"Your thoughts, prayers and generosity have and will go a long way.
“Our little girl has shown incredible strength and still here with us.
"We don't know yet what lies ahead as it is still early, but she is resilient and limitations will not stop her.
“Thank you so much. All the love we can give."
The GoFundMe, launched by Róisín Fitzgerald on November 24, has raised nearly €30k, far exceeding its €500 goal. It is one of seven pages that have been verified by GoFundMe in the wake of the knife attack in Parnell Square East.
On November 23, An Garda Síochána said that a serious assault occurred on Parnell Square East in Dublin's City Centre shortly after 1:30 pm that afternoon.
The incident occurred near Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire.
Three children and a carer from the school, Leanne Flynn, were hospitalized after the attack; the six-year-old girl and the five-year-old boy have since been discharged.
According to the Irish Times on Monday, Flynn remains in hospital in a serious condition along with the five-year-old girl who suffered the most serious injuries.
The suspect, a 49-year-old man, also remains in hospital where he is being treated for serious head injuries. Gardaí are awaiting medical clearance before interviewing him, the Irish Times reports.
According to RTÉ, Gardaí previously said that they are following a "definite line of enquiry" and are not looking for anyone else at present in connection with the attack.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe for Caio Benicio, the delivery driver who helped stop the attack, has raised nearly €370k. Benicio said last week that he intends to support the young victim and her family with the money that's been donated to the viral "Buy Caio a pint" GoFundMe page.
Benicio told the Irish Examiner last week that he met with the young girl's parents on November 27.
“I called to the hospital to see them,” he said.
“The mother and father spoke to me, and they were so nice, they thanked me and they were so grateful.
“I really didn’t want the praise. I just worry for the child because she is very sick. I pray for her.
"I called to the hospital and the mother, she was so grateful and the father also.
“She told me the little girl is fighting hard. I feel better after speaking with them."
Benicio, who has since met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and was presented with a Merit Award for bravery from the Brazilian Embassy in Dublin, has shared a heartfelt open letter thanking his "Irish friends" for "being such kind and lovely people."
He wrote: "Yes, I speak a different language. Yes, I have an accent. But, I love here so much that I would defend this country like a true Irishman would!"