‘Justice for João’ protest after delivery driver loses leg

A PROTEST was held in the city centre this week after the son of a Brazilian mayor had his leg severed when he was struck by a garda car at the M50 on-ramp in Tallaght last Saturday.

Gardaí were responding to reports of a stolen motorbike when the incident occurred, which saw João Henrique, who has lived in Ireland for five years, lose part of his right leg.

Gardaí were initially alerted to an armed robbery on Saturday afternoon in the Kilgobbin Wood area of Sandyford.

A number of youths armed with hammers were alleged to have been involved in the theft of a motorbike before fleeing the scene.

It had been fitted with a tracking device and the owner, along with several friends, including Mr Henrique, followed the stolen bike.

The motorbike owner and their friends stopped near the Tallaght on-ramp of the M50 shortly after 3.15pm and were beside the metal crash barrier when the collision occurred.

On Monday, a group of protesters gathered at the Spire on O’Connell Street and made their way to Pearse Street Garda Station, holding banners calling for ‘Justice for João’.

Mr Henrique, who works as a delivery driver, is the son of Anderson Farias, the mayor of the city of São José dos Campos, which is near São Paolo.

In a social media post, Mr Farias wrote: “With deep sadness, I share that my son, João Henrique, suffered a serious accident in Ireland and is undergoing surgery in the hospital.

“The distance squeezes my heart, as I cannot be by his side at this difficult time. My wife is on her way to Dublin to provide support.

“I would like to thank everyone for showing their support for him. I will keep everyone informed as soon as I have more information.”

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