Brazilian delivery driver Caio Benicio who intervened in a shock knife attack in Dublin last year has announced plans to run in local elections. 

Mr Benicio will be running as a Fianna Fáil candidate for Dublin North Inner City. 

Speaking at the Fianna Fáil 1916 Commemoration today, Mr Benicio said he would focus on road safety and immigration. 

He said he hopes to represent immigrants and those working in the gig economy. 

The Brazilian native was hailed a hero when he used his helmet to intervene in a knife attack that left three children and one woman in hospital on November 23rd. 

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he is “delighted” to see Mr Benicio contest the local elections this summer. 

“Caio wants to play a greater role in his community, and I think he will make a very fine public representative,” he said. 

Mr Benicio will contend the election along with existing candidates Anne-Marie Connolly and Isabel Oliveira. 

Benicio intervening in knife attack

He previously told Newstalk said he has two children of his own – and on November 23rd when he saw the knife, he acted without thinking. 

“When you see a man with a knife, I think she was five years old - a little girl - you don't have time to think too much,” he said. 

“It's so quick you just act like an instinct. 

“That's what I did, I think all parents who have kids would do the same.” 

He said he doesn’t “want to make [himself] a hero”. 

“I think everyone would do the same, as parents, would do the same,” he said. 

He said he feels “very safe” living in Ireland, adding that the riots following the attack were driven by a small group of people who were using it as an excuse to do what they did. 

Local elections will take place on June 7th.