Deliveroo riders say they face the threat of violence every time they go to work.
Two separate investigations are underway after an assault on a Deliveroo rider in Temple Bar in Dublin last Friday night.
Footage of the attack shared online appears to show a group of people surrounding the delivery rider and throwing a glass bottle at him.
Deliveroo
Delivery rider Nathaniel told Newstalk that he is scared going to work every day.
“So, I am afraid working on the streets because I am seeing all the time the guys are attacking you,” he said.
“It not just physical. They try to steal our bikes all the time, so it is very hard to keep the bike outside while you go inside to get the food.”
He said he has eggs and other objects thrown at him – and is constantly on the lookout for people trying to steal from him.
“They are many places in Dublin you don’t go because you know the guys are going to attack you,” he said.
“I try not to work very late. I go home about 8pm because at 10pm or 11pm it is very hard to work in this city.”
Dublin
In a statement, Deliveroo said it condemns all forms of attacks or violence on riders and has launched an investigation into the incident.
These people on Grafton Street said they feel the city as a whole has become less safe;
“I kind of feel OK but I would probably be overconfident that I would be able to look after myself,” said one.
“But I know from my wife, she wouldn’t feel confident or safe walking the streets of Dublin.
“I missed a taxi home the other day and I had to walk down Parnell Street and there were so many people coming up to me,” said another. “It was 1:30 am and I was absolutely terrified.”
"Lawlessness"
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said there “is a level of lawlessness on the streets of Dublin” that he has never witnessed before.”
“Deliveroo drivers are being attacked,” he said. “I don’t know if they are being attacked because they are Deliveroo drivers or because they are being seen as migrant people.”
Gardaí said an investigation into last week’s assault is underway, but they have yet to make any assaults.
Reporting from Emma Tyrell Ní Riain
