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Deliveroo cyclists say they feel scared and unsafe delivering food on the streets of Dublin after the death of Brazilian Thiago Cortes in a fatal hit-and-run on Monday night.
Foreign nationals working for food delivery companies told the Irish Times they are feeling increasingly nervous about riding their bikes alone through the capital after a series of attacks and traffic incidents. Now, after the death of Mr. Cortés, some are looking for work elsewhere.
The 28-year-old died after being hit by a speeding car on North Wall Quay on Monday. Mr. Cortés was delivering food for Deliveroo at the time of the incident and had only started work a fortnight ago.
Max, * says rumors are now circulating that the hit-and-run vehicle intentionally targeted Mr. Cortés and that gangs are waiting to jump on delivery cyclists at different locations in the city.
Max, who is from Brazil and has worked with Deliveroo for almost two years, was hospitalized last December after a group of young people beat him with an iron stick and stole his bicycle. He was unable to hear in one ear for several weeks and now he often feels scared when riding his bike after dark. This week his friend who also works with Deliveroo was hit with a hurl in Dublin 8, he told the Irish Times.
Harassment and attacks
“Honestly, we felt that this was something that was going to happen at some point,” he says in connection with the death of Mr. Cortés. “We have experienced so much harassment and attacks before this that we were expecting it. It feels like we’ve lost a family member, I was so young. “
William Santos, who has worked as a Deliveroo delivery man since 2018, loved riding his bike around town and keeping fit. However, he says that cyclists have begun to learn not to accept deliveries in “dangerous areas” where they are more likely to be harassed or robbed. Santos, who was punched in the face by a man while making a delivery in Inchicore last year, says he frequently reports to the gardaí, but they often say they cannot follow up on the incident.
“They just tell me that I shouldn’t go into that area because it’s dangerous. But I don’t understand how a police officer cannot do anything, we need to know that it is safe when we work.
“Every day we wake up and pray that Gold will bless us so that we can have a good day and return home safely. When you work every day in fear it is difficult. “
Mariana, who preferred not to give her last name, started working with Deliveroo a year ago. She says groups of children throw rocks, eggs, and most recently fireworks at her as she passes by. Last May, she got off her bike after being hit by a vehicle in the city center.
“I hit my head and hurt my chin and had to rest a week later because my body was sore. Now every time I ride my bike, I think about it and worry about it happening again. I try to cycle slowly but again the customer wants their food to arrive immediately. “
Mariana started delivering food with Deliveroo last year.
Mariana began looking for a new job shortly after learning of the death of Mr. Cortés. “I tried to work on Thursday, I need to pay the rent and the bills, but I was only able to do it for an hour. She was more afraid of cars and confrontations with teenagers. We are trying to support each other, but we fear something bad will happen. “
Shalom *, another Brazilian Deliveroo cyclist, says she has been having trouble sleeping this week since learning of Cortés’s death. “Even without meeting her, it’s like my brother has died.”
In May, her husband Joao * was detained at knife point while delivering a food delivery in Dublin 8. “A teenager appeared in front of the motorcycle … he put a knife or sharp-pointed tool to his neck and my husband handed the bike is over, “he said. The couple are no longer accepting food orders for certain parts of the city and have decided to take a break from Deliveroo for a few days after Cortés died.
“We are waiting for things to calm down but deliveries are our only income. We delivery men just want to be able to work in peace. We want to collect the food and deliver it to the customer without thinking that they will steal or run over us ”.
* Speakers requested the use of pseudonyms to protect their identity
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