Racist attacks on fast food delivery staff 'a threat to industry'

Fast food delivery workers have been subjected to racist attacks which threaten the industry, it has been reported, with fears that delivery services could be suspended in some areas of Dublin as a result.

According to the Herald, workers have been shot with pellet guns, beaten with clubs and threatened with knives while trying to make deliveries.

It is understood that over a dozen such attacks have occurred over the past two months in Tallaght, Citywest and Jobstown.

Gardaí have special operations to target those involved, which have led to five arrests.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland says a rise in attacks on fast food delivery workers in Dublin does not come as a surprise.

"More than one in 10 racist incidents reported to us last year involved an act of physical violence," ICI spokesman Jerry O'Connor said.

"These are not minor incidents - these are incidents where people had a punch thrown at them or they were mugged."