A boy told how he feared for his life when he got in the crossfire of angry Deliveroo drivers who had been targeted by thugs during a vigil for tragic colleague Thiago Cortes.
The 28-year-old Brazilian delivery cyclist was mowed down in a shocking hit-and-run at North Wall Quay on Monday and sadly died in hospital the following day.
Hundreds gathered at the Spire on Dublin's O'Connell Street and walked to North Wall Quay in solidarity honouring Thiago - but the peaceful march soon turned violent.
As previously covered on Dublin Live, a huge clash between the mourners and a gang of thugs soon broke out on Buckingham Street when yobs threw what is believed to be a firework at the Deliveroo drivers.
But one innocent young Dub on his way to training was wrongly targeted by Thiago's grieving colleagues, who mistook him for one of the local thugs.
Odhran Moore was circled by some drivers who "grabbed him, rammed him with their wheels and stole his training bag" in a frightening case of mistaken identity.
Odhran's mum told Dublin Live: "He was walking over to his boxing club Corinthians BC at around 6:20pm on Buckingham Street and a group of Deliveroo drivers mistook him for being part of the group of kids who had thrown a firework at them.
"They were very aggressive towards him and grabbed his training bag with all his boxing gear in it and threw it into the food container on the bike.
"Then, they started ramming their front wheels into him and circled around him so he couldn't leave.
"They were shouting at him and wouldn't let him go and kept dragging out of him."
The frightened mum understands why the delivery drivers are angry and that she stands behind them but in this case, they got the wrong child.
She added: "I know the drivers get an awful life from some kids and the job conditions are shocking.
"It's awful their colleague was killed, so understandably they were angry but they targeted the wrong child in this case to vent their frustration."
But Sueann added that one of the drivers got in touch with her yesterday to say sorry for the incident and had managed to get some of his stuff back.
She added: "I was contacted on Thursday by a driver who apologised on behalf of the other drivers not involved and made it clear they did not support any violence.
"He said that they had assumed the fireworks were in the bag and that was why they grabbed it from him.
"He said he would do his best to get the stuff back. He left the bag on the chair in a restaurant as he had to head out to another job.
"I thanked him via text and he said he'd do his best to recover the rest.
"The gloves, headgear and wrapping material were in the bag, but his clothes and boots are still missing.
"I've been contacted by another man who works with the company and Odhran is sending him a list of what is still missing."
"He's grateful to the kind driver who got some of his stuff back and he hopes the rest is returned soon and also wants to send his condolences to Thiago's family and friends."
Odhran's mum added that she wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped with the situation.
A spokeswoman for Deliveroo said: "Deliveroo spokesperson said: “Given tragic recent events, the vigil in honour of Thiago Cortes was a highly emotional event.
"Deliveroo is aware of this incident and will reach out to the police to offer our support in any action that they wish to take.
"Everyone at the company is deeply saddened by the shocking and tragic passing of Thiago Cortes, and our first thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
