Dozens of locals lined the streets this morning to pay tribute to a popular north Dublin shopkeeper who died suddenly after chasing a shoplifter.
Akram Hussein suffered a sudden heart attack on Sunday, April 4 after chasing the suspected shoplifter out of the Centra shop he worked at in Drumcondra.
Much loved Akram, who was originally from Bangladesh, began his journey home where he will be reunited with his wife and teenage son.
Locals raised thousands to help repatriate his body and many of them turned out today to pay their final respects as the hearse stopped at the store.
Professor of Criminal Law and Evidence, Dublin City University, Yvonne Daly, was one of the mourners and she tweeted a glowing tribute to Akram.
She wrote: "This is Ireland. And I'm proud of it. Locals lining the street in Drumcondra this morning to show respect to our local shopkeeper Akram, who died suddenly last week, as the hearse arrived en route to bring him home to his wife and family in Bangladesh.
"A lovely man, working halfway across the world to support his family.
"It was v emotional to think of their grief as they await him, and to see the love, kindness, and respect of those who knew him here, through small interactions in our daily lives. Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasail."
The hearse arrived outside the shop to warm applause from heartbroken customers.
The song 'My Forever Friend' was played, a song described by those in attendance as "fitting".
Customers took to a local Facebook group to pay their final tributes to Akram, who had worked in the store for almost 20 years.
One woman wrote: "What a beautiful send off for an amazing bright star rest in peace Akram."
Another added: "Great too see so many turn out for him, just shows what people thought of him and I hope he knew that."
A third woman said: "Unbelievable how loved and respected this man was. So sad. RIP Akram."
