A taxi driver who told a garda he should be “prosecuting the blacks” and not him in a foul-mouthed outburst has been convicted of breaching a taxi driver code of conduct.
Noel Pearse, of Ballydoole, Pallaskenry, appeared before Limerick District Court Thursday, on foot of a number of summonses including, failing to produce a driving licence; failing to behave in a civil manner while in charge of a public service vehicle; and failing to wear a seat belt.
Under Article 52 (b) of Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicle) Regulation Act, 1963, all drivers of public service vehicles (PSV) must behave in a civil, orderly, and respectful manner.
The court heard gardaí signalled to Mr Pearse, (55), and a number of other taxi drivers to move off an unauthorised taxi rank where they had been waiting for fares on September 9th 2014.
Garda Jeffrey Kenny said all the drivers but Mr Pearse moved out of the area.
After approaching Mr Pearse, and asking him to move on, he claimed the defendant “became abusive” and told him he was “waiting for a fare”.
Garda Kenny said Mr Pearse told him he should be “prosecuting the blacks” and not him, and told him to “f**k off” on a number of occasions.
Mr Pearse denied all of the allegations.
Mr Pearse’s solicitor, Darragh McCarthy, said the defendant was “feeling unwell” on the night, and that this “may have accounted for his conduct and demeanour”.
Judge Mary Larkin convicted and fined Mr Pearse €350 for failing to behave in a civil manner. She also fined him €150 for failing to wear a seat belt and took into consideration the driving licence summons.
*Clarification: Mr Pearse was successful in his appeal of his District Court prosecutions. Edited on June 7th, 2019.