The Irish Taxi Federation has called for laws to allow syringe attackers to be charged with attempted murder.
The move follows a hatchet and syringe attack on a 25 year old taxi driver in Inchicore, Dublin, early yesterday.
Gardai said the male passenger may have stabbed the driver in the back with the syringe. The man, who suffered injuries to his face, head and arms, was treated at St James's Hospital.
The attack took place after the driver picked up a fare at Charlemont Street at 1.40 a.m. and drove the passenger to St Michael's Estate. Another man who appeared to be waiting rushed at the vehicle and attacked it with a hatchet before struggling with the driver. The men escaped with a small amount of cash. The president of the Irish Taxi Federation, Mr John Ussher, said it was time for the authorities to "get to grips" with the increasing number of syringe attacks on taxi drivers.