TAXI DRIVERS FROM all over the country will come together next month to discuss potential new safety measures.
It follows an overnight incident in which a driver was threatened at knife-point, badly beaten and had his car stolen in Palmerstown, west Dublin.
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack. The driver, who is originally from Pakistan, was taken for treatment to Blanchardstown Hospital with what were described as “non-life threatening injuries”.
Earlier this month, a driver had his car hijacked close to Dublin’s North Wall Quay. Two of the young men who carried out the theft died when the car was crashed into a lock bridge on the quay a short time later.
The Irish Taxi Forum, which represents the majority of drivers in the country, will discuss what extra safety precautions and alert systems could be brought in when they hold their next monthly meeting.
Members are examining whether a roof-top alert light could be used to make other taxi drivers or authorities in the area aware that an emergency is under way.
President of the Irish Taxi Drivers’ Federation John Usher says they will also seek advice from other representative groups in Europe on what could be done.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Usher said the introduction of a security screen, as used by London cabs, would not be suitable in Ireland as passenger seats are used for customers in the majority of Irish taxis.
The introduction of more CCTV systems in cabs could, however, help improve safety conditions for drivers and act as a deterrent for would-be attackers, according to Usher.
The three men arrested (28, 19 and 21) remain in Garda custody in Lucan and Ronanstown Garda Stations this evening, a spokesperson for the force confirmed.
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