Taxi driver viciously attacked with knife and hammer in robbery

A TAXI driver subjected to a vicious knife and hammer attack by passengers who robbed him and stole his car remains in hospital.

Michael O’Donnell, aged 64, had a narrow escape after being attacked by three men, one of whom inflicted a stab wound within a quarter of an inch of his jugular vein.

The assault took place in his cab in Barntown, on the outskirts of Wexford town at around 11.30pm on Wednesday. His car was recovered yesterday morning and is undergoing full technical examination.

Mr O’Donnell, a married man with a grown family, was answering a call when he picked up the three men, all believed to be in their early 20s, in the Wexford town area.

The men got into his cab and demanded that he hand over money. Mr O’Donnell handed over a bag containing e100. He had a further €600 on him, but did not hand this over.

The attack then turned vicious as one man clubbed him over the back of the head with a hammer and a second man used a knife to stab him in the neck.

Mr O’Donnell was also bludgeoned with the hammer on one of his hands as he tried to defend himself.

The three attackers bundled the injured man out of his green Toyota Camry car about a mile and a half from Wexford town. He staggered to a nearby house and raised the alarm.

The man was rushed to Wexford General Hospital where doctors said he was lucky to be alive. He underwent surgery yesterday and his injuries, while serious, are not life threatening.

While the car was recovered, the men are still at large with the stolen cash and a mobile phone.

Wexford gardaí have appealed to anyone who saw his vehicle any time from 11.25pm until now to come forward.