Gardaí suspect local criminals of hijacking taxis

GARDAÍ suspect local criminals were responsible for hijacking two taxis and assaulting their drivers in Westmeath last weekend.

A forensic examination of the two taxis, which were burnt out by the three youths, has been conducted.

“The gang were in their late teens and early twenties. We suspect that they have local connections,” a garda spokesman said.

The hijackings occurred in Castlepollard, a small town situated just inside the north Westmeath border, about 12 miles from Mullingar. It is described as ‘a safe and picturesque environment’ on the town’s community council website, which makes the weekend's events all the more shocking for locals.

“In Castlepollard, we might have young lads fighting on a Friday night but that’s about it. Something like this is highly unusual,” community council chairman John Higgins said.

Larry Kennedy, the owner of Kennedy’s pub, located in Castlepollard’s town square, said locals were relieved the two taxi drivers and a passenger were safe.

“The passenger, Michael Butler, was one of our customers and was returning home from the pub that night. We know the two taxi drivers well. It really brings reality home to everyone because no one expects that in a small country town,” said Mr Kennedy.

The two taxis which were burnt out were both owned by Nolan Taxis, which is run by local man Hugh Nolan. Castlepollard is now left with just two privately-owned taxis.

The National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU) said the attack highlighted the need for greater protection for drivers.

“There have been hundreds of assaults on taxi drivers over the last few years. The numbers of drivers has increased threefold since deregulation in 2000 but the police protection hasn’t,” said president Tommy Gorman.

Only a few of the country’s 15,000 taxi drivers use Global Positioning Systems, which allows the location of their cars to be pinpointed instantly by satellite.

Mr Gorman said the system allowed drivers to press a panic button for help.

“The gardaí are very good when they’re called, but in the Westmeath case the driver was being held hostage and couldn’t alert them. We will be raising the issue of extending the GPS system to all taxis with Transport Minister Séamus Brennan,” he said.

Some taxi drivers have begun to carry illegal cans of mace or pepper spray to protect themselves.

“Obviously some drivers will have this sort of ammunition. There were a lot carrying batons and they were all removed by the gardaí, even though the drivers would plead that they needed them for their own protection. But the GPS system is what we are in favour of,” Mr Gorman said.