Court orders drivers to leave taxi HQ

THE High Court ordered members of a cab drivers’ organisation to stop occupying the offices of the taxi regulator.

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy granted an injunction preventing trespass of the Commission for Taxi Regulation’s offices by members of the Irish Taxi Council (ITC), including Thomas Barton and Patrick Walsh, who allegedly occupied the building on Monday.

However, following the court order the men ended their sit-in last night.

Ms Justice Laffoy had also ordered no member of the ITC can go within 30 yards of the two entrances of the Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, offices pending further order of the court.

The orders were to remain in force until today after the judge allowed lawyers for the commission to serve notice of the proceedings at short notice on Mr Barton, Mr Walsh and the ITC. The application was made by Sara Moorhead SC for the commission on an ex-parte (one side only) basis and was made returnable to today.

Michael Fullerton, head of enforcement with the commission, said in an affidavit four people, all believed to be members of the ITC, forced their way past security into the inner hallway of the offices while a meeting was taking place on Monday between the commission and the ITC.

One of the four, Thomas Barton, went into a conference room where two female members of staff were working, Mr Fullerton said.

He was removed by a member of staff back to the hallway where, despite repeated requests to leave, the four men would not vacate the building.

Gardaí were called but they said it was a civil matter, Mr Fullerton said. Two of the four men left the building overnight and yesterday gardaí allowed the other two out of the building to use the toilet and get refreshments before allowing them back into the building, Mr Fullerton added.

A picket was also placed outside the building, believed to be by ITC members, with the result that the commission was unable to allow its staff into the building.