Taxi driver ‘snapped’ and ran down a fare dodger

A taxi driver who "snapped" and ran down a passenger who ran away without paying the fare has been given a suspended sentence and disqualified from driving for four years.

David Ryan, 56, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Eoin Daly at Carysfort Park, Blackrock, on April 7, 2011.

Garda Geraldine McManigan told Paul Carroll BL, prosecuting, that Mr Daly suffered fractures to his ankle which have affected his ability to play rugby at senior level in university.

Ryan, formerly of Glenfield Park, Clondalkin Dublin, picked up Mr Daly and another passenger at around 3am. He drove them to the Carysfort Park area, where the two passengers ran from the taxi without paying the fare. The taxi driver drove his car onto a footpath and across the park, swerving from side to side. The car hit Mr Daly and he fell to the ground. Gardaí arrested Ryan two weeks later and he admitted there had been an incident, but denied knocking the victim down and said Mr Daly had fallen down.

Steven Dixon BL, defending, said Ryan snapped on the night and did something dangerous to get his fare. “He is saddened and disgusted with himself. There is no excuse,” said Mr Dixon.

Noting Ryan’s remorse and apology, Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a three-year sentence which she suspended in full.