Search on for men who assaulted taxi driver

Gardaí are hunting for two men who subjected a taxi driver to a violent assault and robbery on the northside of Cork City early yesterday.

The driver, 50, suffered a fractured eye socket in the savage attack, before his cash and car were robbed.

He was treated in hospital and discharged yesterday but taxi colleagues say they fear he may never work in the business again.

The taxi driver picked up two men in their 20s on St Patrick’s St around 4.45am yesterday and drove them to the Ballyvolane area. But when he got there, he was assaulted and had his money and car stolen. The car was later found abandoned in the Dublin Hill area.

A friend of the victim described him as a very quiet man who works the early morning shift before going home. “Hopefully he’ll make a recovery but this attack could finish this chap,” the man said.

“People who do this to taxi drivers should be put away for a long time — not just get a slap on the wrist. They are destroying the livelihoods and families of taxi drivers. And it sends out fear to other taxi drivers.”

Gardaí in Mayfield are investigating the attack and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them on 021 4558510.

Meanwhile, gardaí in Waterford have appealed for witnesses to a serious assault in the Ballybeg area of the city last Monday.

A 29-year-old man sustained serious head injuries during an incident outside a house on Priory Lawn at around 10.40pm.

He was taken by ambulance to Waterford Regional Hospital and later transferred to Cork University Hospital where he is still receiving treatment.

A technical examination of the scene was carried out. No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing.

Gardaí appealed for anyone with information about the incident to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300.