Woman who struck taxi driver with bottle escapes jail

A taxi driver was struck over the eye with a glass bottle by a young woman who walked away without paying her fare.

Gillian Daly, 8 Mount Vernon Crescent, South Douglas Road in Cork took a taxi ride in Mahon last Christmas. She appeared to be walking away without paying when she was challenged by taxi driver Sebastian Slapczynski. She responded by striking him.

Garda Inspector Pat Meaney told Cork District Court the injured party suffered a cut over his right eyebrow and the wound had to be attended to in hospital. The taxi driver also received a bite to the arm.

Insp Meaney said the lone passenger initially got into the car at Mahon and asked to be taken to Nemo Rangers club in Douglas on December 27 last. She offered to pay the fare at the outset but the driver said she could pay him later.

On arrival she walked away without paying. He knew she had money as he had seen it in her wallet.

“He tried to stop her walking away without paying by putting his arms in front of her. She struck him with a bottle and also bit him,” the inspector said.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said Ms Daly admitted assault causing harm but claimed she had been going into a house to get money to pay the fare at the end of the journey.

“In her mind, she thinks she is being attacked but any independent assessment would be that he was simply trying to prevent her leaving without paying. She does accept the taxi man was injured,” Mr Buttimer said.

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed a five-month suspended prison sentence on the 25-year-old.