Man, 71, operated taxis without a licence
On one occasion, the man brought officers to Kerry Airport after they had investigated him, without his knowledge, in Kenmare.
The NTA officers said they were acting on a complaint “from within the industry”, a district court heard.
Peter O’Sullivan felt he was too old to get a taxi licence, Kenmare District Court was told yesterday.
The tourist town had only one licensed taxi and five to six hackneys but only Saturday nights are busy, local gardaí acknowledged.
O’Sullivan, of Dromneavane, Kenmare, was described as “affable” and co-operative by NTA compliance officer Liam Kavanagh — to which Judge James O’Connor replied: “He is always that”
He had previously been given the benefit of the Probation Act for a similar offence, the judge recalled.
Outlining the first count, NTA officer Mr Kavanagh said he was directed to go to Kenmare and investigate a complaint, from within the industry, of a man operating a taxi service without a public service licence.
On April 19 last year, he observed O’Sullivan dropping off passengers at Main St, Kenmare.
O’Sullivan agreed a fee of €80 to take officers from the NTA to Farranfore. He returned with an 06 Mercedes, which had a hackney but not a taxi licence. On June 18, NTA compliance officer Jim Hickey observed O’Sullivan operating a mini-bus for hire, again on Main St, Kenmare, and the vehicle was not licensed.
“He said to me he was too old to get a licence,” Mr Hickey said.
However, age was not a prohibition, the court was told. Garda clearance, tax clearance, and an industry knowledge test were the requirements for taxis along with driving licence and insurance.
Mr O’Sullivan’s solicitor, Padraig O’Connell said NTA officers had “effectively carried out a sting operation”.
“I’m going to apply for a licence. I’ll have my tax clearance in a few weeks. I won’t operate in the meantime,” O’Sullivan told Judge O’Connor.
The matter was adjourned to May.
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