Passenger dragged for 250 metres

A taxi driver who dragged a passenger along a road with his car for 250 metres following a disagreement about a fare has been spared a jail sentence and a road ban.

Martin Rehill, 63, with an address at Daroge, Seven Oaks, Rathmines, Dublin 6 was fined €500 and had his licence endorsed after he was convicted of careless driving following the incident involving 24-year-old computer science student David Donovan at Rathgar Road, in Dublin on May 31.

He was cleared of hit-and-run charges: failing to stop following the occurrence of an injury and not keeping his vehicle stationary.

Judge Hugh O’Donnell said the passenger Mr Donovan should have had more sense and was either incredibly drunk or stupid by hanging on to Rehill’s car.

Martin Rehill: Fined €500 and had his licence endorsed.

David Donovan told the court he got the taxi to take him home to Dundrum at about 2.30am.

The court heard the student’s legs had “road rash” and cuts to his knees and legs which had to be dressed.

Garda Aron Lawlor told the court he went to Rehill’s address and noticed he had washed one side of his car on the outside as well as inside.

David Donovan: Said he was dragged along road. Pictures: Courtpix

Rehill, who has no prior criminal convictions, said when he got to Rathmines Garda station he decided he did not want to prolong his contact with Mr Donovan. He claimed Donovan had been trying to get into his car as he drove away and was the “author of his own misfortune”. “He caused the injury to himself by refusing to let go,” Rehill said. “I was fleeing the scene, I had been threatened, I felt I was in danger,” he told the court.

The court heard several years ago the taxi-driver had been the victim of a serious assault and he had been affected by that. He admitted he had cleaned the car, not to remove evidence but as he thought the passenger Donovan had been “bad luck”.