Taxi driver fined for punching girl on nose

A taxi driver facing penalty yesterday, on a charge of punching a young woman on the nose in the height of a row about a fare, continued to deny the offence and indicated he would appeal a conviction.

Oba Olatoye Aladunjoye of Belmont Court, Rochestown, Cork, pleaded not guilty at Cork District Court to a charge of assault. Judge Olann Kelleher had heard the contested case previously and said he was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt the teenager was assaulted.

The judge had found the facts proved but, at the time, did not record a conviction. The judge had accepted the accused was under extreme provocation from another man, present that night. He had suggested to solicitor Joseph Cuddigan, previously, the defendant should consider gathering some money as a gesture of compensation.