Taxi driver not guilty of threatening to kill inspector

A Limerick taxi driver was yesterday found not guilty of threatening to kill a National Transport Authority inspector after his vehicle failed a meter verification test.

Christopher Carroll, aged 58, of 30 The Crescent, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, pleaded not guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Patrick Doyle on April 8, 2013.

Mr Carroll, in a statement to gardaí and in a letter of apology, admitted losing his temper and said he did not intend to harm Mr Doyle.

In his statement, he said he apologised for what he said and could not recall making the threats alleged.

Mr Doyle said in evidence that he worked with SGS Ireland Ltd at East Link Business Park, Ballysimon Rd, where the company carried out metering and other tests on taxis on behalf of the National Transport Authority.

As part of a meter verification test, Mr Carroll’s Avensis was found to have front tyres with different sizes. On telling the accused his taxi had failed the test, he said Mr Carroll became very agitated and came close to his face, saying he would bite his “fucking nose off”.

Mr Doyle asked the accused to leave and he said the accused replied: “I’ll be back wearing a balaclava and put a bullet in your fucking head.”

The jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty.