Claims of racist abuse, spitting, and false imprisonment made against Cork taxi drivers this year

One taxi driver found himself hit with a fixed payment notice after refusing to accept a fare in a complaint issued on February 20. Picture: iStock

A woman who allegedly had a mobility aid thrown at her and a man claiming he was spat at were among the complaints relating to taxi drivers in Cork this year.

A total of 62 incidents were reported to the National Transport Authority (NTA) between January and June, ranging from the bizarre to the downright disturbing.

On March 16, an unhappy customer reported an incident which they claimed escalated after the driver realised he had no change.

“My wife and I stopped a taxi,” the complainant said. “My wife got out, and I gave the taxi driver a €20 note. 

"He rudely told me he had no change and asked me for something smaller or a debit card, I had no money in my account. He then shouted at me, telling me to go to the top of the estate to get change off someone. I said no. 

"He then started to abuse me, calling me all bad racist names and spitting on me. I asked for the gardaí, and he then drove off with me in the car. I called 999 and he continued to abuse me. He would not let me out of the car.” 

The complainant said they were falsely imprisoned in the taxi.

“He drove out of the estate and stopped by another taxi and spoke to that driver. I asked the other driver for help to call the gardaí as I was trapped. He then drove back to my estate and abused me more, then he told me to get out," they added.

I asked for a receipt, and he threw it at my face

"I tried to take a photo of the name on his badge, but he blocked me. Around 11pm, the gardaí called to my house.” 

In a document seen by the Irish Examiner, the NTA said the complainant was instructed as to their “legal rights and responsibilities.

On May 8 , another person complained about her and a friend’s treatment by their taxi driver.

“He overcharged me €31.60, because he said it was €20. He threw the walker at my friend — she could have fallen — when she said it was too much, and he wouldn’t give me time to get out of the car. I had a boot on my leg and he was very rude," the person said.

The NTA said this passenger was instructed with regard to their legal rights and responsibilities.

Under the influence

On March 13,  a passenger reported damage to their laptop.

“As I was closing the door to the vehicle, I dropped my bag containing my laptop in its protective case. I finished closing the door and bent down beside the vehicle to pick it up, but the driver immediately drove off, driving over my laptop and causing irrevocable damage to it.” 

On this occasion, the NTA concluded that no offence had been committed by the driver.

In another incident, a passenger suspected that their driver may have been under the influence.

“They were racially abusive,” the passenger reported on January 24.

“He told me to get out of the taxi and walk, and [he] made me feel unsafe. He got out of the taxi after I left, and tried to initiate a fight. He got in my face and shouted at me. He started recording without my consent.

They were very red-eyed, like they were on drugs. They made me fear for my wellbeing and safety

The NTA noted this complainant was “instructed as to legal rights and responsibilities".

A couple who claimed they were followed by their driver after leaving the cab were also among complaints made.

“This driver followed myself and my husband into the premises where he dropped us off,” the complainant said on February 21.

“He confronted me with threatening behaviour. He left and then returned in an equally threatening manner. He was asked to leave by the bar manager. On advice from gardaí, I am making this formal complaint.” 

In this instance, the NTA said it had insufficient evidence to pursue the complaint.

Meanwhile, a taxi driver was issued with a fixed payment notice after denying children with severe disabilities a lift because of their service dog. The aggrieved party filed the complaint on June 23.

“We are a family with a service dog, as our kids have severe disabilities. Unfortunately, the driver of our taxi cancelled our ride because he refused to allow a dog in the vehicle," the complainant said.

"Our service dog is fully trained and certified. He was wearing a collar and leash as per the regulations. Despite our explanations that he is a service dog, and is permitted on public transportation, the driver displayed rudeness and disregarded our arguments. This incident has left us deeply disappointed and disrespected.” 

Return fee

A return fee for a missing item was the subject of a complaint made by another passenger on May 13.

“The drive was fine, but I left something behind,” they said. 

“The driver agreed to return it to me when he was in work. He never said I can collect it or go to the garda station. From my understanding, it was a gesture of goodwill and he was returning when he was in the area. There was no mention of money or a return fee. 

"He arrived at my door and charged me €25. He said this is the cost of a taxi from the city centre to my location. I have no proof at all he was in the city centre. For all I know, he could have been collecting someone nearby. He said he wasn’t leaving until I paid. I felt pressured and robbed. I understand some things like this may have a charge, but it wasn’t discussed and there was no transparency.” 

The NTA noted that it instructed the complainant as to their legal rights and responsibilities.

May 23, 2025, saw a passenger express concern about distracted driving.

“The driver was watching the news on a smartphone instead of paying attention on the road. As passengers, we felt insecure. watching anything while driving introduces a massive risk. We had no help with loading bags to trunk," they said.

"It was 21.5C, but driver had on winter jacket with all closed windows and no fan.

Please imagine how bad the smell was inside

"On the end of the journey, the driver automatically added a tip without asking," they added.

The NTA said they instructed the complainant as to their legal rights and responsibilities.

One taxi driver found himself hit with a fixed payment notice after refusing to accept a fare in a complaint issued on February 20. 

“I was en route for eye surgery," the complainant said. "The driver refused to take me, saying the route was too short and I could walk there. It was very upsetting for a vulnerable lady already depending on a service.”

An unrelated complaint from May 2 read: “They refused to drop me to Shanakiel/Hollyhill due to a stereotype. I’m not only offended, I am hurt. I am a young woman who was by myself.” 

The NTA was unable to pursue the matter, however, after receiving no response from the complainant.

“Rude and unhelpful” were the words used to describe a taxi driver who was the subject of a complaint made on January 16.

 “It was my daughter’s wedding day, and he collected me and my husband from the house. My husband is in a motorised wheelchair. He has motor neurone disease, and my daughter brought her wedding forward for him to be there. He has not been using the chair for long, which he explained. 

"[The driver] ruined the start of our day, and we were very upset. When we arrived to the hotel, he was extremely unhelpful, rude, and used foul language. He took payment upfront, and he refused to come back for us.” 

The complainant was instructed in terms of their legal rights and responsibilities.