Letterkenny taxi driver sounds alarm over safety

A LETTERKENNY taxi driver has spoken of how he has been left with a scar above his left eye and had his vehicle attacked with a billhook in separate incidents while working the night shift.

The man told the Donegal News that many local taxi vehicles are now fitted with inward and outward facing cameras for drivers’ protection following a number of violent episodes.

The taxi driver’s comments come in the wake of a report published this week highlighting concerns of safety raised by taxi drivers.

‘Supporting the Long-Term Growth of the Taxi Industry in Ireland’, reveals critical challenges facing the sector. It identifies safety as one of the most pressing concerns for Ireland’s taxi drivers. While the National Transport Authority (NTA) reports strong growth in driver numbers, many drivers are avoiding late-night shifts due to escalating safety concerns.

A survey of Freenow taxi drivers in Ireland revealed that 31 per cent feel unsafe while working, with a third of drivers reporting they feel less safe than a year ago. In fact, 64 per cent have ended shifts early because of safety fears, reducing late-night taxi availability when demand is highest. This shortage impacts Ireland’s night-time economy, where reliable transport is essential for the hospitality and entertainment sectors to thrive.

The Letterkenny taxi driver said concerns expressed in the findings of the report are reflected locally.

“A lot of drivers don’t feel safe, and a big reason for this is because of drink and drugs.

You could be sitting beside someone talking to them and just like the flick of a switch, their complete persona changes.

“I left four people off in a certain area in Letterkenny. They committed criminal damage and the guys they committed the criminal damage against came after my taxi and smashed it up with a billhook. That’s what we have to put up with.

“I have a scar above my left eye from when three guys attacked me last year because they didn’t want to pay the fare.”

The man revealed taxi drivers locally ‘profile’ potential customers.

“We profile people as they go down the street and if we think a person is going to be aggressive we will drive past and give them time to sober up.

“We’re out to try to do a job without being impeded in any way, or attacked.”

The driver told of how he has been left out of pocket following damage caused to his vehicle.

“I had my windows smashed and a big hole put in my car boot not so long ago. My insurance company has penalised me because they will no longer cover the insurance on my glass windows. I had a chipped front window prior that, and when my back window was smashed they deemed it was too many claims in the one year.”

He said there has been a significant decline in the number of taxi drivers working in Letterkenny at night time, despite incentives from the National Transport Authority (NTA).

“During Covid many taxi drivers moved onto courier work, and a lot of them went from night shift to day shift and you won’t see them back again.

“A lot of drivers do feel unsafe. It is now virtually impossible to get drivers to work at night. The NTA put up the fares to try to encourage drivers to come out but it is not working. Taxi drivers are often treated like dirt because people are frustrated that they can’t get a taxi and they take it out on us.”

The taxi driver stressed that “99 per cent of people are perfectly fine”.

“It’s that one per cent that you have to look out for. It is a very small percentage but if you get one of those people in your car at night, that is your night destroyed. Taxi drivers are in a very vulnerable position, particularly if the customer is sitting behind them. You have to be on your guard.”

He told of how his non-national colleagues get a lot of verbal abuse.

“It’s not right. They’re out doing an honest day’s work.”

Freenow have a number of key safety recommendations including the establishment of a dedicated Garda helpline for taxi drivers to report incidents and receive rapid assistance.

Danny O’Gorman, general manager at Freenow Ireland, said taxis are “a cornerstone of Ireland’s public transport network” but admitted the industry is under pressure.

“Driver safety concerns, supply bottlenecks at peak times, and a lack of late-night transport options are all affecting both drivers and passengers.

“Everyone should feel safe at work and taxi drivers are no exception. Increasing reports of verbal abuse and antisocial behaviour highlight the urgent need for a dedicated Garda helpline for taxi drivers to report incidents and receive help quickly.

“Without decisive action on safety and supply, these challenges risk undermining the sector’s ability to meet demand.”