Irish Taxi Forum
Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: watty on October 10, 2021, 06:50:05 pm
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Manhunt underway for man who allegedly robbed Cork taxi driver at knifepoint (https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-40714532.html)
A manhunt is underway in Cork after a man robbed a taxi driver at knifepoint at 10am this morning [Wednesday]. A male passenger put a knife to the taxi driver’s throat and stole money from him during the incident near Ballyvolane Fire Station. The taxi driver, who is in his 60s, is said to be extremely shaken by the armed theft but is not physically injured.
In a statement, Gardaí confirmed that the force is looking into the violent incident. "Gardaí at Watercourse Road are investigating a theft that occurred at Spring Lane in Blackpool. "At approximately 10am, a man, aged in his 60s, was threatened with a knife by a male passenger who was in his vehicle at the time. "The man demanded money from the driver and later left the vehicle with a sum of cash. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made," it said.
The assailant was described as in his 30s, of low height, and according to reports, was wearing a dirty white jacket.
The community is "on red alert" after the armed robbery, local Labour Councillor John Maher told the Irish Examiner. “This has put everyone on red alert. “If someone can do this to a taxi driver they could do it to someone on the street in the community too.” He appealed to anyone with any information about the incident to contact gardaí. “Any little thing could help gardaí piece this together. Get onto the gardaí if you saw anything,” he said. An assailant could escape in up to four directions from the area where the incident took place, he added. “There are a number of directions you could go to get away. Some of that area is a no-man's land."
Today’s violent attack is the second incident in recent weeks where a taxi driver was held by the neck and robbed. A similar incident occurred on the Carrigrohane Straight near the Lee Fields when a passenger grabbed a taxi driver by the neck and demanded cash at about 11pm on the night in question. A passing garda car intercepted the incident and the assailant was arrested and charged.
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Why is this starting up again?
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Why is this starting up again?
I'd hazard a guess at crack cocaine. These halfwits still believe we carry wads of cash.
I had to venture out during the day yesterday. The amount of raddled female crackheads around Nth King Street was depressing.
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Immigrant?
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One thing that was not mentioned in the newspaper report it that both Spring land and the Carrigrohane straight, is that both are home to traveller halting sites.
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I’m MIGRANT!
CORRECTED YOUR POST 4 U
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I've heard it said that burglaries can drop dramatically if only one guy gets sent to prison. Maybe this guy just got out of jail for previous knife crimes and is at it again?
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Another taxi driver robbed at knifepoint at 7pm yesterday.
They reckon it’s the same scumbag that’s doing it
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Screen?
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Screen?
Don’t think so
75 years old the driver
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Hopefully he's forgotten the ordeal already.
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Hopefully he's forgotten the ordeal already.
Ahhh now
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heel get one now
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One thing that was not mentioned in the newspaper report it that both Spring land and the Carrigrohane straight, is that both are home to traveller halting sites.
So travellers attacking elderly, vulnerable members of the settled community. Is there anything sacred that these mongs consider off-limits?
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Another taxi driver robbed at knifepoint at 7pm yesterday.
They reckon it’s the same scumbag that’s doing it
What location ?
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By tax office Blackpool
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By tax office Blackpool
So around the corner from the big Spring lane halting site !
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By tax office Blackpool
So around the corner from the big Spring lane halting site !
I love the way Google describes said area as an RV PARK. Good luck with your Winnebago there!
https://earth.google.com/web/search/spring+lane+halting+site/@51.91605252,-8.46005713,54.44967327a,251.9544116d,35y,-36.46609387h,44.99764857t,0r/data=CigiJgokCUfhI7Lw0UtAEcSRlI4jOElAGe4_QtcHKf4_IYNtk6PrijLA
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Fair play to the Gardai!
Man arrested after taxi driver threatened with knife during attempted robbery (https://www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-news/man-arrested-after-taxi-driver-21879619)
Gardai have arrested a man after a number of taxi drivers were robbed at knifepoint in the city.
Last week a driver had a blade held to his throat in Blackpool before the perpetrator fled without taking anything.
It was one of a number of incidents that happened over the space of eight days.
Detectives had been hot on the case and now a man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with one on Assumption Road on October 13th.
He's currently being detained in Mayfield.
A garda spokesman said: "Gardaí attended an attempted robbery that occurred in a vehicle on Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork City at approximately 6:50pm on the 13th of October 2021.
"Nothing has been reported as taken to Gardaí following this incident. No injuries were reported.
"This morning, 16th October 2021, a man aged in his 30s was arrested in connection with this incident. He is currently being detained at Mayfield Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
"Investigations ongoing."
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Is Mayfield still a no go area?……Ask Roy Keane?
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Is Mayfield still a no go area?……Ask Roy Keane?
Yea ! It is !!
Very few Taxi drivers will travel to the northside of Cork after closing time on weekend nights.
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A feen was arrested over the weekend
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Migrant?
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Migrant?
Unsettled?
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The accused is formerly of 'Mangerton Close, The Glen, Cork' and a junkie with €100/day habit.
Cork man accused of holding knife to taxi driver in attempted robbery (https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtandcrime/arid-40724079.html)
A Cork man allegedly held a knife to a taxi driver in an attempted robbery and now bail has been refused as evidence emerged of the accused man’s €100-a-day heroin addiction. William Cambridge, 32, is charged with attempted robbery of the driver on Wednesday, October 13. Garda Keith Shire said William Cambridge was arrested at 11.30am on Saturday October 16 at Mayfield Garda Station and before 2pm he was charged with attempted robbery. Cautioned about making a reply, Cambridge made no reply to the charge.
Garda objection to bail
Garda Shire said gardaí were objecting to bail being granted to the accused. “This matter relates to an attempted robbery of a taxi driver at knifepoint. He allegedly threatened the driver with a knife. There is very strong evidence. The accused was captured on CCTV. “The driver picked up a fare at Sun Cabs in Mayfield, where there is very high quality CCTV. He was wearing very distinctive clothing. “Later at Assumption Road a male was seen on CCTV running from the direction of the taxi – a short distance away – and discarding a jacket worn during the incident. “We are highly concerned about his very unstructured lifestyle at the moment. He admits a very heavy heroin addiction at the moment. He began taking it eight months earlier and is using €100 worth per day. He would have difficulty remembering events and having control of his actions. “He is not currently employed. He has no means of funding this habit. Gardaí believe he would commit crime to fund this habit,” Garda Shire said. Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the Director of Public Prosecutions would have to give directions in the case and that would take months, and that if Cambridge failed to get bail he would end up in jail throughout that period.
Drug rehabilitation programme
Cambridge who is formerly of Mangerton Close, The Glen, Cork, said he had been waiting to get on to a drug rehabilitation programme and was finally about to start on one on Tuesday. The defendant’s mother said her son needed help to address his drug problem. Cambridge said under cross-examination, “I am three days clean. My last smoke was eight o’clock on Friday night.” Mr Buttimer said it was clearly a case for a remand on bail with conditions. Sgt Lyons said it was a case for a remand in custody. Judge Olann Kelleher said, “This is a very serious charge. On top of that, he has an addiction which he accepts.” The judge remanded him in custody for a week and said the man needed treatment in prison.
Looks like he getting his 'I don't remember anything but I'm sorry anyway. It was the drugs that made me do it' excuse >:(
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Sure it's an illness....that many of us have the cure for!!
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No mention of his football abilities......yet.. ::fuck
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No mention of his football abilities......yet.. ::fuck
Ah....his best years were behind him so his brief didn't want to bring it up!!
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The name William Cambridge rings a bell, I'm guessing this is not his first rodeo.
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The name William Cambridge (32) rings a bell, I'm guessing this is not his first rodeo.
That's the other Cambridge (42) wan that your thinking of, possibly/proberly related ? oops
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Is he about to become a father? Has a great chance of employment?
loves his bleedin mother?
10 hours community service.Sure hes a good kid.
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Is he about to become a father? Has a great chance of employment?
loves his bleedin mother?
10 hours community service.Sure hes a good kid.
Good to see you again Phsychidelic,
I hope all is well ?
::cheers
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Yeah! Im amazed you did only 43 posts….
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https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-punched-taxi-driver-in-row-over-fare-1.4729309 (https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-punched-taxi-driver-in-row-over-fare-1.4729309)
A professional mixed martial arts fighter who repeatedly punched a taxi driver in a row over a fare will be discharged from the indictment if he meets the judge’s conditions, a court has heard.
Dylan Tuke (25) called the taxi driver a “sap” and a “fool” and told him “you’re not in your country now” before he punched him in the head and face, breaking the man’s front teeth.
The assault occurred in the early hours of December 16th, 2018, after Tuke hurriedly jumped into the taxi without asking if he was available and told him to go to the city centre, Garda Elaine Duffy told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The taxi driver was uneasy by Tuke’s behaviour and asked him to pay the fare upfront, which led to the argument. After Tuke assaulted the driver and got out of the cab, he briefly returned to the car, causing the driver to run into a nearby fast food restaurant. Tuke then left the scene in another cab.
Another taxi driver who witnessed the assault said it was “horrific” and that Tuke was “like a man possessed”, the court heard.
After dash cam images of Tuke were circulated among gardaí, he was identified by a garda who “recognised him from the media”, the court heard.
Tuke, with a former address at Edenmore Ave, Raheny, and who now resides in Bathgate, Scotland, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to the driver at Main Street, Swords. He has no previous convictions.
At a sentencing hearing on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd said the most significant aggravating factor was the threatening demeanour of Tuke and the threats he issued to the taxi driver.
Pursued victim
Judge Codd said the offence was also aggravated by him pursuing the victim on foot and the victim being a taxi driver who was conducting a public service.
She said the court must take into consideration his co-operation, his age at the time, his remorse and the garda evidence that the offence was out of character. She noted that while drinking alcohol was not a mitigating factor, it contributed to his acting out of character on the night concerned.
The judge said Tuke comes from a very difficult background and has had a very difficult upbringing.
She noted he has not come to adverse attention since the offence and that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had originally consented for summary disposal of the matter in the District Court.
Judge Codd said the appropriate sentence was 18 months imprisonment, but said she would defer the sentence until April 4th, next, and impose a €200 fine.
She said that if Tuke does not come to adverse attention during the adjournment, she will deal with the matter under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. This section allows the court to discharge an accused person from the indictment.
Judge Codd also ordered that the €3,000 which Tuke had in court was to be handed over to the victim or to a charity of their choice.
At previous sentencing hearing, Tuke had addressed the court directly, telling Judge Codd there was no excuse for his behaviour that night.
‘Ashamed’
“My grandad was a taxi man and I’m so ashamed I did that,” he said. “Violence is never the answer.”
In a victim impact statement handed up to court, the victim said he now feels defenceless while driving his taxi and he no longer enjoys his work. He said his two front teeth were broken in the assault and he still suffers from headaches and has a facial scar.
Garda Duffy told defence barrister, Aidan McCarthy BL, that she believed Tuke was acting out of character that night, after he had a few drinks. She said he was extremely remorseful when interviewed by gardaí and he cried while watching the dash cam footage of the incident.
Mr McCarthy said Tuke became a professional mixed martial arts fighter at the age of 19 and has travelled abroad to partake in the sport.
He is not currently competing as he is helping to bring up his two younger siblings. The court heard his parents are both drug addicts and Tuke’s childhood was marred by violence and addiction. He was mostly raised by his grandmother, who was in court to support him.
Mr McCarthy said it was to Tuke’s credit that he has never been in trouble with the gardaí before, despite his difficult upbringing. He said that on the night in question, Tuke got drunk at a Christmas night out with his club, which was unlike him given his profession.
Counsel urged Judge Codd to consider imposing a sentence on Tuke that will avoid giving him a criminal conviction.
A conviction “could stop him in his tracks in terms of his chosen career”, he said. It could prevent him travelling to competitions abroad, which are the main source of his income.
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Billy Whizz....
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What about stopping the driver in his tracks in his chosen career? The man might never go out in his cab again. Fcuk the scrote. Convict the cnut. He won't do it again then. Might also send a strong message to other would be scumbags, for a change.
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https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-punched-taxi-driver-in-row-over-fare-1.4729309 (https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-punched-taxi-driver-in-row-over-fare-1.4729309)
A professional mixed martial arts fighter who repeatedly punched a taxi driver in a row over a fare will be discharged from the indictment if he meets the judge’s conditions, a court has heard.
Dylan Tuke (25) called the taxi driver a “sap” and a “fool” and told him “you’re not in your country now” before he punched him in the head and face, breaking the man’s front teeth.
The assault occurred in the early hours of December 16th, 2018, after Tuke hurriedly jumped into the taxi without asking if he was available and told him to go to the city centre, Garda Elaine Duffy told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The taxi driver was uneasy by Tuke’s behaviour and asked him to pay the fare upfront, which led to the argument. After Tuke assaulted the driver and got out of the cab, he briefly returned to the car, causing the driver to run into a nearby fast food restaurant. Tuke then left the scene in another cab.
Another taxi driver who witnessed the assault said it was “horrific” and that Tuke was “like a man possessed”, the court heard.
After dash cam images of Tuke were circulated among gardaí, he was identified by a garda who “recognised him from the media”, the court heard.
Tuke, with a former address at Edenmore Ave, Raheny, and who now resides in Bathgate, Scotland, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to the driver at Main Street, Swords. He has no previous convictions.
At a sentencing hearing on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd said the most significant aggravating factor was the threatening demeanour of Tuke and the threats he issued to the taxi driver.
Pursued victim
Judge Codd said the offence was also aggravated by him pursuing the victim on foot and the victim being a taxi driver who was conducting a public service.
She said the court must take into consideration his co-operation, his age at the time, his remorse and the garda evidence that the offence was out of character. She noted that while drinking alcohol was not a mitigating factor, it contributed to his acting out of character on the night concerned.
The judge said Tuke comes from a very difficult background and has had a very difficult upbringing.
She noted he has not come to adverse attention since the offence and that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had originally consented for summary disposal of the matter in the District Court.
Judge Codd said the appropriate sentence was 18 months imprisonment, but said she would defer the sentence until April 4th, next, and impose a €200 fine.
She said that if Tuke does not come to adverse attention during the adjournment, she will deal with the matter under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. This section allows the court to discharge an accused person from the indictment.
Judge Codd also ordered that the €3,000 which Tuke had in court was to be handed over to the victim or to a charity of their choice.
At previous sentencing hearing, Tuke had addressed the court directly, telling Judge Codd there was no excuse for his behaviour that night.
‘Ashamed’
“My grandad was a taxi man and I’m so ashamed I did that,” he said. “Violence is never the answer.”
In a victim impact statement handed up to court, the victim said he now feels defenceless while driving his taxi and he no longer enjoys his work. He said his two front teeth were broken in the assault and he still suffers from headaches and has a facial scar.
Garda Duffy told defence barrister, Aidan McCarthy BL, that she believed Tuke was acting out of character that night, after he had a few drinks. She said he was extremely remorseful when interviewed by gardaí and he cried while watching the dash cam footage of the incident.
Mr McCarthy said Tuke became a professional mixed martial arts fighter at the age of 19 and has travelled abroad to partake in the sport.
He is not currently competing as he is helping to bring up his two younger siblings. The court heard his parents are both drug addicts and Tuke’s childhood was marred by violence and addiction. He was mostly raised by his grandmother, who was in court to support him.
Mr McCarthy said it was to Tuke’s credit that he has never been in trouble with the gardaí before, despite his difficult upbringing. He said that on the night in question, Tuke got drunk at a Christmas night out with his club, which was unlike him given his profession.
Counsel urged Judge Codd to consider imposing a sentence on Tuke that will avoid giving him a criminal conviction.
A conviction “could stop him in his tracks in terms of his chosen career”, he said. It could prevent him travelling to competitions abroad, which are the main source of his income.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Xrw2B4Q5/Dd-Ojikh-WAAEexq-J.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Xrw2B4Q5)
(https://i.postimg.cc/TyftrF44/download-7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TyftrF44)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gwsN449k/download-8.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gwsN449k)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hzGMYxg8/images-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hzGMYxg8)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hz3MRjPk/images-2.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hz3MRjPk)
I wouldn't mind being the scobie's Dentist, there's this yacht I'm looking at... rofl
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The cnut should be banged up for walking around with a mush like that alone.
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The cnut should be banged up for walking around with a mush like that alone.
When he's at a club dancing he's known as a Thin-Gummy-Jig!! rofl
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rofl rofl rofl
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In the witness box, he promised to tell the tooth, the whole tooth, and nothing but the tooth! 8)
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rofl rofl
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MMA is how he pronounces Mother! 8)
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The Tuke of Hazard!!
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The Tuke of Hazard!!
Fucking poster boy for the Jeremy Kyle show.
His Ma went to the Dentist and said "I want me teeth out" The Dentist said "Do you not think they're out far enough?"
(https://i.postimg.cc/XrrB3X9H/5708cbc71e00008700706974.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XrrB3X9H) rofl
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The Tuke of Hazard!!
Fucking poster boy for the Jeremy Kyle show.
His Ma went to the Dentist and said "I want me teeth out" The Dentist said "Do you not think they're out far enough?"
(https://i.postimg.cc/XrrB3X9H/5708cbc71e00008700706974.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XrrB3X9H) rofl
Don't tell me someone cheated on her!! lol
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https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-punched-taxi-driver-in-row-over-fare-1.4729309 (https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-punched-taxi-driver-in-row-over-fare-1.4729309)
A professional mixed martial arts fighter who repeatedly punched a taxi driver in a row over a fare will be discharged from the indictment if he meets the judge’s conditions, a court has heard.
Dylan Tuke (25) called the taxi driver a “sap” and a “fool” and told him “you’re not in your country now” before he punched him in the head and face, breaking the man’s front teeth.
The assault occurred in the early hours of December 16th, 2018, after Tuke hurriedly jumped into the taxi without asking if he was available and told him to go to the city centre, Garda Elaine Duffy told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The taxi driver was uneasy by Tuke’s behaviour and asked him to pay the fare upfront, which led to the argument. After Tuke assaulted the driver and got out of the cab, he briefly returned to the car, causing the driver to run into a nearby fast food restaurant. Tuke then left the scene in another cab.
Another taxi driver who witnessed the assault said it was “horrific” and that Tuke was “like a man possessed”, the court heard.
After dash cam images of Tuke were circulated among gardaí, he was identified by a garda who “recognised him from the media”, the court heard.
Tuke, with a former address at Edenmore Ave, Raheny, and who now resides in Bathgate, Scotland, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to the driver at Main Street, Swords. He has no previous convictions.
At a sentencing hearing on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd said the most significant aggravating factor was the threatening demeanour of Tuke and the threats he issued to the taxi driver.
Pursued victim
Judge Codd said the offence was also aggravated by him pursuing the victim on foot and the victim being a taxi driver who was conducting a public service.
She said the court must take into consideration his co-operation, his age at the time, his remorse and the garda evidence that the offence was out of character. She noted that while drinking alcohol was not a mitigating factor, it contributed to his acting out of character on the night concerned.
The judge said Tuke comes from a very difficult background and has had a very difficult upbringing.
She noted he has not come to adverse attention since the offence and that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had originally consented for summary disposal of the matter in the District Court.
Judge Codd said the appropriate sentence was 18 months imprisonment, but said she would defer the sentence until April 4th, next, and impose a €200 fine.
She said that if Tuke does not come to adverse attention during the adjournment, she will deal with the matter under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. This section allows the court to discharge an accused person from the indictment.
Judge Codd also ordered that the €3,000 which Tuke had in court was to be handed over to the victim or to a charity of their choice.
At previous sentencing hearing, Tuke had addressed the court directly, telling Judge Codd there was no excuse for his behaviour that night.
‘Ashamed’
“My grandad was a taxi man and I’m so ashamed I did that,” he said. “Violence is never the answer.”
In a victim impact statement handed up to court, the victim said he now feels defenceless while driving his taxi and he no longer enjoys his work. He said his two front teeth were broken in the assault and he still suffers from headaches and has a facial scar.
Garda Duffy told defence barrister, Aidan McCarthy BL, that she believed Tuke was acting out of character that night, after he had a few drinks. She said he was extremely remorseful when interviewed by gardaí and he cried while watching the dash cam footage of the incident.
Mr McCarthy said Tuke became a professional mixed martial arts fighter at the age of 19 and has travelled abroad to partake in the sport.
He is not currently competing as he is helping to bring up his two younger siblings. The court heard his parents are both drug addicts and Tuke’s childhood was marred by violence and addiction. He was mostly raised by his grandmother, who was in court to support him.
Mr McCarthy said it was to Tuke’s credit that he has never been in trouble with the gardaí before, despite his difficult upbringing. He said that on the night in question, Tuke got drunk at a Christmas night out with his club, which was unlike him given his profession.
Counsel urged Judge Codd to consider imposing a sentence on Tuke that will avoid giving him a criminal conviction.
A conviction “could stop him in his tracks in terms of his chosen career”, he said. It could prevent him travelling to competitions abroad, which are the main source of his income.
Migrant?
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https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-punched-taxi-driver-in-row-over-fare-1.4729309 (https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/courts/circuit-court/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-punched-taxi-driver-in-row-over-fare-1.4729309)
A professional mixed martial arts fighter who repeatedly punched a taxi driver in a row over a fare will be discharged from the indictment if he meets the judge’s conditions, a court has heard.
Dylan Tuke (25) called the taxi driver a “sap” and a “fool” and told him “you’re not in your country now” before he punched him in the head and face, breaking the man’s front teeth.
The assault occurred in the early hours of December 16th, 2018, after Tuke hurriedly jumped into the taxi without asking if he was available and told him to go to the city centre, Garda Elaine Duffy told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The taxi driver was uneasy by Tuke’s behaviour and asked him to pay the fare upfront, which led to the argument. After Tuke assaulted the driver and got out of the cab, he briefly returned to the car, causing the driver to run into a nearby fast food restaurant. Tuke then left the scene in another cab.
Another taxi driver who witnessed the assault said it was “horrific” and that Tuke was “like a man possessed”, the court heard.
After dash cam images of Tuke were circulated among gardaí, he was identified by a garda who “recognised him from the media”, the court heard.
Tuke, with a former address at Edenmore Ave, Raheny, and who now resides in Bathgate, Scotland, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to the driver at Main Street, Swords. He has no previous convictions.
At a sentencing hearing on Monday, Judge Pauline Codd said the most significant aggravating factor was the threatening demeanour of Tuke and the threats he issued to the taxi driver.
Pursued victim
Judge Codd said the offence was also aggravated by him pursuing the victim on foot and the victim being a taxi driver who was conducting a public service.
She said the court must take into consideration his co-operation, his age at the time, his remorse and the garda evidence that the offence was out of character. She noted that while drinking alcohol was not a mitigating factor, it contributed to his acting out of character on the night concerned.
The judge said Tuke comes from a very difficult background and has had a very difficult upbringing.
She noted he has not come to adverse attention since the offence and that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had originally consented for summary disposal of the matter in the District Court.
Judge Codd said the appropriate sentence was 18 months imprisonment, but said she would defer the sentence until April 4th, next, and impose a €200 fine.
She said that if Tuke does not come to adverse attention during the adjournment, she will deal with the matter under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. This section allows the court to discharge an accused person from the indictment.
Judge Codd also ordered that the €3,000 which Tuke had in court was to be handed over to the victim or to a charity of their choice.
At previous sentencing hearing, Tuke had addressed the court directly, telling Judge Codd there was no excuse for his behaviour that night.
‘Ashamed’
“My grandad was a taxi man and I’m so ashamed I did that,” he said. “Violence is never the answer.”
In a victim impact statement handed up to court, the victim said he now feels defenceless while driving his taxi and he no longer enjoys his work. He said his two front teeth were broken in the assault and he still suffers from headaches and has a facial scar.
Garda Duffy told defence barrister, Aidan McCarthy BL, that she believed Tuke was acting out of character that night, after he had a few drinks. She said he was extremely remorseful when interviewed by gardaí and he cried while watching the dash cam footage of the incident.
Mr McCarthy said Tuke became a professional mixed martial arts fighter at the age of 19 and has travelled abroad to partake in the sport.
He is not currently competing as he is helping to bring up his two younger siblings. The court heard his parents are both drug addicts and Tuke’s childhood was marred by violence and addiction. He was mostly raised by his grandmother, who was in court to support him.
Mr McCarthy said it was to Tuke’s credit that he has never been in trouble with the gardaí before, despite his difficult upbringing. He said that on the night in question, Tuke got drunk at a Christmas night out with his club, which was unlike him given his profession.
Counsel urged Judge Codd to consider imposing a sentence on Tuke that will avoid giving him a criminal conviction.
A conviction “could stop him in his tracks in terms of his chosen career”, he said. It could prevent him travelling to competitions abroad, which are the main source of his income.
Migrant?
Tuke
An acronym for The Ugliest Kid Ever coined in Arlington, Ma and used quite frequently.
TUKE:
T- The
U-Ugliest
K- Kid
E- ever. 8)