Irish Taxi Forum
Public Area => Taxi Talk => Topic started by: watty on July 02, 2024, 06:09:20 pm
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Do they have vetting up North or what?
Taxi driver who threatened passenger over drug debt with fake gun while on cocaine jailed (https://www.sundayworld.com/news/northern-ireland-news/taxi-driver-who-threatened-passenger-over-drug-debt-with-fake-gun-while-on-cocaine-jailed/a325404387.html)
A former Fonacab taxi driver who assaulted and threatened a front seat passenger with an imitation firearm whilst he was under the influence of cocaine was jailed for 10 months today. Brian Alexander Stalford — who admitted he was “acting the hardman” — will spend an additional 10 months on licence when is released from custody. The 49-year-old father-of-two, from Park Avenue in east Belfast, pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and was sentenced by Judge Donna McColgan KC.
During today's hearing, it emerged that Stalford issued the threat to the front seat passenger over a drugs debt. His barrister Sean Devine said the "supreme irony" of the incident was that Stalford issued the threat to pay off his own drugs debt, and was under the influence of cocaine at the time.
Belfast Crown Court heard that between March and June 2023, Stalford worked as a taxi driver for Fonacabs in Belfast.
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Noting Stalford has 66 previous convictions, Judge McColgan said this included two prior charges for possessing an offensive weapon. She also noted that Stalford has expressed remorse and regret for his behaviour and has displayed victim empathy regarding the impact his actions will have had on both passengers. Addressing Stalford as he stood in the dock, Judge McColgan imposed the 20-month sentence and told him this was being split equally between prison and licence.
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Most are x political prisoners .Sort of Community workers .Up in belfast you dial a cab not street hail or ranks .That way you only look after your own part of the Khommmmmmmmmmunittity .
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In that case, he'll probably get a slagging for only having a fake gun instead of a real one!
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Just the 66 then... ::fight ::fight ::fight
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Interesting, what the cops can/can't do
https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2024/08/06/refusal-to-renew-bangladeshi-mans-taxi-driver-licence-quashed-over-breach-of-personal-data-rights/ (https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2024/08/06/refusal-to-renew-bangladeshi-mans-taxi-driver-licence-quashed-over-breach-of-personal-data-rights/)
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If I'm reading it right, the judge said it was ok for the Supt to get the info from the GNIB but not the Dept of Justice. But where did the GNIB get their info - surely from the Dept of Justice? Sounds like the Supt was punished for doing his job too well?
Supt McCauley told the appeal hearing said he must assess suitability of a person to drive a taxi and that includes checks on immigration status.
On foot of a note from the Garda National Immigration Bureau that Mr Shuvo’s status, based on marriage to an EU citizen, had been revoked and he had a temporary permission, queries were made to the department.
It confirmed his permission was revoked in January 2022; a review of revocation was pending; he had a temporary stamp four permission until June 2023 and the Minister was satisfied he had provided false and misleading documents in support of his residency.
The judge concluded there was a breach of Mr Shuvo’s personal data rights under the EU charter and “no legal basis” for the exchange of information with the department at the time the access request was made.
The evidence obtained from the Garda National Immigration Bureau was within the remit of the superintendent as it was information held within the body of An Garda Síochána, she said.
What's the point of revoking people's visas etc if the Minister/Dept of Justice can't tell anyone?
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Most are x political prisoners .Sort of Community workers .Up in belfast you dial a cab not street hail or ranks .That way you only look after your own part of the Khommmmmmmmmmunittity .
They're predominantly unlicensed drivers / cars working for a fraction of the "normal" taxi fare. Ulster had rideshare back in the 70s, albeit on an informal basis.
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Most are x political prisoners .Sort of Community workers .Up in belfast you dial a cab not street hail or ranks .That way you only look after your own part of the Khommmmmmmmmmunittity .
They're predominantly unlicensed drivers / cars working for a fraction of the "normal" taxi fare. Ulster had rideshare back in the 70s, albeit on an informal basis.
They're out on licence from the Kesh.