Author Topic: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers  (Read 63822 times)

Offline Dr. Martin Gooter Bling

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Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« on: August 07, 2018, 03:49:41 am »
https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/crackdown-on-illegal-immigrant-taxi-drivers-37191230.html

A total of 27 taxi drivers are under investigation as a result of a multi-agency crackdown involving the immigration bureau.

The operation, codenamed Vantage, followed an analysis of new and existing applicants for public service vehicle (PSV) licences.

It identified a huge increase in the number of applications for licences from non-EU nationals over the past 18 months.

The study showed, in particular, a disproportionate rise in applications from Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals. This led to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) focusing on the validity of their immigration status and examining their past.

The figures showed there had been 70 applications for taxi licences by nationals from those three countries in 2016.

But the number jumped dramatically to 290 in 2017, more than all of the applications made the previous year.

Last January, the Garda carriage office reported that 40 out of 58 new applications were from non-EU nationals.

Following further inquiries by gardaí, it was decided to set up multi-agency checkpoints with GNIB backed up by multi-agency personnel including the Department of Social Protection. Three locations were selected for the checkpoints, at St John's Road, inbound and outbound, and Military Road, all close to Heuston Station, on the night of the Ed Sheeran concert in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.

A senior Garda officer said: "The purpose of the checkpoints was to identify and detect any criminal offences and/or breaches of relevant legislation and immigration controls, being committed by public service vehicle licence holders.

"It was suspected there were a number of people operating as illegal taxi drivers and individuals committing offences contrary to road traffic legislation," the officer added.

During the checkpoints 110 vehicles were inspected and the drivers interviewed. Further inquiries are under way into the immigration status of 27 drivers in the State.

Most of them are being investigated for suspected involvement in marriages of convenience, or sham marriages, to circumvent the immigration laws.

The residency cards of a number of drivers have already been revoked, as a result of alleged links to sham marriages, fraud and breaches of EU treaty rights. Several of those decisions are now under appeal.

Irish Independent


Offline Dr. Martin Gooter Bling

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2018, 03:51:53 am »
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/sham-marriages-many-foreign-taxi-drivers-involved-garda-suspects-1.3588034?mode=amp

As many as one in four foreign national taxi drivers stopped at recent illegal immigration checkpoints are suspected of having entered into sham marriages, gardaí believe.

During an operation in May, established to coincide with an Ed Sheeranconcert in Phoenix Park, Dublin, some 110 drivers were stopped.

Of those, 26 are believed to have paid to marry a woman from Europe they had never met so they could secure the right to reside and work in the Republic, according to gardaí.

All of the men are from outside the EU and gardaí have already revoked the immigration status they had secured when they married European women in the Republic.

The men are now appealing that revocation and are permitted to remain in Ireland until their appeals are completed.

Garda sources said there was concern within the force that such a high percentage of no-EU drivers stopped at three checkpoints during a one-hour operation were suspected of cheating the immigration system.

One man, from India, was about to attend a special citizenship ceremony but that has now been deferred on suspicion his marriage is a sham.

Garda sources said the decision to target taxi drivers specifically so their immigration status could be scrutinised was made after unusual patterns were detected in new public service vehicle (PSV) applications.

“We noticed a big increase in the number of men from outside the EU applying and it wasn’t clear why this was happening,” said one officer.

Gardaí knew they could check a lot of taxis very quickly at the same locations before news of the checkpoint locations spread

Another source said 58 new applications for PSV licences were lodged with the carriage office in January, 40 of which came from men outside the EU. He described this as “way outside the norm”.

The same officer said the increases had been a feature for around 18 months. And when some of the applicants’ immigration histories were checked it emerged they had previously tried to secure status in Europe.

Social welfare

It was then decided to target the Ed Sheeran concert on May 18th at three locations close to the park because gardaí knew they could check a lot of taxis very quickly at the same locations before news of the checkpoint locations spread and drivers began avoiding the area.

The checkpoints were led the Garda National Immigration Bureau and also involved the Garda Carriage Office, Garda National Roads Policing Unit, the National Transport Authority as the taxi regulator, UK Common Travel Liaison Officers and Department of Social Protection.

Some of the drivers were found to be fraudulently claiming social welfare though working. In some cases, on-the-spot fines were issued to other for various breaches of PSV regulations.

However, it was the suspected involvement of a quarter of the drivers in sham marriages that caused gardaí most concern.

Sham marriages are marriages of convenience, normally between a man from outside the EU and a woman from a member state. The so-called brides are usually from Eastern Europe and are paid a fee to marry the men, who secure the right to reside and work in Ireland through their marriage. The Garda’s Operation Vantage has been established with a view to cracking down on the problem.


The Liffey Lip

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2018, 08:52:30 am »
Took them 20 yrs to cop the sham marriage scam or maybe they ignored it.

john m

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2018, 09:08:19 am »
Had this discussion with Kathleen.and the Minister and the answer is .A taxi licence IS NOT a licence to work therefore there is no requirement by law to hold any visa to get a taxi licence .I asked if a taxi licence is not a licence to work then what other purpose does it serve .So I said to the Minister .A blind man who cannot see the television must have a TV licence even though he cannot see the TV as a TV licence gives him the right to operate  a TV  just like a PSV gives the holder the right to operate a Taxi and A taxi by its nature is a Commercial undertaking then a Psv driving is a defacto licence to work and as suck should be Visa Compliant .

The Liffey Lip

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2018, 09:11:53 am »
Your favourite topic has come again, Johnny....taxation of motor vehicles by mileage completed annually. Heard Mr Ross mentioned it yesterday to some yummy-mummy at the Dame St orgy.

john m

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2018, 09:44:00 am »
Your favourite topic has come again, Johnny....taxation of motor vehicles by mileage completed annually. Heard Mr Ross mentioned it yesterday to some yummy-mummy at the Dame St orgy.

We got to save the planet .Big Dommos second eldests first born is in Portugal with Angry Aggie on Holiday .He says it was warmer in Vegas than the Hells oven that is supposed to be in Portugal .

The Liffey Lip

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2018, 10:28:24 am »
Went to see Celtic play Porto in Seville there many moons ago.......place is called the oven by the locals....beer and sangria, jailhouse tats, Burger King babies and Glasgee accents....thought I was back in The Jobstown House.

Offline Deets

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2018, 11:35:19 am »
Whats stunning about this is they stopped 110 taxis and now 27 of that number are under investigation. I mean that is pretty much 25% of taxi drivers they stopped being illegal which indicates that this is a huge problem and one that is stealing the living of those who are doing it by the book.

Offline mercenary for hire

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2018, 12:02:47 pm »
Under investigation doesn't mean they scammed anything until it's proven.All them Uber lads from the Uk had to go somewhere while Uber was suspended.Ireland has one of the cheapest taxi industries to enter in Europe.

At least they passed the new taxi test.That's someting I suppose.

Wait until they figure out they can bring their mates in via gay marriage...

dalymount

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #9 on: August 07, 2018, 04:09:15 pm »
I still don't know how the NTA make out there are loads of taxis  express from the business,there is STILL far to many taxis in Dublin.

Offline watty

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #10 on: August 07, 2018, 05:46:20 pm »
Whats stunning about this is they stopped 110 taxis and now 27 of that number are under investigation. I mean that is pretty much 25% of taxi drivers they stopped being illegal which indicates that this is a huge problem and one that is stealing the living of those who are doing it by the book.
Some of them could have been wearing Ed Sheeran t-shirts.  Any man who is a fan of Ed Sheeran is automatically suspect in my book :)


On a serious note, it is a good point.  If the inspectors are only hanging around the train stations etc, it's pure bad luck if a boogie gets caught.
Quote
It was then decided to target the Ed Sheeran concert on May 18th at three locations close to the park because gardaí knew they could check a lot of taxis very quickly at the same locations before news of the checkpoint locations spread and drivers began avoiding the area.

Online Octavia1

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #11 on: August 07, 2018, 06:41:59 pm »
Last weekend was the worst in years at this time of year
...
Fukin turbins and grass skirts all over the fukin place....
Who's hiring them the taxis.....
Thats the question the keystones plod shud be askin.....
Ide rather be a poor master than a rich servant

Offline Scooterman

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #12 on: August 07, 2018, 07:31:15 pm »
They were caught cheating the  Test a couple of years , you can’t trust them

Offline silverbullet

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #13 on: August 07, 2018, 07:38:18 pm »
I wonder what kind of people provide SPSV training services, no questions asked?

Offline SClass

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Re: Crackdown on illegal immigrant taxi drivers
« Reply #14 on: August 07, 2018, 10:57:16 pm »
I wonder what kind of people provide SPSV training services, no questions asked?




 
They were caught cheating the  Test a couple of years , you can’t trust them



Yes exactly,
So why the  big surprise now.
It's been going on for years,
18 years in fact,
Every 3rd or 4th taxi now is a foreign
Driver, especially at night.
Non EU at that,
What a laff ,the PSV test was made much harder to pass,
Not for....
Chinese,
Pakistanis,
Indians,
Sub saharan,
Africans,
They all find it a piece of piss,
Jumping through the hoops not a bother, on the road in no time,

While thousands of Irish driving around on provisional licences,
Because they can't pass the driving test,

The Lefty snowflakes half the country fucked.

 


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