Gardai and Unpaid Taxi Fares

[Jamie99]

Hope its OK to post here.

I had a bad night on Friday and got a taxi home. I was very drunk and had a disagreement with the taxi driver about the fare and soilage charge. Hr called the Guards and I got arrested for not paying the taxi fare . Spent the night in the cells and also ended up charged with drunk and dusorderly and giving a false name. I have a court dare in a few weeks.

I dont want any of this yo go to court and was speaking to a mate who said that if I go to the Guard and pay the fare to him to give to the taxi driver I could get that sorted. I went sown to the Gatda station tonight and eventually got talking to another Garda -  noy yje one who arrested me and he said they couldnt take the money and I would have to go court and the judge would decide.

The Guard tonight was only a young lad abouy my own age so dont know if it would be a goos idea to go back when the Garda who arrested me was back on as he was off tonight and he might say something different.

Just wondering if you have had any dealings with Guards in situations like mine and if they sorted it out or if it ended up going to court?

[Bob Shillin]

Had a pax similar to yourself a few years back. Guard dragged him out of the car after normal discussion proved fruitless for a €12 fare. Heard no more until about 10 days later when there was a cheque from Bray courthouse for €100. How old are you? If you are over say 23 I think  that you should go and put yourself at the mercy of the court to reinforce "message to self", and get some alcohol counselling, possibly give it up before you do more damage.

[john m]

Serves you righ being a prick when you are drunk that said .You probably fucked up the drivers night if you spewed your ring all over his car .Your best option is when you go to court bring the fare ,the soilage charge and a sum of cash as compensation for the drivers loss of earnings ,give it to him before your case is called and get your solicitor to inform the clerk  that you have done this and see if the taxi driver will withdraw the charge .Just hope that the Evening Herald are not in court that day .The drunken disorderly charge is up to the Gards .A few 100 euro fine is no problem but the Evening Herald makes most of us taxi drivers turn into phycos as we usually post it on our facebook pages .

[Rat Catcher]

If it's your first offence it may well be dismissed under the Probation Of Offenders Act provided you arrive in court with the fare and compensation for the driver... I'd suggest €300 plus the fare (excluding soilage charge). Similarly, you'll probably get off scott free if you're from an ethnic minority and were brought up within a culture that incorporates stealing. bullying, intimidation, drunkenness, abusive and aggressive behaviour and such like as it's social norm. Either way hire a solicitor, district court judges like to see their trade being supported.

[john m]

Dont forget to apologize to the Gard .The Drunken Disorderly charge usually emanates from your conduct twords the guardians of the peace .

[Shallowhal]

@John...
The taxi driver hasn't the power to withdraw the charge,
I'd say it could have been sorted amicably but you obviously pissed on said Garda's parade,
Contacting the arresting Garda would probably be the best option and coming up with the funds to compensate the driver.
Sounds like you were havin a good night up to that though.

[john m]

@John...
The taxi driver hasn't the power to withdraw the charge,
I'd say it could have been sorted amicably but you obviously pissed on said Garda's parade,
Contacting the arresting Garda would probably be the best option and coming up with the funds to compensate the driver.
Sounds like you were havin a good night up to that though.

If you get the compo and have a word on behalf of the offender and inform the clerk .They usually will withdraw the charge as it has been amicably settled saves time to allow the judge deal with more serious offences like drunk and disorderly .

[john m]

99 go to the Garda station apologize to the Gard offer compo to the driver more than likely they will drop it .Make a big deal of apologizing to the Gard .

[Rat Catcher]

I don't think that's correct, erm. AFAIK, the prosecuting Garda (or a colleague of his) has to take the stand and explain that the charge is dropped. often happens in road traffic cases where the criminal knows a Garda who has a word with the prosecuting Garda and/or the prosecuting Garda has been bribed or otherwise dissuaded from proceeding.

[Shallowhal]

If it does go to court...tell the wig you're from a broken home,drugs are a problem for you,can't get enough sneachta up yer nostrils of a Friday........to Thursday..it would probably be more helpful to your case if you have at least 60-70 previous convictions!!

[Rat Catcher]

If it does go to court...tell the wig you're from a broken home,drugs are a problem for you,can't get enough sneachta up yer nostrils of a Friday.......

... in your best traveller accent.

[Jamie99]

Thanks for the info and advice.

I'm 22 and Irish if that makes any difference.

This will be my first time in court.I was arrested 2 years ago but just got a caution for that.

Yes I was a prick on the night but it was about 3am so the taxi driver was probably nearly finished by then.

Im sure I will come up with the compensation or ffines but it will cost me. Would hate if it ended up in the paper. I am in the Army so its worse for me ending up in court or in the paper. Thats the reason I really didnt want to go to court.

Yes I pissed off the Garda too. I even got threatened with pepper spray because I struggled when he was trying to handcuff me .

[john m]

I don't think that's correct, erm. AFAIK, the prosecuting Garda (or a colleague of his) has to take the stand and explain that the charge is dropped. often happens in road traffic cases where the criminal knows a Garda who has a word with the prosecuting Garda and/or the prosecuting Garda has been bribed or otherwise dissuaded from proceeding.

The lad whod one the runner on me in Shankhill the gards called out to see him he handed over the fare plus the price of a pint .I collected it from the Garda Station and the guard asked was I satisfied .I said yes and he said so thats sorted then .I thanked him for his effords and as far as Imconcerned that was it done with .The Guards have more serious issues to deal with .Imsure if the Driver gets sorted he dosent want to waste his time turning up in court two or three times till this case is dealth with . If it was me id get in touch with the Guard and appoligise for my conduct and offer to settle the fare ,soiling and a few coins for the driver .The biggest deterrent to these yobboes is the Evening Herals splashing your name all over the paper for the neighbours to see what sort of a prick you really are and your employer sees your true character .

[weird al wankovitch]

If I was you I'd head down to the copper asap with the money. Soilage fee + fare. The guard can't take the money but he can arrange for you to hand the money to the driver personally if the driver is willing. I'd do it on the guards next shift if I was you, no messin with this stuff kid.

[Rat Catcher]

Different circumstances, erm. In your case the Garda clearly hadn't issued a summons or charge sheet. The OP says he has a court date so, unless he's rambling and that's completely unrelated to his arrest, it would appear that a charge sheet was issued. As an aside, charge sheets are generally taken more seriously than summonses insofar as Gardai are more reluctant to "fix" a charge sheet on foot of representations and/or bribes.