'Taxi driver from hell' showed tourists graphic M50 crash images while driving them to Dublin Airport
https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/taxi-driver-hell-showed-tourists-15843664Two young tourists have complained to the National Transport Authority and Lynk after being shown graphic pictures of last month's fatal M50 crash by a taxi driver who also overcharged them.
Anna Whittaker and Rachel Sutherland, both 22, were on their way to Dublin Airport when the driver allegedly sped while using his phone, said he was 'brought up to hate English', and drove Anna away from the airport alone after Rachel left to get money.
The incident was reported after the driver also allegedly quoted them a price of €25 before demanding €51 when they arrived.
Speaking to Dublin Live, Anna said he took out his phone while speeding on the motorway before showing them the horror pictures of the crash that left Jackie Griffin dead on January 24.
The Derby native said: "He got out his phone and started scrolling through his pictures, whilst driving.
"He was trying to find a photo of 'a decapitated head'. He had even drawn a circle around the poor woman's head lying in the road. It was distressing and we never asked to see it.
"Upon arrival at the airport, he demanded €51 despite being quoted €25 twice over the phone.
"I insisted that we would not pay double the price, and rang Lynk.
"They said 'we would've never quoted you 25 euros. Also, if you took the M50 route then of course it would cost more.'
"I didn't realise we had to ask the driver which route he would be taking!
"We only had €40 but the driver would not accept this and started to raise his voice."
Anna's friend Rachel then went into the airport to take out the extra cash - but the driver then got impatient and decided to take Anna on a detour to a petrol station to get it instead.
She said: "He was annoyed that Rachel was taking 'too long' so sped off with just me in the car so I could get the cash instead.
"It was a terrifying experience. He had told us earlier 'my dad would kill me if he knew I had two English girls in my cab, I was brought up to hate the English'.
"I rang Rachel and told her (in Spanish so he hopefully wouldn't understand) that I was worried where he was taking me.
"Eventually, after I got cash out, he took me back to the airport. I gave him the cash and went to meet my friend.
"We were both furious at the situation and felt that he would've treated us with more respect if we weren't two young female travellers."
Lynk confirmed the complaint telling Dublin Live that "the issues outlined were addressed and necessary action was taken."
They refunded the women €17 while the NTA also received a complaint and passed the information on to gardai who are reviewing the details.
Despite the experience, Anna said the pair "absolutely fell in love" with the city and that everyone else they encountered was "so friendly".
