A taxi driver was so intent on squirming his way into a rank space that he blocked up traffic, completely ignored a garda rapping on his window, and then dangerously edged his car in “on top” of the garda who had to take evasive action to avoid being hit.
The Galway District Court also heard that the 42-year-old defendant caused a scene by roaring and shouting, resisted arrest, and that it took three gardai to eventually put handcuffs on him.
Before Judge Mary Fahy last Monday was Samuel Amankwah of 110 Coill Tire, Doughiska, who denied the charges of resisting Garda Eric O’Donnell and of dangerous driving at Eyre Square on February 7, 2009. However Amankwah failed to contest the charges and was fined a total of €1,150 and disqualified from driving for two years.
Garda O’Donnell gave evidence that at 11.30pm he had been responding to reports of taxis obstructing traffic. The taxis which were vying for a space on the rank in Eyre Square had queued up making Forster Street impassable. Garda O’Donnell spotted one taxi double parked with the engine running and he approached the driver, tapped on the window, and directed him to move on. However Amankwah totally ignored him and started to move his car “on top” of Garda O’Donnell. Concerned that his legs would be hit by the car, Garda O’Donnell tapped a second time on the window but the driver kept moving his car forcing Garda O’Donnell to jump out of the way and onto the footpath.
“He ignored me at all times. He took out his driving license but refused to give it to me. I cautioned him but he refused to get out of the car. He then started roaring and shouting. He eventually stepped out of the car but continued to roar and shout. He was making a scene,” said Garda O’Donnell, who then explained that he had to request the assistance of two gardai who were passing in a patrol car. Together the three gardai attempted to arrest Amankwah but a struggle ensued. They eventually got him to the Garda station where he continued to be abusive and un-cooperative. Under cross-examination by the defence barrister, Garda O’Donnell explained that Amankwah seemed to not want to lose his space on the rank, however, he added that there was actually no space for him as the rank was full.
When the defendant took the stand he said that he drove to the end of Forster Street and that when the traffic light was green he took a chance to get a place on the taxi rank in Eyre Square. He then insisted that a female garda spoke to him first, that she had opened the taxi door, and released the seat belt. He said that when he stood up and got out from the car his phone and wallet fell from his lap. He went to pick these items up and that was when he saw the other gardai.
Inspector Michael Coppinger put it to the defendant that he had been blocking all the traffic and that when told to move on by the garda he got annoyed because he could lose a place on the rank.
“I didn’t even see that guard,” Amankwah replied.
The court then heard that Amankwah, who has no previous convictions, is married with five children, and that the taxi is the only source of income for him and his family.
Judge Fahy said that as a taxi driver the defendant had an obligation to move aside and co-operate with gardai. Leave to appeal was granted.
