A 41-year-old man who is well on his way from being blacklisted by nearly all Galway taxis received a nine month suspended sentence this week for several counts of making off without paying for fares.
The Galway District Court heard on Monday how a cheeky Brian Curran added insult to injury when he asked a big-hearted taxi driver to lend him €10 to buy a bag of chips but then refused to give back the money or to pay the substantial fare when he arrived at his destination.
Curran, with an address at Knocknagreine, Furbo, pleaded guilty to three counts of making off without payment for taxi services, and one count of making off without paying at Busker Browns, Cross Street, being intoxicated in a public place, and threatening and abusive behaviour.
Inspector Pat McHugh told the court that on August 13, 2009, at 8. 30pm the defendant was in Busker Browns where he ordered nearly €20 worth of drinks and left without paying. However, he was followed by a diligent member of staff down the road and was arrested by gardai.
On November 22, 2009, the defendant had obtained the services of a taxi, with the fare amounting to €28, and refused to pay for it. He was also very drunk and abusive to the driver and to gardai. However, the worst incident had been on September 11, 2009, at 9pm when Curran got a taxi to his home but along the way he asked the driver to lend him €10 to get chips, telling him that he had money in the house. However, when the taxi got to the house Curran refused to pay the fare or even pay back the €10 for the chips.
“To add insult to injury,” said Judge Mary Fahy, who added that she was surprised that the defendant has not been blacklisted by the taxis in Galway.
The court then heard that the defendant has 22 previous convictions, the majority of which were for not paying taxi fares.
“I don’t know where he is finding the taxis. I’d imagine he is blacklisted by a number of them”, said defence solicitor Ms Traynor, who added, “Each time he always thinks there is money in the house to pay for it [the fare]”.
When Judge Fahy enquired if Curran has a drink problem he told her: “No, I just get drunk”.
“He says he has no drink problem but I have my suspicions,” said Judge Fahy, who then acknowledged that €90 had been paid by Curran in compensation. She then convicted Curran and imposed a total of nine months suspended for 12 months on condition that he enter into a bond of €600 to be of good behaviour. He was also fined €300 with four months to pay.
