Taxi Driver Online

Judge warns that taxi drivers will be protected from assault as he jails attacker for a year

A JUDGE has warned that the courts would protect taxi drivers from attack as he jailed a man for his involvement in a brutal assault and hijacking six year ago. Belfast Recorder Judge David McFarland made his remarks as he jailed Barney McGinley (24), of Castle Drive in Dublin, for a year after he pleaded guilty to hijacking a taxi and common assault.

Belfast Crown Court heard how a taxi driver picked up McGinley, his uncle and another man in the city centre in the early hours of November 15, 2011. Prosecution barrister Philip Henry said the cabbie was told to drive out to the Malone Road and then directed down New Forge Lane. He said that en route he had felt "scared'' of his passengers, one of whom was drinking from a bottle of wine in the rear of his Mercedes vehicle.

The court heard that the driver was directed him to a "less populated part of New Forge Lane'' where he was told to stop and the front seat passenger, McGinley's uncle, reached over to try and grab the keys before pushing the driver out of the door. Mr Henry said the driver tried to run away and made a 999 call to police telling them what had happened and his location, saying: "These are big guys. You will need more than one police car to take them.''

The judge heard that the three males later caught up with him, pulled him to the ground before being kicked and punched him to his upper body and face. Police soon arrived on the scene to find the taxi's engine running and the vehicle empty. Officers called in the PSNI's Dog Section along with an armed response vehicle for back up. All three men were later found hiding hearby in undergrowth and were arrested. During police interview McGinley said he couldn't remember what happened due to his intoxication.

They were subsequently charged over the incident but the court heard they were later released on bail and skipped the jurisdiction to the Republic. McGinley was later arrested by Gardaí over the robbery of a veterinary practice in December 2014 and was jailed for three years.

In April this year he was extradited to Northern Ireland after he was formally arrested by Gardaí on foot of a European Extradition Warrant. The prosecution counsel said there was no victim impact statement from the taxi driver as he was suffering from a terminal illness unrelated to the hijacking.

However a defence barrister said McGinley was now "remorseful and had victim empathy'' adding he had lost his wife and children as a result of what happened.

Passing sentence, Judge McFarland said: "Taxi drivers will receive the support of the courts from anyone who attempts to hijack their vehicles or assault them and they will receive severe punishment.

"Taxi drivers provide a vital service to the community and it is important that they are protected."

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IDFIMH

I like this judge.

I actually think most judges share his view, and their guidance indicates they should.

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IDFIMH