Man disputed his taxi fare

A 55 year old home from England ended up in court after he had a dispute with a taxi driver over the fare charged.

Before Sligo District Court was Patrick McSharry of 49 Penny Cook , Edinburgh who was charged with making off without paying a € 20.60 taxi fare at The Sligo Park Hotel on July 9th and with engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and with being intoxicated on the same occasion.

Insepctor Paul Kilcoyne said Gardai were called to the hotel after a disagreement had arisen over a taxi fare.

The defendant had been brought from Collooney to the hotel and it was alleged he had thrown change at the taxi driver before running off into the hotel.

Gardai found him inside. He was intoxicated and he used abusive language about the taxi driver.

Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor ( defending) said the defendant had travelled home to visit family.

He believed he had been overcharged.

The defendant paid the taxi driver € 18 but he wanted € 22.

For the same journey previously he d been charged € 16 said Mr McGovern.

He added that the Gardai arrived half an hour later and the defendant was arrested.

He did not have any previous convictions. He was in good form home visiting his family and is not a man of a criminal nature.

Judge Kevin Kilrane said he would apply the Probation Act on condition the defendant pay € 100 to North West Hospice.