€500 taxi trip from Tralee to Sligo court
Asylum Seeker (28) made off without paying taxi fare after 325km journey
A 28-year-old Asylum seeker took a taxi from Tralee to Sligo at a cost of €500 in order to make a court appearance on a Public Order summons. It is alleged the man, Waleed Khan, (pictured) a native of Pakistan and formerly of Globe House in Sligo made off without paying the fare. He was promptly arrested and brought before a sitting of the District Court on Thursday where he promised his “friends in Riverstown” would come up with the money for the taxi driver. A Garda told the Court they told the taxi driver there was no point hanging around and he left for home in Tralee. Khan was remanded in custody to a special sitting but no money was forthcoming on Friday night.
A 28-year-old man has been remanded in custody with consent to bail after allegedly making off without paying for a €500 taxi ride from Tralee to Sligo where he was due to appear on a Public Order summons.
Waleed Khan, a native of Pakistan and formerly of Globe House but now living in an asylum centre in Tralee, Atlas House was originally facing just one Public Order summons for engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour at the A and E Department at Sligo University Hospital on July 16 th last.
However, he was charged last Thursday with dishonestly by deception obtain services from Pat Godley by obtaining a taxi from Tralee to Sligo with the intention of causing loss in that he agreed a fee of €500 to Sligo and failed to pay on arrival. Khan told the court he lived in Ireland for a number of years.
“Is the taxi driver here? asked Judge Kevin Kilrane.
“we sent him home,” said the arresting Garda Martha Carter.
The court heard Khan had no family in Ireland. He claimed a €300 fee was agreed with the taxi driver.
Mr Tom MacSharry, solicitor (defending) said Khan had moved from Globe House after “having some difficulties there.”
Khan said he would definitely pay by getting a loan from his “Pakistani friends living in Riverstown.”
JUDGE Kilrane remanded Khan in custody to a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Friday night at 9pm.
At that sitting, Khan elected for trial by judge and jury on the charge. There was no mention of any money being present in court for the taxi driver.
Free legal aid was granted to Mr MacSharry.
Judge Kilrane remanded Khan in custody with consent to his own cash bail of €250 to appear at a sitting of Harristown District Court in Castlerea on September 15 th.