A taxi driver in his 30s has been hospitalised following a 'serious assault' in Dublin while he was carrying out a fare.
The early morning attack took place on Wednesday May 22 at 2:30am on the Beaumont Road.
Facebook group Dublin Taxi Drivers were alerted about the attack from a friend of the driver who said that he was assaulted after picking up a passenger on Ballybough crossroad at North Circular Road.
The attacker fled the scene shortly after the incident and the driver was hospitalised with "a couple of broken rips" according to the friend.
Gardai investigating the assault in Beaumont said: "A male taxi driver in his 30’s was taken to hospital following the attack."
They added: "A man in his 20’s was arrested and detained at Ballymun Garda Station, he has been released pending a file to the DPP."
A spokesperson for a group representing Dublin Taxi Drivers told Dublin Live that something needs to be done before a driver is killed.
They said: "Gardaí and NTA joined forces to ensure safety on public transport but that doesn't include taxis.
"They need to do more for taxi drivers. The situation is getting out of control.
"Very soon, a lot of drivers will give up night work and you wouldn’t blame them."
They added: "There has been plenty of attacks lately and it seems like the culprits are getting away scot-free.
"We need to introduce a law similar to the one in New York. The 'Taxi and Livery Driver protection Act' means assaulting a driver is punishable by up to 25 years in prison."
During the May Bank Holiday, Gardai arrested four people after an alleged hijacking and serious assault of a taxi driver in Dublin.
The incident occurred at approximately 12.30am at Rutland Grove, Crumlin ob May 6.
It’s understood the taxi driver was overpowered and seriously assaulted by a group of youths after driving them from the City Centre.
His mobile phone along with a sum of cash and dash cam were also taken during the incident.
The taxi driver, a 59-year-old man, was taken to St James’s Hospital by Ambulance for treatment to serious head and facial injuries.
Responding to the incident units from Sundrive and Crumlin Garda Stations arrested two males and two females, all aged in their late teens and early 20s, on Sundrive Road a short time later.
