Cork gardaí launch investigation into unlicensed taxi operation

A vehicle was detained on February 24 by gardaí as part of a PSV vehicle enforcement operation in the Douglas area.
Cork gardaí launch investigation into unlicensed taxi operation

The unlicensed ‘taxi’ being towed away in Douglas.

Investigations into an unlicensed taxi operation in Cork city are now underway following the seizure of a vehicle last week.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed to The Echo that a vehicle was detained on February 24 as part of a PSV vehicle enforcement operation in the Douglas area.

The vehicle, a dark grey Toyota Avensis, was caught operating without a valid taxi registration number, an up-to-date NCT and with unroadworthy bald tyres.

Upon inspection of the vehicle, which had an overhead taxi lightbox and taxi decals on the doors, it was noted that the interior was in disarray, with damaged seats and an accumulation of dirt within the footwells and middle console.

Pictured is the damaged and dirty interior of the unlicensed taxi seized in Douglas recently.
Pictured is the damaged and dirty interior of the unlicensed taxi seized in Douglas recently.

The car was subsequently towed and impounded, with a garda spokesperson stating that the “only pickup this unlicensed taxi was getting was the one by the tow truck”.

“Investigations are ongoing,” the spokesperson said.

“No arrests have been made at this time.” 

The seizure of this vehicle comes following a similar operation undertaken at Cork Airport last year, where another unlicensed driver was caught providing such a service.

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