A City Cabs taxi driver, who lost his temper because of the alleged misbehaviour of a passenger, has been ordered to pay his client £5,300 compensation. Judge Diarmuid Sheridan held that Paul Cassidy hit his passenger so hard that Mr Paul Reid lost four front teeth when his head hit the kerb.
Mr Reid (27), of Curlew Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, told his counsel, Ms Marie Whelan, that Cassidy punched him and knocked him to the ground outside the Long Mile Pub following a dispute about directions.
Cassidy, of Woodvale Avenue, Clonsilla, told his counsel, Mr Charles Corcoran, that Mr Reid had been abusive and had refused to pay his fare. He had struck him with the back of his hand after Mr Reid had kneed him in the groin. He was sorry for what had happened.
Mr Corcoran said his client admitted there had been a wrong perpetrated and regretted over reacting to "sustained provocation".
Judge Sheridan said that while he did not hold Mr Reid blameless this was a blatant assault by Cassidy.