Man smashed windscreen of taxi and damaged roof
By Brendan Grehan
A DAD who jumped on a taxi and caused over €2,000 damage has appeared before Blanchardstown District Court.
David Wright, aged 34, with an address at Mill Park, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to damaging a taxi at Orchard Road in Clondalkin on October 7, 2018.
Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Judge David McHugh that at 3.10am on the above date, a taxi-driver pulled in to pick up a fare when Wright approached the cab and jumped on the bonnet.
Sgt Callaghan said Wright then leapt into the air and came down on the windscreen, smashing it with his knees and damaging the roof. Wright then rolled off the cab and walked towards Ninth Lock Road.
Sgt Callaghan said the taxi-driver followed Wright and identified him to gardai. Wright was then arrested.
Judge McHugh commented that it had been “a random attack”.
Wright’s solicitor said his client had been highly intoxicated at the time. He said Wright had a problem with alcohol but was dealing with it.
The Solicitor said Wright had been grieving as his mother had died a few months previously.
The total bill for the damage and the loss of earnings for the taxi-driver came to €2,634 and that sum was in court.
Judge McHugh commented that Wright “has some form of alcohol problem”.
Judge McHugh said. “Give him some drink and he’s one of those people that go crazy.”
He noted that the compensation had been paid and told the court that Wright could avoid a four-month custodial sentence if he was deemed suitable to do 150 hours of community service. Judge McHugh adjourned the case for a community service report.
