Taxi driver avoids assault conviction for pushing cyclist who called him a “p***k” after dangerous close pass – because judge said driver was “taken aback by bad language”

It's almost as if it is encouraging people cycling who are assaulted to vociferously defend themselves. I for one wouldn't rely on the legal system to give me justice if I am assaulted, which had happened to me recently. The bloke still shouts and screams at me inside his very expensive metal box but refrains from getting out and assaulting me. I now have a camera too.

Standard behaviour for taxi drivers.

'The solicitor also claimed that words were exchanged and that her client “felt intimidated” by the cyclist and pushed him.'

Ah yes. The good old "we felt intimidated by" defence. If you can use it to justify invading a peaceful neighbouring country, you can certainly use it to justify shoving a fellow road user.

Can we see the footage somewhere?

The taxi driver "had not realised he had gone so close to the cyclist". The defence is saying "my client can't drive safely", plus a guilty plea for assault and yet still no serious penalties for the driver. What a joke.

Seriously a 52 yr old TAXI driver was "taken aback" by the insult? Complete nonsense I can guarantee this bloke has said far worse probably to his own family and friends complete hogwash....time to call a proctologist some judge needs their head pulling out their _ _ _ _! As for only being charged 300 Euros well it's not exactly real money 🤣

What a convoluted route the judge had to get to to reach the Right Answer.

We all know that the Right Answer is that in a confrontation between a driver and a cyclist, the cyclist's right and proper place is in the wrong.

The hard part is creating a sequence of reasoning that links from the close pass and assault to placing the blame for all that on the victim.

If the victim of an assault was anyone other than a cyclist, would the result have been different?
Almost certainly.
As this indicates discrimination, can this be appealled as unduly lenient?

What a crap road design too, on what looks like a residential road. Solid hashed area in the middle keeping cars apart from each other, so they can go faster without hitting each other, but I bet the taxi dirver didn't enter it to do the the overtake. on the cyclist.

Judge Brennan is making a play to take Judge Melanie Greally's and Judge Martin Nolan's title as Ireland's worst judge

The Dublin taxi driver, when they aren't ripping off passengers, sexually assaulting them or driving like they make up the rules as they go along, apparently don't like rude words. Incredible

Another judge who gives more weight to hurty words than physical assault.

Someone explain to me why you would get out of your nice secure car, invulnerable to cyclists, if you felt intimidated by a cyclist.

Well there you go, literally no point reporting this stuff if that's the outcome.

Judge passes judgment on Judge, clear conflict of interest there...

I was so taken aback that I got stopped, got out of my car and assaulted him. The same thing any reasonable person would do. 

Quote:

Judge John Brennan

That judge needs kicking up the arse.

Poor lamb, offended by a bit of industrial language.
Perhaps he should give cyclists more room.
We really are in a strange place where people get away with being bellends and the system supports them..

So you feel your life has been threatened, and resort to bad language in the heat of the moment. A driver then stops, exits their car, and confronts you, but the judge believes they feel intimidated and throws out a charge which they have already pleaded guilty to, that of assault.

Beggars belief