A ‘well got’ man who live-streamed on social media threatening to kill himself and put a ligature around his neck has obtained a taxi licence despite Garda concerns.
At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett granted the man a one year public service vehicle (PSV) licence for a taxi for the greater Ennis area.
Local Gardai had refused the man a three year PSV licence due to concerns over his mental health and the case came before Judge Gabbett where the man was appealing Chief Supt Colm O’Sullivan’s decision to refuse him the PSV licence.
In evidence, Chief Supt O’Sullivan confirmed that Gardai refused the licence arising from an incident where the man live-streamed to his ex-partner on a social media platform where he threatened to kill himself and put a ligature around his neck.
The woman had provided a still image from the live stream when informing Gardai of what had occurred.
Chief Supt O’Sullivan said that the incident was in the context of the man learning that Gardai were investigating a matter under the Domestic Violence Act relating to his partner.
Judge Gabbett said that for the man’s former partner to view the live stream “is something that would have been horrific”
However, Judge Gabbett has granted the man a one year licence after a medical report handed into court concluded that the man currently doesn’t suffer from mental stress and doesn’t pose an immediate risk to himself and others at present.
There was no allegation of violence made against the man under the Domestic Violence Act and the non-Irish national does not have any previous convictions.
Chief O’Sullivan said that he had a couple of concerns arising from the expert report on the applicant.
Solicitor, Stiofan Fitzpatrick said that his client would not be the first person to suffer from a mental health issue and continue to work.
Mr Fitzpatrick said that there are taxi drivers with criminal records operating in Dublin.
Mr Fitzpatrick said that his client has no criminal record and has always worked.
He said: “He worked as a barber where he had access to scissors and razors and there was no incident of any sort. He is well got.”
Judge Gabbett said that “there is an impulsivity aspect that concerns me, the impulsivity with the ligature…”
Judge Gabbett told the man that “you have a vulnerability in relation to your mental health”.
Judge Gabbett said that the public was his primary concern when deciding on the appeal and that was why he had sought the expert medical report on the man’s mental health.
Judge Gabbett told him “you need to be very careful about your mental health. Monitor it, go to your doctor, keep on top of your mental health”.
Chief Supt O’Sullivan proposed that the man not work past 10pm due to Judge Gabbett’s concerns over the man’s mental health.
However, Judge Gabbett said that he was reluctant to impose such a condition as the man “has to make a living”.
Mr Fitzpatrick said that if his client does step out of line over the next 12 months, Gardai can come back to court and have his PSV licence revoked.
