A Dublin taxi driver, Lucas Bittencourt, 39, has been ordered to pay €1,600 in compensation to a female passenger after being found guilty of using obscene and offensive language towards her during a trip in Dublin on May 14th last year.
Bittencourt, who resides on Upper Dominic Street in Dublin, pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him by the National Transport Authority (NTA).
During the journey, the female passenger, who had hailed Bittencourt’s taxi in the city center and requested to be taken to Northwood, Dublin 9, found herself subjected to intrusive questioning.
Bittencourt, who identified himself as Brazilian, repeatedly asked personal questions such as “Do you live alone?” and made inappropriate comments about her appearance.
Upon reaching her destination, Bittencourt continued his offensive behavior by making remarks about the passenger’s relationship status and appearance, causing her discomfort and unease. The woman promptly paid the fare and exited the taxi, later filing a complaint with NTA officer Anthony Carey.
In court, Bittencourt expressed regret for his actions but claimed he could not recall the specifics of the trip. His defense counsel, Patrick Jackson, highlighted Bittencourt’s 15-year unblemished record as a taxi driver and argued that the inappropriate behavior was out of character for his client.
Judge Anthony Halpin, however, deemed the case serious and emphasized the violation of the passenger’s right to safe passage without being subjected to intrusive questioning or offensive language. Judge Halpin imposed a compensation order of €1,600 for the victim and required a €400 contribution towards the NTA’s costs.
Bittencourt agreed to comply with the court’s orders but requested time to make the payment. Judge Halpin acknowledged the potential consequences of a conviction, including the loss of Bittencourt’s taxi driver privileges, and adjourned the case until December.
The NTA withdrew a second count against Bittencourt for acting offensively towards the woman on the same date, but both charges remain in violation of the Taxi Regulation Act.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting passengers’ privacy and safety during taxi journeys, and highlights the consequences drivers may face for inappropriate behavior towards passengers.
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