The horrific injuries sustained by the taxi driver
At approximately 1.00 am the taxi driver picked up a fare in the Abercorn Square area of Strabane and took him to Glebe Gardens where the male passenger proceeded to assault the taxi driver and cause damage to his vehicle.
The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.
On Tuesday, January 14, police said that detectives have charged the teenager with grievous bodily harm with intent, making off without payment and criminal damage.
The suspect is due to appear at Omagh Magistrates’ Court this morning for a first remand hearing.
The owner of the taxi firm Street Cabs Streetcars Strabane Paddy McLaughlin has put up a reward over the vicious assault on one of his drivers.
He posted on Facebook: “At approximately 1.15 am on Monday morning, one of our drivers lifted a fare in Strabane town and was instructed to take the fare to The Glebe area of Sion Mills.
“On arrival at an address in The Glebe, our driver was viciously attacked by the male he was driving to this destination, and the horrifying outcome of this attack is plain for all to see.
“The nature of attacks such as this and others have no place in our society. We work in a difficult industry at the best of times, and the financial gain is petty in return.
“Attacks such as this are no different to attacks on medical staff or emergency service providers.
“We work alone and too many times we are exposed to certain threats that remain between the driver and the fare.
“I personally have decided to put up a cash reward to anyone with information on this brutal attack.
“Although this happened at 1.15 am, it took place in a built up area and I’m certain it was witnessed by someone in the park concerned. Any information submitted to me will be treated with anonymity.
“I wish to offer our driver a swift recovery and to relay to him that the thoughts of everyone in our firm, and indeed most people in our town are with him and his family at this difficult time.
Patrick McLaughlin (Streetcars)
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