By coincidence, another one from ROI
'He wouldn't stop driving'- Two women allege late-night taxi driver falsely imprisoned them after hiking fare
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/uk-w ... o-34721884
Detectives got a warrant at a special court sitting on Sunday evening
Gardaí have impounded a taxi driver's vehicle after two women reported a harrowing ordeal of false imprisonment.
The Irish Mirror has learned that detectives also confiscated the driver's mobile phone after attending court on Sunday afternoon to obtain an emergency search warrant, as part of the ongoing investigation into the women's allegations.
"The case is being treated very seriously," one source said, adding that a full investigation is now under way into the women's complaints.
The incident occurred in a town in the north-west of the country late on Saturday night. Sources indicate the driver is a foreign national who has been living in the country for several years.
It has been established that the incident began when the man collected three women who had been enjoying a night out together, reports the Irish Mirror.
One woman took the front passenger seat while the other two sat in the rear, and they requested the driver take them to an address outside the town.
The car duly arrived at the destination, however the woman in the front seat grew alarmed when she noticed the driver allegedly inflate the fare from approximately €15 to nearly €40.
She challenged the taxi driver over the discrepancy, alleging that he subsequently became aggressive.
She then attempted to defuse the situation by stepping out of the vehicle to pay. However, upon her exit, the driver allegedly locked the doors and drove off with the two remaining women still in the back seat.
They subsequently informed gardaí that the driver spent 30 minutes circling the town with the frightened passengers in the rear - before making his way to the local Garda station.
"It's alleged he wouldn't stop driving the taxi or let them out," a source revealed to us. Upon arriving at the station, the driver and both women entered to speak with gardaí.
Following discussions, it was decided the women would pay the driver €24. After receiving payment, he departed.
The women remained distressed by their experience on Sunday morning - and lodged a criminal complaint of false imprisonment with officers.
Sources indicate that gardaí on duty at the time recorded statements from both women.
We understand that officers subsequently attended a special Sunday sitting of a district court where they obtained a warrant to seize both the taxi driver's vehicle and mobile phone.
They acted later that day and confiscated both items. While the driver has not been arrested, a major investigation is now underway.
We approached the Garda Press Office for a statement.
A spokesman informed us: "Gardaí in the North Western Region are investigating all the circumstances in relation to a reported incident in the early hours of Sunday 4th October 2026.
"Investigations ongoing."
