Taxi driver who knocked down six-year-old boy on bike in Louth estate avoids disqualification

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 49-year-old taxi man has been fined €750 for careless driving after he collided with a cyclist in the housing estate where they both live.

Shafaat Khokhar, Fountain Hill, Drogheda, pleaded guilty to the offence which occurred in Fountain Hill on May 30 last.

The court heard that the victim, a six-year-old boy, suffered a broken arm and bruising.

The defendant, who has no previous occasions, was fully insured.

Sgt John O’Hehir presented evidence that Mr Khokhar was exiting the estate on his way to work as a taxi driver in Dublin.

The cyclist, who was wearing a helmet, passed a stop sign. CCTV showed the accused travelling at a ‘good speed’ in the estate. He braked at the collision. There was a dent on the front right hand side of the car.

Sgt O’Hehir said there was no CCTV footage in court. The defence solicitor said that his copy was available.

Judge Michael Connellan remarked that “speed seems to be the issue”.

Solicitor Conor MacGuill was happy for the case to proceed. The footage was not shown.

He submitted that the child “came over to where he (Mr Khokhar) was”.

The defendant should have known. The boy lived in the same estate where there were other children.

Mr MacGuill continued that his client, a father of three, was a taxi driver who worked out of Dublin Airport, earning €500 net per-week.

He was seeking leniency having dealt with the matter as quickly as he could.

A note from the defendant’s GP was handed into court.

Judge Connellan imposed a €750 fine with no disqualification.

Bail in the event of an appeal was set at €200 cash.