Louth taxi drivers unhappy with gardaí and prison service for parking on rank outside courthouse

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Taxi drivers have objected to prison service and garda vehicles parking in taxi spaces along the front of Dundalk courthouse, according to a local councillor.

Cllr. Maeve Yore raised the issue at the September meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, revealing that local drivers had contacted her to query why gardai and the prison services are taking up spaces, as there are just twelve designated for taxis.

She said drivers had provided video evidence which showed the majority of taxi spaces having been taken up. They had also said parking spaces were being used “on most days.”

"Can we as a council approach the prison service and the gardai and ask them not to park here?” asked Cllr. Yore.

She said there were parking facilities at the rear of the courthouse, which could be used by both organisations.

Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive at Louth County Council, said there had been meetings with the prison service, and there were concerns about a “pinch point” which meant that parking at the rear of the courthouse isn’t suitable for security reasons.

"From a security point of view it wouldn’t work,” said Mr. McEvoy.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr. Yore told The Argus that drivers contacted her directly, saying they had “tried to negotiate with the prison service but were getting nowhere.”

She said one driver had forwarded her a video showing all taxi spaces taken up by garda vehicles and prison vans.

“The reality is that this is the main place in Dundalk to get a taxi, it’s where the majority of people go if they want to hop in.”

She said hackney driers work under different terms and conditions and are not relying on customers waiting at the courthouse rank.

"The reality is that for these men and women this is their livelihood, they are not trying to be awkward about this, they are just asking for a solution to be found.”