Man and woman charged after Dublin taxi driver ‘viciously attacked’

A man and a woman have been charged after a taxi driver in Dublin had a bottle smashed over his head before he was punched, kicked and bitten during an assault.

Jiyue Song (32) was hospitalised following an alleged incident at the Charleston Road junction in Ranelagh at about 5.20am on Saturday.

He was taken to St Vincent’s hospital where he received numerous stitches, but he has since been discharged.

Gardaí arrested Gary Crowley (27) and Sarah Fitzgerald (22) a short distance from the scene. They were brought before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court yesterday. Both face charges of assault causing harm to Mr Song, contrary to section three of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act.

Hotel worker

Mr Crowley, unemployed, from Oakley Road, Dublin 6, and Ms Fitzgerald, a part-time hotel worker from Sycamore Lawns, Castleknock, Dublin, have not yet indicated how they will plead.

Det Garda James O’Donnell said Mr Crowley made no reply when he was charged, while Ms Fitzgerald answered: “I am sorry for what happened to the taxi man.”

Det Garda O’Donnell objected to bail being granted to Mr Crowley due to the seriousness of the alleged incident.

“Gary Crowley and his female companion were driven by taxi to Charleston Road and, on arrival, refused to pay the full fare,” he said.

“On the path, the driver was struck on the back of his head with a bottle” before he was “viciously attacked”, the detective said.

He said Mr Crowley was covered in blood, there was CCTV evidence and a further charge may be contemplated.

Defence solicitor Michael Kelleher told the court it could take some time until the DPP issues directions in the case. He said there were no concerns his client, who was granted legal aid, would leave the country.

He would abide by bail conditions including a curfew and an order to remain sober at all times, the solicitor said.

Judge Walsh refused to grant bail and remanded Mr Crowley in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court tomorrow pending directions from the DPP.

Drug free

There was no objection to bail being granted to Ms Fitzgerald, who agreed to reside at her home address, sign on three times a week at Blanchardstown Garda station, stay out of the Dublin 6 area and remain alcohol and drug free.

She was granted legal aid and ordered to appear again in September.