Man jailed for syringe attack on taxi-driver

A Dublin heroin dealer has been jailed for three years for attacking a taxi-driver with a syringe

A Dublin heroin dealer has been jailed for three years for attacking a taxi-driver with a syringe. Danny O'Reilly and another man held syringes to the victim's neck and one of them shouted "let's drag him outside and do him". O'Reilly (25) of Liscarne Gardens, Clondalkin, also admitted having £450 worth of heroin on September 16th, 1997, and selling heroin.

Det Garda Dennis Kenny told the court that on February 22nd, 1997, a taxi-driver agreed to take O'Reilly, his co-accused and two women to Clondalkin. He was directed to a cul-de-sac where the two men stuck syringes to his neck and demanded money. One of the syringes contained blood and the driver was terrified he would be stabbed. His car keys were taken by one of the men, who also ripped the two-way radio from the car.

Judge Dominic Lynch said he had to take into account the terror inflicted on the taxi-driver. He noted that O'Reilly had made efforts to end his heroin addiction and had the support of his family.