Ballina man who operated illegal taxi also guilty of dumping

A man who was caught running an unlicensed taxi service by an undercover garda and separately admitted dumping litter to make money has been placed on probation bond.

Barney Maughan, with an address at 22 Cluain na Ri, Ballina pleaded guilty at the local district court to the offence at Humbert Street on April 30, 2022.

During a previous hearing, the court heard Gda Fergal O'Gara received some information and it was alleged the defendant was operating an unlicensed taxi service.

Gda O'Gara phoned Maughan and requested a taxi from Dunnes Stores to the Grand National Hotel in Ballina.

He subsequently went to the supermarket and a blue 2007 Ford Focus pulled up and the accused asked him if he was the man looking for the taxi.

After Gda O’Gara got into the vehicle, Maughan informed him that the fare would be €10 and following the transaction O'Gara identified himself as a member of An Garda Síochána.

Maughan also pleaded guilty to two separate illegal dumping offences which occurred on April 27 and 28, 2022 at Libadore, and Shanaghy, Ballina and Judge Fiona Lydon ordered him to cover the council’s €400 clean-up costs.

Solicitor Peter Loftus said his client was in a difficult financial situation as his partner was due to have their baby and he urgently needed money.

“In respect of the offences it was motivated by financial needs,” he said. “He is eager to take up employment or employment opportunities.” 

Judge Lydon said Maughan seemed to be very intelligent and she believed he could put his entrepreneurial spirit to much better use.

She placed him on a probation bond for 12-months and said she felt he would benefit from the related training and employment opportunities.