A solicitor has accused the National Transport Authority of using a “sledge to crack a nut” after a taxi-driver appeared in court for not giving a customer a receipt.
Danny Doherty appeared at Letterkenny District court charged with the offence.
The court was told that officers from the department stopped Mr Doherty when he was leaving off a fare at Letterkenny Shopping Centre.
Officer Eugene McHale said he saw a woman hand Mr Doherty cash but he did not hand the passenger a receipt.
The driver was issued with a fixed penalty charge notice of €40 but did not pay the fine within 28 days as required.
Solicitor for the accused, Patsy Gallagher, asked Inspector McHale if there was anything wrong with the taxi and was told there was not.
Mr Gallagher said he had often travelled in taxis but had never received a receipt.
In response, a solicitor for the National Transport Authority said there was an obligation on the driver to print and offer a receipt to all customers.
He added that there was a Class C fine of €2,500 and expenses as a result of the offence.
Mr Gallagher replied that the NTA was using a “sledge to crack a nut.”
Judge Paul Kelly said that may well be the case but it was still the law.
Mr Gallagher said he apologised but then it may well be a case that there was “no bell on his bicycle.”
Judge Kelly added that the laws is there and it was not for Mr Gallagher to criticise the court or the National Transport Authority for doing their job.
Judge Kelly ordered Mr Doherty of 43 Cornfield Lane, Newtowncunningham to pay €200 in costs.