Garda in Dublin are investigating three separate attacks on taxi-drivers in the city's Liberties area at the weekend. All are believed to have involved the same man, and each occurred at John Dillon Street in the south inner city.
The first incident was at 3 p.m. on Friday when a man got into a taxi at the Sackville Street rank and asked to be taken to Thomas Street.
Near there he asked the driver to stop at John Dillon Street, where he grabbed the driver around the neck and demanded cash. A struggle followed in which the driver was bitten on the hand. A small amount of cash was taken and the culprit ran off towards Thomas Street.
The second incident occurred at midnight when a taxi was hailed at High Street by a man who again asked to be taken to John Dillon Street, where he produced a knife and demanded cash. In the struggle, the driver was cut on the hand and then forced from the car, which was driven away by the attacker. It was later found in Rueben Street, near Fatima Mansions.
The third incident happened at 3 a.m. when a man hailed a taxi at Strand Road, and was taken to John Dillon Street, where he put a rope around the driver's neck and again demanded cash. This time the driver managed to break free and the assailant ran off.
The culprit in each case is described as 30 years of age, between 5'8" and 5'10" in height, with short black hair, a Dublin accent and a dark tracksuit. Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí at Kevin Street at 01-6669400 or any Garda station.