Mass for hunger-striking taxi driver

Hundreds of Dublin taxi drivers suspended work for three hours yesterday to attend a Mass for a colleague who is on the 30th day of a hunger strike.

Mr Don Flanagan (61), who attended the service in a wheelchair, is protesting against the refusal of the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs to grant him an invalidity pension.

Mr Flanagan suffered a stroke in November, on the day the Government announced the deregulation of Dublin's taxi service. He was hospitalised for three months but did not qualify for either disability benefit or invalidity pension because he lacked the required PRSI contributions.

The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, discussed his case by telephone with the National Taxi Drivers Union yesterday. The union said he had made a number of suggestions about resolving the situation.

A spokeswoman for the Minister said Mr Ahern was in continuing contact with the union in an effort to persuade Mr Flanagan to give up his hunger strike. She said one of the options would be for Mrs Flanagan to claim carer's allowance, although this would require her to give up work.