Kilkenny judge reverses licence refusal for taxi driver with careless driving convictions

A man who was refused a taxi licence by gardaí has won his appeal against the ruling at Kilkenny District Court.

The application for a PSV (public service vehicle) licence was denied by Chief Superintendent Anthony Pettit, who appeared in court to give evidence in the appeal.

Imtiaz Ahmed, Green Street, Callan, appealed this decision in court.

Chief Superintendent Pettit said he had received the application for the PSV licence in March of this year.
Mr Ahmed had previously held a PSV licence from 2015 to 2019.

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The Chief Superintendent said he was made aware that in December 2016 Mr Ahmed had been convicted in relation to a dangerous driving matter. This had been reduced to a conviction for careless driving, on appeal to the circuit court in 2017. Mr Ahmed had received a fine and driving disqualification.

Chief Superintendent Pettit said he was further made aware that in December 2020 Mr Ahmed was convicted of careless driving by Clonmel Circuit Court. He had received a fine and driving disqualification.

The senior garda said he was informed that after these convictions Mr Ahmed had failed to notify the Carriage Office, as is in the taxi regulations.

In October 2021 Mr Ahmed was convicted of a speeding offence on the motorway, by Kilkenny District Court, the Chief Superintendent said.

Judge John O’Leary asked if any of these incidents occurred when Mr Ahmed was driving as a taxi driver.
Chief Superintendent Pettit said only the first careless driving incident.

Following the receipt of the application for a PSV licence, this year, Chief Superintendent Pettit offered Mr Ahmed an opportunity to attend his office. They met on April 7 last.
The Chief Superintendent told Mr Ahmed he had to be satisfied that a PSV licence holder is a ‘suitable person.’

Mr Ahmed was open and admitted the convictions. He told the senior garda that he had worked to improve his driving and had gone to a driving instructor. If granted the PSV licence he would be driving a Prius.

Mr Ahmed also informed Chief Superintendent Pettit that he had looked into the matter and expected to pay €3,500 taxi insurance.
He said he had not notified the Carriage Office of his convictions because someone had told him it would happen automatically.

Chief Superintendent Pettit said that when making his decision on the PSV licence he took into consideration Mr Ahmed’s family circumstances and his right to earn a living. He decided to refuse the application.

On April 10 a letter conveying this was sent to Mr Ahmed and he was also informed of the appeal method.
Solicitor Alex Rafter put to the Chief Superintendent that the main concern was the previous convictions and that otherwise Mr Ahmed was of good character.

Chief Superintendent Pettit agreed. He added that it was not just the matter of one previous conviction, but all of them. Click NEXT to continue reading Mr Ahmed's testimony and the judge's ruling in the matter.