Gardaí and taxi drivers join forces for relaunch of Kilkenny Taxi Watch

Gardaí have relaunched the Garda Taxi Text Alert scheme,  an initiative whereby gardaí continue to collaborative with taxi drivers across Kilkenny using the Garda Taxi Text Alert scheme.

Kilkenny County Council is funding this crime prevention tool which aims to get real-time information out to the 150 taxi drivers who are signed up on the scheme, with more drivers expected to be added in the coming weeks.

Superintendent Sean O’Meara acknowledged the excellent working relationship between the taxi drivers throughout Kilkenny and An Garda Síochána.

“This scheme continues to assist gardaí to more effectively communicate with local taxi drivers for example in regards to appeals for persons and vehicles suspect to be involved in crime which can be circulated in real time”.

"Our taxi community are servicing the community and are out and about 24/7. This initiative will get useful information out to taxi drivers quickly and effectively.  Taxi drivers can be made aware of matters that may be of interest to them such as for example poor road conditions, severe weather events, road closures etc”.

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Inspector Barry Smith continues to liaise with local taxi community. The inspector thanked the taxi drivers for their valued assistance with Garda Taxi Text Alert since the inception of the scheme in 2021.

“Our taxi community assist with bringing visitors in and out of the City and around the County. They service the City, and at weekends are part of our Operation CitySafe initiative taking patrons home safely from City Centre venues and help reduce volumes of people in the City. They assist us in preventing and detecting crimes. I would also like to thank Kilkenny County Council for their continued support of the Kilkenny Garda Taxi Text Alert and crime prevention initiative”.

Councillor Mary Hilda Cavanagh, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Ms Maria O'Shea, Community Safety Coordinator, Kilkenny County Council, Ms Margo Hayes, Senior Executive Officer, Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Eugene McGuinness and Martin Butler senior and junior were also present for the launch.