Safety is one of the most pressing concerns for Irish taxi drivers, according to a new report published by the Free Now taxi app.
It found that while the National Transport Authority (NTA) reports strong growth in driver numbers, many drivers are avoiding late-night shifts due to escalating safety concerns.
A Co. Cavan taxi driver said that when he works at night he gets a lot of abuse.
Patrick Coyle, said that passengers who are drunk often get sick, and sometimes refuse to pay.
Speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show this morning, he described what it is like for taxi drivers working late at the weekends.
Mr. Coyle said: "In the last month, I had a person refusing to pay his fare, which is against the law, under Section 8 of the Criminal Act. He was getting a service, he knows he has to pay for that service. When I went to the Garda Station it was of no help.
"I'd people got sick on the back of my head. I have to go straight home, and that's my night's work finished. You have to get into the shower, destroy your clothes. The car has to be clean, so you can't go back out with that car that night," he added.
