Ireland: Gay man found guilty of attacking taxi driver

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A gay beauty salon worker who beat a Dublin taxi driver, claiming he had made an offensive remark, has been found guilty of assault.

Sean Miller, 29, attacked Cathal Hawkes, 70, causing over €1,500 (£1,210) damage to his taxi in December 2011.

Mr Miller and his partner, Niall Byrne, were holding hands in the back of the cab after returning from a nightclub when the taxi driver allegedly made an offensive remark.

At which point, Mr Byrne opened the door while the car was moving and got out.

The accused, Mr Miller, then threw a €5 (£4) note into the cab, kicked the front passenger door, jumped across the bonnet and flattened the BMW’s sign before punching the driver’s window and door.

The victim, Mr Hawkes, fell to the ground bleeding heavily and Mr Miller walked away.

Dublin District Court heard neither Mr Miller nor his partner could elaborate on their claim of an alleged offensive remark which they said prompted the incident.

According to the Irish Herald, the pair had each downed between six and eight vodkas at a nightclub earlier.

The victim denied making any derogatory comments and Judge Catherine Murphy said she found Mr Miller’s evidence “lacking in credibility”.

Judge Murphy adjourned the case for a week for sentencing at a later date.

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