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Gardaí and Revenue in crackdown on Dublin rickshaws

A joint operation between Gardaí and Revenue officials yesterday evening was inspecting the vehicles.

GARDAI WERE LAST night conducting inspections on rickshaw drivers in Dublin city.

The operation was based around the Pearse Street area and looked at a number of issues with the vehicles.

The identities of the drivers, the road-worthiness of their vehicles and general public safety issues were considered.

In total more than 100 examinations of rickshaws and horse-drawn carriages were carried out.

The inspections were conducted jointly with with the Revenue.

Earlier this year there were calls from Dublin City Council for the sector to be better regulated.

The issues was raised by TD Derek Keating who said that the vehicles were, “being driven often overloaded, with no regard for road traffic legislation”.

Galway city councillors have already voted for a ban on the vehicles.

Read: Council wants to crack down on rickshaws speeding around Dublin city

Also: Rickshaw driver attempts to charge family €290 for 10-minute ride

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67 Comments
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    Mute Brian O'Donnell
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:37 AM

    What do rickshaw drivers dream about? Two skinny girls with big tips!

    793
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    Mute David McShite
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:23 AM

    Horse and carts operating around Guinness are a scourge. Driven dangerously by seriously dodgy people with zero regard for law or safety.

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    Mute Keith Gregg
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    Aug 15th 2015, 11:49 AM

    horses actually have right of way. they can even, legally go the wrong way up a one way Street. it’s one of those statute laws cos horses were the first primary Road users

    154
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    Mute John Clarke
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:06 PM

    I’ve seen rickshaws flying down Grafton Street being pulled by one of the passengers, clearly absolutely locked, with the driver sitting inside the rickshaw. Many of the rickshaws themselves are owned by private investors who get serious advertising revenue off them and then get teenagers to operate them. They shouldn’t be allowed in pedestrianised zones.

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    Mute verbal kint
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:17 PM

    Your not wrong david. used to work near there. everyone in that area knows it’s dodgy. those young fellas shouldn’t be allowed to pick up tourists and put them in danger the way they do.

    103
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    Mute mr magoo
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:59 AM

    Hah revenue checking the rickshaw drivers while the real tax dodgers are playiing golf together and laughing at how easy it is to scam the Irish. Look over there at all those billionaire rickshaw drivers ! What about those terrorist kidnapping water protesters, lets cause a big fuss about that so we can get away with sone more dodgy deals while they aren’t looking. Keep them distracted with nonsense while the big boys run the show for their own benefit. Same ol same ol

    327
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:25 AM

    Your comparison is nonsense, Sulky karts are different, you can see footage on Internet of gardai trying to apprehend them. If sulky karts were flying around dublin on Saturday nights bringing people around then revenue could do something similar…

    100
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    Mute Ray Farrelly
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:26 AM

    Mr magoo do you think they should be insured?

    29
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    Mute John O Neill
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:48 AM

    about time!

    289
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    Mute Ray Farrelly
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:51 AM

    Are they insured??

    263
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:58 AM

    no they are not, the papers reported months ago on this and all the offences they commit, plus some of the drivers were found to be criminals.. Any person who brings drunk people around or home as a job should be vetted and registered

    418
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    Mute John Rabbett
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:16 AM

    That’s hell of a lot of vetting, Taxis, Luas, Buses, Rickshaws, Trains, Darts…

    62
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    Mute richard fennessy
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:18 AM

    John all u listed r vetted

    236
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:21 AM

    Yes john, as a requirement all those get vetted, except rickshaws…. why should they be exempt?

    234
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:53 AM

    John, r s u y?

    10
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:54 AM

    Richard, y u s r. u o p g?

    14
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    Mute Jess Foley
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    Aug 15th 2015, 10:49 AM

    no….they have no insurance whatsoevet

    58
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    Mute fitzer
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    Aug 15th 2015, 11:27 AM

    What makes you think taxi drivers are vetted, I’ve tried to find out that information myself to no avail, you cannot find out if a individual taxi driver is vetted , why all the secrecy,

    28
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    Mute John Clarke
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:02 PM

    Taxi drivers must hold a PSV (Public Service Vehicle) licence. As part of the process to get same, they are vetted by the Gardaí. They are also monitored and vetted by the Taxi Regulator and must be licensed by the regulator. They are required to display their licence and their personal identification, if they have these items you can take it they have been vetted. If you wish to check a particular driver simply get the app on your smart phone, enter the licence or badge number of the driver and it’ll confirm details and give you a photo of the driver. There are some issues with PSV licence holders whereby some have historic conviction records and got their licence but I think in recent years that has been cleaned up.

    Transport for Ireland, Driver Check app

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    Mute Fred Coloe
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:26 PM

    John…rickshaw drivers are the only ones NOT vetted.

    44
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    Mute Fred Coloe
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:29 PM

    Fitzer…download the driver check app onto your phone. Then…either type in the roofsign number or scan the barcode on the front/rear window of the taxi. That will tell you in seconds whether the driver is legit or not. Also…if the driver id is not visible DONT get in!!

    38
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    Mute Paul Matthews
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    Aug 15th 2015, 1:29 PM

    The Taxi Regulator is no more, all comes under the NTA now.

    10
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    Mute Jess Foley
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    Aug 15th 2015, 2:08 PM

    if u download driver check and put in either taxi reg or name on license u can see if the driver genuine. if he is then he has been vetted.

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    Mute fitzer
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    Aug 15th 2015, 3:10 PM

    I’ve made inquiries into how taxi drivers are vetted, just because a taxi driver holds a fully compliant psv license doesn’t prove that he or she was vetted, Minister Kelly himself stated that there are six thousand criminals driving taxis in Ireland, before he decided to take a promotion to collecting the water bills.

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    Mute Ray Farrelly
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    Aug 15th 2015, 4:13 PM

    Fitzer and how do you think he got that information?

    6
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    Mute JC
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:38 AM

    Complete waste of Garda resources. Pure revenue based inspection

    218
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    Mute Mark Ryan
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:56 AM

    and??

    116
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:56 AM

    Only the rich should have to pay taxes. A rich person is a person who has more money than I have.

    118
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    Mute Bill Madden
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    Aug 15th 2015, 10:23 AM

    I wonder IF anyone will mention the largest mass migration into Ireland since the plantation of Ulster 300 years ago, suppose not.

    Let’s instead worry about rickshaws and protest about IW

    Not a peep from our from our politicans on the elephant in the room that everyone’s can see but ignores!!!

    87
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    Mute Carina Clarke
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    Aug 15th 2015, 10:42 AM

    Don’t think you have stop for the revenue, just the guards, customs, lollipop person and the awl farmer driving animals. Probably why the guards were there

    35
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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Aug 15th 2015, 11:24 AM

    @bill… I’m confused. what are you on about?

    29
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:17 PM

    Bill is talking about plants, trees etc planted in in Ulster http://www.dardni.gov.uk/forestry

    16
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    Mute Kárl
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:43 AM

    The should be regulated. Particularly at night a lot of them their caution to the wind and disrespect road traffic regulation.

    210
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    Mute Eamonn O'Riain
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:41 AM

    I feel safer already.

    143
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    Mute John Campbell
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:38 AM

    I totally agree that rickshaws should be regulated, particularly for safety and to prevent possible fare rip offs.
    However, I am always amazed at how effective Revenue are in cracking down on anyone who might be earning an extra few Euro. News this morning that they are now going to be checking on our credit/ debit card accounts just in case we might be spending more than we earn.

    102
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    Mute Captain kirk
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:19 AM

    I think the world is a little safer today thanks to the fearless work of an Garda

    67
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    Mute Martin Hayes
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:21 AM

    Another “crackdown” one would think this would be a normal policing function. Lime everything else, give it a day or two and I’ll be back to anything goes.

    64
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    Mute Nicholas J Campbell
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    Aug 15th 2015, 11:55 AM

    They shouldn’t be on the streets. They’re like gangs now. Honestly fighting over territory. Also a bad attitude if you say no. To be honest I’m close to pulling the next f–ker out and smacking him around if they start shouting at my girlfriend again. Regulate it or f–k off. Everyone else has to get insurance and pay tax, why should they not. Especially in such a dangerous cart that’s by the most part home god damn made.

    61
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    Mute little jim
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    Aug 15th 2015, 10:12 AM

    Why is everyone after Rikshaw, the Shaws are lovely people.

    48
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    Mute M Bowe
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    Aug 15th 2015, 10:56 AM

    Yeah sure the tax dodgers only have €770 billion stashed of shore.
    Lets tackle tackle ricksaw drivers for compliance

    40
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    Mute Integra-Ted
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    Aug 15th 2015, 11:04 AM

    Well, it’s a case of “Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t” on the part of the authorities…

    Although this article shows no statistics on accidents involving rickshaws, it’s only a matter of time before a taxi or private car hits one and people die…

    37
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    Mute Damian Moran
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    Aug 15th 2015, 9:08 AM

    Glad to see Derek Keating keeping busy.

    36
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    Mute Paul Casey
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    Aug 15th 2015, 4:05 PM

    Derek Keating is working on many issues whilst his Dail colleagues are enjoying their summer holidays. Our country would be far better off if mire of our public representatives had Derek Keating’s attitude and zest.

    4
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    Mute monkeysocks
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    Aug 15th 2015, 10:47 AM

    How many comments have been removed here and why? Mine’s gone anyway. Is it because of mild rebukes of sulky drivers or the bullying of people on low incomes just trying to get a few extra quid? Journal moderators are as bad as the cops

    33
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    Mute jack frost
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:21 PM

    Of course taxi drivers are vetted. Some people on here make comments and really they know f all about subjects been discussed on here.

    31
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    Mute fitzer
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    Aug 15th 2015, 3:13 PM

    how can you prove all taxi drivers are vetted, put up a link,

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    Mute Science of beer
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    Aug 15th 2015, 10:35 AM

    PC brigade gone mad again

    20
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    Mute Bitter & Twisted
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    Aug 15th 2015, 11:09 AM

    Who’s vetting the vetter?

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    Mute Alan Warren
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    Aug 15th 2015, 11:31 AM

    About time

    16
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    Mute Philip
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    Aug 15th 2015, 4:29 PM

    500 consultants evaded tax worth €30 million during the week

    Spend more time going after white collar criminals would raise a lot more money

    15
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    Mute liam ward
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:03 PM

    Targeting the poor motorists again why don’t they target cyclists if there so worried about public safety cyclists are a nuseance to pedestrians and other rd users but I guess moterests are easy targets for the guards

    12
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    Mute Integra-Ted
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    Aug 15th 2015, 12:27 PM

    A case of not reading the article before commenting, since when have “Rickshaw drivers” been considered “Motorists?”

    Duuuhhhh! Back to bed!

    26
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    Mute Martin Hayes
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    Aug 15th 2015, 1:52 PM

    They did target cyclists a while back Liam. I remember it well, I was there for the entire five minutes.

    10
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    Mute Chris O'Cinnsealach
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    Aug 15th 2015, 1:06 PM

    The operation was based around the Pearse Street area, yet all the photos are of Grafton Street?

    10
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    Mute Martin Gallagher
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    Aug 15th 2015, 2:23 PM

    Maybe we should bring back the ould sedan chair? Ideal for touring Georgian Dublin, great comfort and twice the number of people employed than those feckin’ rickshaws!

    7
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    Mute Jimmy F
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    Aug 15th 2015, 2:14 PM

    Were the customs lads dipping for diesel?Gardai and the revenue don’t go out without each other these days !

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    Mute Patrick Brophy
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    Aug 16th 2015, 12:14 AM

    Have there been complaints over their conduct?

    If not, what exactly is cracking down on rickshaws going to prove?

    Essentially, a rickshaw is a tricycle with extra seating capacity and shelter for its passengers. Like their two wheel cousin’s (the bicycle), they shouldn’t be targeted for taxes. Before anyone says it, the tax which motorists pay is motor tax (which, in my opinion should be given the much wider used name of carbon tax) and is often mistakenly referred to as road tax.

    After all, aren’t rickshaws part of the whole sustainable travel movement given that they are essentially propelled by nothing more than the driv..erm…peddler/cyclist doing exercise?

    4
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    Mute Peter Gaffney
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    Aug 15th 2015, 3:10 PM

    Seen a load of them rickshaws scarpining up through rathmines last night without people on them, guessed something was wrong and let’s face it, there more of a problem than abit of craic. …….to many people been put at danger and vehicles been damaged. A note relating to insurance on horse & carriages and rickshaws NO insurance company will insure them so if you try to claim for injuries or damage and go to court it will be THROWN out FACT. They both unfortunately have more rights on the road than motorists.

    4
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    Mute Chris O'Cinnsealach
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    Aug 15th 2015, 1:11 PM

    Here’s a cool documentary about Rickshaws in Dublin.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgdZSXIwGB4

    3
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    Mute Byron Deithrick
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    Aug 15th 2015, 10:11 PM

    What was the Customs officers ( An Custáim)
    doing there ? Can any one tell me.

    Where they looking for Ivory headed machetes & illegal cigarettes, unpaid V.R.T on trikes, dipping for diesel?
    Surely the Revenue and G.N.I.B was all that’s needed.
    Although the Customs & Gardai have power to stop.
    Should be ran off the road no tax paid , no licence to pick up or ply for hire , no insurance for the people being carried .

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    Mute Seamus Corcoran
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    Aug 16th 2015, 5:17 AM

    Revenue=Customs. Same organisation.

    4
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    Mute Payton
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    Aug 15th 2015, 8:49 AM

    Good to see so many Garda on the streets in the city but for the wrong reasons, with the amount of low life’s roaming around it would be better to do some real policing instead of carrying out inspections like this.

    1
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    Mute Patrick Talbot
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    Aug 15th 2015, 4:11 PM

    I am not happy. Yrs. Ric O’Shea.

    1
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    Mute Kizzi Yeates
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    Aug 15th 2015, 6:28 PM

    Why?

    1
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