Taxi check operation uncover bald tyres and missing safety gear in Dublin
- Perry Richardson
- 10 hours ago
- 2 min read
An Garda Síochána and Ireland’s National Transport Authority have issued multiple fixed charge penalty notices following a targeted taxi checkpoint in south Dublin that identified vehicle safety non-compliance among licensed operators.
The checkpoint was carried out on Bank Holiday Monday by the Dublin Metropolitan Region South Roads Policing Unit, supported by the Terenure Detective Unit and an NTA small public service vehicle inspector. The operation took place in the Rathmines area and formed part of wider roadside enforcement activity involving private motorists and commercial vehicles.
According to Gardaí, a total of 35 taxis were stopped and inspected during the checkpoint. Of those vehicles, five were found to be in breach of regulatory or road safety requirements.
Two taxis were found not to be carrying the required fire extinguishers, which are a mandatory safety item for licensed taxis under Irish SPSV regulations. A further three vehicles were operating with tyres below the legal minimum tread depth of 1.6mm.
Joint operation in Rathmines finds safety breaches among licensed taxis, with tyre wear and missing fire extinguishers identified
Fixed charge penalty notices were issued in each case. Gardaí did not confirm whether any vehicles were prohibited from continuing their journeys, but noted that enforcement action was taken at the roadside.
The Garda Roads Policing Unit highlighted tyre condition as a particular concern, stating that tyres are a vehicle’s sole point of contact with the road surface and play a critical role in braking performance and overall safety, particularly in wet conditions.
The checkpoint reflects continued joint enforcement between An Garda Síochána and the National Transport Authority, as regulators seek to ensure compliance within the taxi and small public service vehicle sector.
Taxi operators in Ireland are subject to regular roadside inspections in addition to annual vehicle suitability tests.
