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Published Date: 18 April 2007
Source: Ballymena Times
Location: Ballymena
Cabbie denies taxi-terror claims
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THE taxi driver accused of delivering two Catholic passengers into a waiting loyalist mob in Harryville on Easter Saturday night, has completely refuted the claims, and says he is now fearful of a revenge attack.
Indeed, the sensational story which appeared in daily newspapers and local radio last week, has not been confirmed by police in Ballymena, who say that a formal complaint has still not been made. However, a PSNI spokesman did confirm that one of the alleged victims, Mr Barry McGill called the police on the same night, claiming that he had found a dead body in Harryville. Police officers carried out a detailed search but no body was found.
The taxi-driver who has resigned from his job in fear of reprisals, believes he has become the 'real victim'.
Wishing to remain anonymous, the taxi driver said: "I went voluntarily to the police, and told them exactly what happened. They did not charge me with anything. These boys didn't even book a taxi, they just jumped in. They wanted me to take them to Antrim, but they were not going to pay up front so I let them off at Ken's Car Park.
"There was no mob waiting there, and sure there is CCTV there anyway. I had to quit my job, because I am now to afraid that someone will try to attack me or the car.
Last week, Barry McGill told the Times : "We were out on Saturday night and we decided to get a taxi back to Dunclug. We got into a taxi on William Street, and the taxi driver told us that he needed to head back to the office for a message. We thought nothing of it.
"The next thing we realised we were in Harryville, and then he pulled into Ken's car park. He jumped out the car and shouted 'there's two fenians in the car'. We jumped out of the car and ran. A couple of boys got a hold of me and there was bit of fighting, but I managed to get away. My mate got a bit of a digging. I ran and hid for about half an hour, until they stopped looking for me."
Mr McGill also said that he would be making a formal complaint to the police, but at the time of going to press, the police say that they have still not received a formal complaint about the alleged attack. Police further revealed that Mr McGill was himself arrested for breach of bail conditions, on Easter Saturday night.
It is understood that the taxi firm involved have already received a number of threatening calls to their office.
Last Updated: 17 April 2007