Stop Speaking Irish says Glasgow cab driver to Donegal people
Standard
According to Glasgow’s Evening Standard, Donegal girl, Kathleen McAleer was in a taxi in Glasgow with a friend and two first cousins from Donegal. the cousins are Irish speakers and were talking in Irish Gaelic.
The taxi driver turned round and said suddenly ‘Stop speaking in that language’. Kathleen objected and said that was out of order to which the driver, from Hampden Cabs, said ‘When you are in Britain, it is English you speak. If they want to speak in that language they can get out of my taxi.’
Kathleen and friends got out and said they wouldn’t pay.
Complaint
What’s more they have made a formal complaint to Glasgow Council which is now investigating it. All cab companies and cab drivers have to be licensed. A council spokesman said “A complaint regarding an alleged racist incident has been received and will be investigated in the appropriate manner by the council’s taxi enforcement team.”
It seems the Evening Times contacted the cab company to ask about the incident. Paul Muir, at Hampden Cabs, said “I couldn’t imagine four people coming over from Donegal and going to a party in Britain and not being drunk” and then laughed
Investigations are carried out by the city council’s enforcement team with any findings passed on to the committee for a hearing, should one be deemed necessary.