**EXCLUSIVE** We Speak To Taxi Driver Who Was Verbally Abused in Viral Video

A taxi driver from Pakistan, known as Atti, has become a viral sensation after a video surfaced showing him being verbally abused by an Irish passenger over a 60-cent fare discrepancy on a Sunday. The incident, which occurred at 10 p.m. in North County Dublin, escalated when the passenger—later revealed to be another active taxi driver—shouted racist slurs, including 'Pakistani bastard,' while physically threatening Atti. Despite the extreme aggression, Atti remained calm, recorded the encounter, and reported the man to the Gardaí. The episode, hosted by Adrian and Jeremy on *Opinions Matter*, features an exclusive interview with Atti, who reveals he’s been a taxi driver for just 18 months and is a father of two. He attributes the abuse to a mix of personal crisis, possible intoxication, and professional resentment from older Dublin taxi drivers toward foreign drivers. The video, shared via a private taxi group, went viral on Facebook, drawing hundreds of thousands of views and overwhelming public support—99.9% of comments backed Atti. In a powerful gesture, listeners raised €26 to cover the disputed fare, not for financial gain but as a symbolic act of solidarity. The episode ends on a hopeful note when Atti recounts being comforted by a kind elderly passenger who apologized and tipped him generously, restoring his faith in humanity.