At this time of year there is a race meeting at Ballybritt its the Galway races, 2 taxi drivers headed off hoping to bankrupt the bookies.
You might almost predict that their wishes did not come true and they were heading off home stone broke.
Thre was a cheerful young lad thumbing a lift and he was delighted when he found that they were going all the way to Dublin. Its Crumlin for me as he settled in.
The conversation was mighty and he told them of all the races he had been to this one was the best ever.He hoped that their luck would be better next year.
This was before the modern roads and there was a bit of a traffic jam in Kilbeggan. There in front of them was a Garda and he stopped them.
"The reason I asm stopping you is that you have only one headlight and your tax disc is 3 months out of date, you have a bald tyre and a rear light not working.Give me your license. This is 6 months out of date as well"
So he took out his note book and wrote down all the details, he told them to drive on when the passenger got out and walked up to the Garda.
These are fine men they are giving me a lift and they are coming home from the races,
be easy on them and they will fix everything in the morning. No No said the Garda and the young lad started patting him on the back and on the chest, No I have to do my job said the Garda. With that the young lad jumped back into the car and started to direct them on a short cut back to Crumlin, sure across country through Clane and they landed in Crumlin. Pull over here on the left lads, turn off the engine for a minute and we will say goodnight.
The reason I did so well at the races is not that I picked winners, I am a pickpocket. Here I have both your wallets and I also have your wristwatch.
Now don't worry about that old Garda he will do nothing, because I took his note book.
It was a wonderful challenge for me as he had a button on the pocket.
Now there is a story you can tell if you ever get back into the pub