Former President of the Irish Taxi Council and spokesman for Taxi Drivers for Change Frank Byrne has pleaded guilty to failing to have a valid taxi driver's licence.
The Dublin District Court heard that on 2 February 2011 Mr Byrne was found driving a taxi without a valid licence at Dublin Airport.
The licence had expired nine months previous on 18 May 2010.
Council for Mr Byrne said his failure to renew his licence was part of what she described as an 'ill-judged protest' in relation to his membership of Taxi Drivers for Change.
She said the group was trying to highlight the difficulties facing drivers in the industry and they had recently met with the Minister for Transport to discuss their concerns.
Council for Mr Byrne said he had two children who were at university and asked the judge to take this into consideration.
Judge Olann Kelleher said Mr Byrne knew exactly what he was doing.
He said defendants could not come into court with clean hands when they had disobeyed the law.
The judge imposed a fine of €200 and €500 in costs.
