Gardai are investigating an attack on a city taxi driver

The incident happened between 3.30am and 4am yesterday, after the taxi driver picked up a man and a woman in the city at around 3am.

The taxi initially stopped in Patrickswell, but travelled on to Croagh, where it is understood the couple directed the driver down the road towards the GAA pitch.

There, they attempted to overpower him and produced a knife. The man, who is in his 40s and is Limerick city, sustained a number of superficial stab wounds to his lower body, chest and head, and his wrist was also broken in the incident.

The navy 97-D registered Mercedes car was stolen by the passengers, while the injured party was left on the side of the road after the attack.

It was recovered in North Cork on Tuesday afternoon and has been forensically examined by gardai.

The taxi driver is being treated for his injuries at the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle but his condition has been described as "not life threatening."

A member of the Limerick Taxi Drivers Association said he believes the injured party was initially called to pick up two people at a house on the Hyde Road in the city, but they were not at the property when the driver arrived.

It is understood he picked up two passengers after leaving that address.

Philip Hayes, head of the Limerick Taxi Drivers Association, is advising taxi drivers to exercise caution when picking up passengers late at night or in the early hours of the morning.

"I haven't come across anything as serious as this before. You would have occasions where you have to act in a situation. My advice is to be careful as to who you pick up.

"You won't get it right all the time but it just shows you the danger out there at night for taxi drivers. Hopefully the gardai will get a good response and these people will be brought to justice," said Mr Hayes.

Gardai believe the passengers are in their early 20s, but a description of both individuals has not been provided and at present there is no indication of whether they are both from Limerick.

"All avenues of investigation are open at present," said a garda at Askeaton garda station, who are investigating the incident.