Donegal’s NYC cabby recommends ‘if you're committing a crime, do it on the subway’

Cabby John McDonagh has acclaimed internet fame again - this time, on the city’s famous subway. 

The New Yorker’s recent adventures feature on a TikTok series “Subway Takes” where he voices his support for crime on the subway to Kareem Rahma, who presents the show. 

Heavily connected to Donegal, John is an intricate part of the Donegal Association in New York and he visits south Donegal twice or three times a year. His mother Cassie John (neé Monaghan) is from Pettigo and his father Josie is a native of Aghayarn, west Tyrone.

So does John really think that crime on the subway should be supported? Of course, he doesn’t but, in his comedic way, he’s always looking for a way to encourage people to take a cab instead!

The new series focuses on Rahma interviewing people on the subway. John’s episode, which has already been viewed 1.8 million times in just four days, shares his controversial take - that crime on the subway is good, as it benefits cab drivers. 

“I love it,” John tells DonegalLive from New York of his lofty online status.  “I have been doing comedy for years but this is the best thing I have ever done.

“It was the first time Kareem had heard my take. He was so surprised. You could say it either spiralled uphill or downhill from there! I am just glad by the comment section that people got the sarcasm and the comedy.”

John describes the rise in crime as “a golden era in New York City” and the fact he’s “making money on the fares” with people less willing to use the subway. 

“If you’re going to commit a crime, do it on the subway,” John says, half tongue-in-cheek, although also in reference to the situation as he sees it. “This is New York, somebody's gotta win, somebody's gotta lose.” 

Rahma appreciates the take but responds: “I’m going to have to respectfully disagree but I’m glad you’re getting the bag, lining your pockets.”

“I thought they may not air it as it was so over the top,” John continues. “But the day it dropped Kareem said to me this is going to go viral, and he was right.”

@subwaytakes Episode 148: CRIME ON THE SUBWAY IS GOOD feat @BQE 2 QED Hosted by @KAREEM RAHMA Shot by @Anthony DiMieri @Willem Holzer Edited by Tyler Christie Production coordinator @Ramy #nyc #newyorkcity #podcast #subway #hottakes #interview #ericadams #crime ♬ original sound - Subway Takes

This is not the yellow cab driver's first time being an internet sensation, nor is it his first time meeting the famous TikToker, Kareem Rahma. 

The taxi man previously went viral when he was featured on Rahma’s “Keep The Meter Running” discussing what it is like to be a yellow cab driver in the Big Apple, which now has four million views. 

From Middlevillage, an Italian neighbourhood in Queens, John has driven a yellow cab for over 40 years. 

He has shared his thoughts with passengers in the cab, on stage and on the airwaves. He even has a show, “Off the Meter”  in which he recounts his years behind the wheel, which he previously performed in The Abbey Arts Centre, Ballyshannon. 

John presents on WBAI - a left-wing non-commercial, listener-supported radio station based out of Brooklyn alongside Frank McCourt’s (Angela’s Ashes) brother, Malachy.

This is certainly not the last collaboration we will see from Rahma and John, so stay tuned!