A taxi driver was assaulted and his car was stolen in the latest carjacking to take place in Dublin.

Gardaí have launched an investigation into the attack, which happened in Phibsboro yesterday morning.

The Nigerian driver was assaulted after he asked one of the two passengers to put his seatbelt on after they flagged down the taxi at Hanlon's Corner at around 7am yesterday morning.

The men threatened him telling him his car would be taken off him.

The passenger in front started punching him and the passenger in the back was trying to strangle him with his belt.

When one of the passengers produced a knife, the man managed to escape the vehicle and two delivery men called the gardaí.

The driver was taken to the Mater Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

This would bring to 15 the number of carjackings that have taken place so far this year.