Courts / Dublin / Report
"Evil" taxi driver (84) jailed for sexually abusing adopted daughter
Summary
An 84‑year‑old taxi driver, John Walker, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment for sexually abusing his adopted daughter, Jennifer Kelly, over a ten‑year period from 1990 to 2000. The jury found him guilty on 40 counts of indecent assault and sexual assault, with the abuse occurring at his home in The Cova, Whitehall Road, Perrystown, Dublin, and at a former address in Kilmasogue Grove, Greenpark. Walker denied the allegations and claimed no prior convictions. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the pre‑meditated, planned nature of the abuse, the victim's age and vulnerability, and Walker's lack of remorse. The court considered his age, health conditions and past community contributions before imposing the sentence. The abuse involved repeated kissing and fondling, verbal threats, and control tactics, culminating when Kelly disclosed the abuse to Gardaí in 2018. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The unnamed 84-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Evil" taxi driver (84) jailed for sexually abusing adopted daughter. Charges or matters: indecently and sexually assaulting his daughter at his home address and their previous home address at Kilmasogue Grove, Greenpark between June 1990 and April 2000. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- June 1990 Other
- April 2000 Other
- February 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1990 and 2000 Other
- 2019-12-11 Publication
Why: When Walker asked her if she liked it, the little girl said yes because she didn't want to upset him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: indecently and sexually assaulting his daughter at his home address and their previous home address at Kilmasogue Grove, Greenpark between June 1990 and April 2000 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; By Isabel Hayes and Sonya McLean An 84-year-old taxi driver who sexually abused his adopted daughter over a ten-year period has been jailed for three and half years.
Places mentioned
Topics
Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Taxi Trouble Violent Crime
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