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'Evil and dangerous' taxi driver loses appeal against abuse conviction

Summary

John Walker, a taxi driver described by his adopted daughter Jennifer Kelly as an "evil and dangerous man", was convicted in December 2019 of 40 counts of indecently and sexually assaulting her over a ten‑year period from 1990 to 2000. Kelly, who was aged between eight and 18 during the offences, waived her right to anonymity and testified that Walker abused her at his home and at a former residence in Kilmashogue Grove, Greenpark, Dublin 12. Walker pleaded not guilty and later appealed, arguing that missing evidence from two witnesses and procedural errors by the trial judge had denied him a fair trial. His counsel claimed the judge failed to give the jury a directed acquittal, a delay warning, a re‑charge, and a corroboration warning. The Court of Appeal, in a judgment by Mr Justice John Edwards, dismissed all grounds of appeal, stating the trial was satisfactory and the verdict safe.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Evil and dangerous' taxi driver loses appeal against abuse conviction. Charges or matters: indecently and sexually assaulting. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• June 1990 Other
• April 2000 Other
• December 2019 Other
• 1990 and 2000 Other
• 2021-10-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report