Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 19030Sexual assault · Co. Laois

Laois man sentenced over sexual assault in illegal taxi

John Parkinson, 68, of Trumera, Mountrath, admitted sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in Laois in March 2022 while operating an illegal taxi service. The woman said that when he pulled over in his car, he put his hand between her legs and then on her chest, and that the assault lasted around five minutes. At Portlaoise District Court on 24 November 2023, Garda Elaine Condon read a victim impact statement, and Parkinson received a six-month sentence suspended for two years, a €1,000 fine and an order to pay the victim €5,000 in compensation by January 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • John Parkinson, 68, of Trumera, Mountrath, admitted sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in Laois.
  • The woman was in Parkinson's car when he suddenly pulled over, put his hand between her legs and then on her chest.
  • The victim said the assault lasted around five minutes.
When
The assault happened in March 2022, on a date not specified.
Other details
  • The assault happened while Parkinson was operating an illegal taxi service.
  • The victim said she was scared and did not tell anyone until a week later.
  • The defence said Parkinson had no previous convictions, while the judge said he had a previous conviction for operating an illegal taxi service.
  • Reporting restrictions on identifying the defendant were lifted.
In court
  • The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court.
  • Garda Elaine Condon read a victim impact statement compiled by the victim.
Sentence
  • Parkinson received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years.
  • Parkinson was fined €1,000.
  • Parkinson was ordered to pay the victim €5,000 in compensation by January 2025.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatJohn Parkinson admitted sexually assaulting a woman in Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe woman was in the car with Parkinson when he pulled over and put his hand between her legs and then on her chest. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe victim said the assault lasted around five minutes. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened in March of the previous year, on a date not specified. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtA garda read a victim impact statement compiled by the victim. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceParkinson received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceParkinson was fined €1,000. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceParkinson was ordered to pay the victim €5,000 in compensation by January 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe assault happened while Parkinson was operating an illegal taxi service. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said Parkinson had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Parkinson had a previous conviction for operating an illegal taxi service. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherReporting restrictions on identifying the defendant were lifted. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Nov2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois Judge brands 'dirty old man' a 'beast' over sex assault in illegal taxi

    Reports the sentencing of John Parkinson at Portlaoise District Court, including the suspended sentence, fine and compensation order.

    convicted, John Parkinson, 68, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Parkinsonvictim, 20s, female