‘Mother Teresa’ type sexually assaulted woman in Laois

An unlicensed taxi driver who painted himself as a ‘Mother Teresa’ type admitted sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman in his car.

John Parkinson, 68, of Trumera, Mountrath admitted sexually assaulting the 22-year-old woman in Laois on March 23 last year. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was operating an unlicensed taxi when he picked up the woman. 

He said the woman wanted to go to a house but the defendant pulled over all of a sudden and sexually assaulted her. 

She told Gardai: “He put his hand down below where I piss from.” 

She asked him what he was doing, but he didn’t answer, she told investigating gardai. 

“I told him to stop but he didn’t,” Sgt Kirby said the woman told gardai. 

She said the man then put his hand on her hand and then her chest but she took his hand away. 

“This lady felt uncomfortable when this was happening,” said Sgt Kirby. 

“This lady would be a vulnerable young woman,” he stated. 

Sgt Kirby said the man had no previous convictions. 

Judge Andrew Cody said he recalled the defendant being before the court for operating an unlicensed taxi service. 

“He told me that he was a bit like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, providing a service,” Judge Cody recalled. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client lived alone and was on a contributory pension. He said he would have been known in the area as someone who would provide a lift. He said the man would do it for the price of the diesel. 

“He cannot explain why he did this,” said Mr Meagher. 

Mr Meagher said “some kind of urge came over him” and he committed the offence which he estimated lasted for 20 seconds. He said the man apologised to the woman in the days after. 

“When he saw her in the street he actually pulled up the car and apologised,” Mr Meagher said. 

He described the incident as “appalling” and said there was no violence involved. 

“He is beyond sorry. He is beyond ashamed for what happened,” he said. 

Mr Meagher said his client had written a short letter of apology to the victim and had brought €1,000 to court.

He said his client acknowledges that the sum doesn’t represent adequate compensation. 

Judge Andrew Cody said he would require a victim impact statement in the case. 

Although the case was heard in-camera, Judge Cody said the reporting restrictions would only apply to the victim in the case meaning nothing can be reported that might identify her.  

He described the incident as “a complete breach of trust” and adjourned the case to November 23 for a victim impact statement.