During his tenure Pope Sixtus IV authorized the re-establishment of the unsuccessful University of Dublin, but the plan was never carried out.
In 1474 he failed to impose his will on the Dean and Chapter of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, and was reprimanded by King Edward IV for making the attempt.
He was completely unable to control Sir James Keating, the violent and turbulent Prior of the Order of Knights Hospitallers at Kilmainham.
Despite repeated orders from both Walton and Octavian De Spinellis, the Archbishop of Armagh, Keating refused to release Lumley, who died in prison.
[2] Keating himself was eventually removed from office in 1490 for his treason in supporting the claim of the pretender Lambert Simnel, and died soon after.