Ireland Case No. 5964Indecent assault of children · Co. Clare
Former scout leader, 80, jailed for molesting five boys
Jim Harmon, 80, of Pinewood, Shannon, Co Clare, a former scout leader, indecently assaulted five boys between 1976 and 1981 at Cratloe, Holy Island, Garryowen and the Ennis Road. Gardaí were not informed of the abuse at the time, and during their investigation they took 80 witness statements. Harmon pleaded guilty, and in 2017 he had received a previous conviction for indecent assault of a young scout in 1976. Reports dated 1 May 2024 say he was sentenced at Ennis Circuit Court to six years and eight months in prison, which is 16 months for each of the five boys.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced1 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Jim Harmon, a former scout leader, indecently assaulted five boys between 1976 and 1981.
- One victim said Harmon molested him when he was 9 or 10 on a scouting trip to Holy Island.
- Where
- The assaults took place at Cratloe in southeast Clare, Holy Island on Lough Derg, Garryowen and the Ennis Road in Limerick.
- When
- Harmon was aged 33 to 38 during the period of the offences.
- Investigation
- Gardaí were not informed of the abuse at the time.
- Gardaí took 80 witness statements during the investigation.
- Other details
- The five complainants are now men in their 50s.
- Harmon had one previous conviction, from 2017, for indecent assault of a young boy scout in 1976.
- Scouting authorities dismissed Harmon from his senior scouting role in 1982.
- The victim count is given as four people in the case facts but as five boys in the articles.
- Charges
- Harmon pleaded guilty.
- In court
- The sentence was imposed at Ennis Circuit Court by Judge Francis Comerford.
- Sentence
- Harmon was jailed for six years and eight months.
- A 16-month prison term was imposed for each of the five boys he indecently assaulted.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe indecently assaulted five boys between 1976 and 1981. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOne victim said Harmon molested him when he was 9 or 10 on a scouting trip to Holy Island. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe assaults took place at Cratloe, Holy Island, Garryowen and the Ennis Road. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí took 80 witness statements during the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí were not informed of the abuse at the time. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHarmon pleaded guilty. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentence was imposed at Ennis Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe former scout leader was jailed for six years and eight months. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA 16-month prison term was imposed for each of the five boys he indecently assaulted. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHarmon was aged 33 to 38 during the offences. (irishtimes.com)
- otherHarmon had one previous conviction, from 2017, for indecent assault of a young boy scout in 1976. (irishtimes.com)
- otherScouting authorities dismissed Harmon from his senior scouting role in 1982. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe five complainants are now men in their 50s. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 1 May2024‘Prolific paedophile’ scout leader (80) jailed for molesting five boys over six-year period
Reports the sentencing of Jim Harmon, with background on prior conviction, the Garda investigation and the victims' statements.
convicted, Jim Harmon, 80, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jim Harmonvictim, Ruairi Hickey, 54, male, irish (judged from name)Ruairi Hickeyvictim, 50s, malevictim, 50s, malevictim, 50s, malevictim, 50s, male