THOMAS HARMAN SENTENCED IN DUBLIN FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

In March 2010, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Thomas Harman, a 73-year-old man from Abbey Grove, Navan, Co. Meath, to four years in prison for sexually abusing young girls in his Dublin neighborhood over nearly two decades. Judge Patricia Ryan stated that the lengthy duration of the offenses and Harman’s position of trust justified a custodial sentence, adding that he would also be placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.

Harman admitted to multiple charges, including eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault, involving three sisters and a fourth girl, with incidents dating from 1975 to 1993. The victims, who were initially between five and eight years old, were exploited during neighborhood games of hide and seek, driving lessons, or visits to Harman’s home. He also used one child's fondness for dogs to create opportunities to abuse her during walks.

The eldest victim, now 42, testified about the long-lasting effects of the abuse, recounting how she scrubbed her skin raw with Dettol at age 12 and turned to self-harm to cope. She expressed her guilt over not speaking out sooner and her pain upon discovering Harman had abused her younger sisters. "Abuse is not like a broken leg or arm and takes a lifetime to heal," she told Harman, "I will never forgive you for causing so much pain in my life."

Her 30-year-old sister described how Harman robbed her of her innocence at age five and how she used to pray she wouldn't have to go outside to play. She recalled little of her teenage years, turning instead to drugs because of the pain and hurt.

The youngest sister, aged 25, recounted feelings of shame and dirtiness following the abuse, which led her to start abusing solvents at a young age to escape her emotions. She acknowledged Harman’s guilty plea but lamented that she could not have a second childhood.

Another complainant, now 39, shared that she suffered from depression and had difficulties trusting others, having left the neighborhood as soon as she was old enough. She expressed guilt for not stopping the abuse.

Detective Garda Gabrielle Newton told the court that Harman had abused the girls in various locations, including his own home, Phoenix Park, and his parents’ house in Harolds Cross. He also participated in neighborhood games, abusing children while they hid, and exploited his trusted role during these times. Newton revealed Harman, who has no previous convictions, was arrested after the eldest girl made a statement to gardaí in 1999, denying the allegations.

Defense lawyer Mr. Sean Gillane acknowledged the seriousness and impact of the crimes but emphasized Harman’s current circumstances. He described Harman as a grandfather caring for his ill wife, managing the family home, and dealing with health issues like diabetes and asthma. Gillane noted that Harman's actions had irreparably damaged his reputation, describing him as now becoming a “pariah.”