Clare retailer jailed for the sexual abuse of a boy in the 1980s
Gordon Deegan
A judge has jailed a Lisdoonvarna retailer for two years and seven months for the sexual abuse of a then-primary school boy in the 1980s.
At Ennis Circuit Court on Monday, Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 43-month prison term, suspending the final 12 months on company director, Noel Jordan (59) of Jordan's Mace, Main Street, Lisdoonvarna, for the ‘sustained’ indecent assaults on Seán Collins on dates over a six-year period between February 1980 to February 1986.
Collins was aged seven at the start of the offending in February 1980, and Jordan was aged 14.
The abuse continued until February 1986, when Collins was about to turn 13, and Jordan was 19.
The two lived on the same street in the north Clare town of Lisdoonvarna, and Judge Comerford said that Jordan had engaged in “serious offending” and “knew that he was doing wrong”.
Judge Comerford said that this is a case where the fact of imprisonment is the most decisive factor, rather than it being a lengthy sentence of imprisonment.
Judge Comerford said that in such cases, a perpetrator rightfully faces "social disgrace" when committing offences against a child.
At the sentencing hearing earlier this month, Jordan’s sister, Deirdre, gave character evidence on her brother’s behalf, commenting, “Noel is a very caring person and does everything for everyone else”.
She said: “We know Noel did wrong, but I mean, he was young at the time. It doesn’t excuse it, but it is a fact of it."
In sentencing Jordan, Judge Comerford commented that testimonials “are a source of controversy now”.
He said: “It is a difficult thing for people to come forward in cases of this nature and get into the witness box and speak up for an offender.
“All of the sympathies are rightfully with the injured party, and obviously that should be the case."
Judge Comerford said that testimonials in such a case “aren’t valueless”.
Judge Comerford said that he would impose a headline indication sentence of 52 months in prison on Jordan and reduced the sentence to 43 months with the final 12 months suspended, arising mainly from Jordan’s guilty plea and leading a ‘blameless’ life since the offending.
Judge Comerford said that in the case, Noel Jordan should be approached on the basis that he did not follow the offending with any further wrongful interaction with children.
Jordan had offered €20,000 as a token of his remorse to Seán Collins, and Collins turned down the offer.
Judge Comerford has directed that as part of the sentence, Jordan pay €10,000 to Barnardos.
Jordan pleaded guilty on a full facts basis to six separate charges of indecent assaults on Collins at various locations, including Lisdoonvarna National School, in the garden of the Collins home, at the rear of Jordan’s Mace, at The Community Centre otherwise known as The Pavilion, at Jordan’s Mace Store and at Ardeamish, Lisdoonvarna.
Judge Comerford said that ‘great harm’ was done by Jordan to Collins and the offending “was sustained over a number of years and involved threats”.
The judge said that Jordan - now a registered sex offender - was significantly older than Seán Collins “and had power and authority that came from someone who was older”.
In his victim impact statement, Collins said: “I have beaten the devil. I couldn’t care less about Noel Jordan, now it is his time to cry."
He said: “I do not identify as a victim, I identify as a survivor. I do not wish to elicit sympathy or pity from anyone. I assume the justice system is fully aware of the impact of being sexually abused as a child has on a person’s life.
Collins said: “I picture this as being the day I walk up to the terrified seven-year-old version of myself who has been crying out to be noticed and heard."
“I am going to put my arms around him and tell him, 'you don’t need to be afraid or carry the pain anymore'. ‘I’ve got you from now on in, I’m going to protect you’.”
Judge Comerford said Jordan told the Probation Service that he did not intend to hurt Collins and didn’t realise the harm he was doing.
The Probation Report stated that Jordan does not express any sexual preference for children.
In the witness box at the sentencing hearing, Jordan apologised to Seán Collins.
He said: “I would like to apologise to Seán for all the harm and hurt I have caused him.
“I sincerely regret it all. My faith is keeping me going. This weighed heavily on me all my life.
He said: “I wish I could turn back the clock, but I can’t.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
