Man appeals life sentence for raping girls aged six and nine

A man who lured two girls from a birthday party and said he would cut their parents’ throats before repeatedly raping them has moved to appeal his life sentence.

The 32-year-old man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, had pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping the girls (aged nine and six) in a flat in Athlone on September 28th, 2013.

He was given two life sentences by Mr Justice Paul Carney on March 3rd, 2014.

The man moved to appeal his sentence yesterday on grounds that it was excessive in all the circumstances. His barrister, Sean Gillane SC, acknowledged there were “nightmarish aspects” about this case involving violations of an unspeakable kind of two children. Mr Gillane said certain aspects of the man’s assistance should have merited a different approach by the trial judge. On foot of advice he received from his solicitor, he made full admissions and indicated how the case would be approached before he left the Garda station, Mr Gillane said.

Mr Justice George Birmingham, who sat with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, said the court would reserve judgment.