Three Dublin youths who sexually assaulted a 12-yearold girl in 1998 have each been given three-year terms by Mr Justice Carney at the Central Criminal Court.
Keith Fetherstone (17), of Moatview Court, Priorswood; Glen Johnson (17), of Primrose Grove; and Patrick Healy (17), of Buttercup Park, both Darndale, admitted the sexual assault at Malahide Road, Coolock, on October 11th, 1998.
The girl's father said the victim's life and the family's had been destroyed by the incident. She had been unable to continue going to school. "It has been a living hell that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy," he said.
Mr Justice Carney said when children committed adult crimes they had to be prepared to take adult punishments.
He suspended the final six months of the sentences on Healy and Johnson and 20 months in the case of Fetherstone who has been in custody for 12 months in relation to the crime.