Two consecutive sentences of two years' detention were imposed on a Co Offaly youth who pleaded guilty at Tullamore Circuit Court yesterday to 12 sample counts of sexual assaults on his cousins.
By order of the court the accused, who is now aged 17, cannot be named.
He admitted charges of sexual assault and having unlawful carnal knowledge of two girls under the age of 15 between June 1st, 1995, and June 30th, 1997.
The court heard that at the time of the offences the accused was aged between 12 and 14, while one of the girls was between seven and nine and the other between nine and 10.
Judge Anthony Kennedy described the offences as repulsive and imposed consecutive terms of two years' detention in respect of the assault of each girl. He refused an application by Mr John Phelan SC, defending, for leave to appeal.