A 39-year-old Co Mayo man has been sentenced to seven years in jail for the rape and sexual assault of two girls.
Kevin Owen McDonnell of Adhann Or, Bangor Erris, Ballina, Co Mayo, was convicted by a jury last month of 30 counts of sexual assault and 27 counts of rape against the two girls, who were aged eight and nine at the time.
His victims, 20-year-old Kelly Geraghty and 21-year-old Charlene Barratt, waived their right to anonymity so that he could be named.
They said they felt the sentence was not long enough for what he had done to them.
But they felt that at least justice had been done and McDonnell would not be able to do the same thing to anyone else.
They urged other victims of sexual abuse to speak out and not to keep it in. The two women also thanked their families and their community for the support they had been given.
The Central Criminal Court heard last month that the two girls were best friends.
Ms Barratt's mother ran a hairdressers in Bangor Erris, which was next door to the West End pub where McDonnell worked as a barman.
The court heard that in September 1999, the girls developed a habit of watching cartoons in the lounge area of the pub after school. It was there that McDonnell first began abusing them.
The court heard the attacks became increasingly bold and depraved and happened two to three times a week for a year.
The court was told McDonnell threatened the girls in order to keep the abuse a secret and would give them sweets and soft drinks.
Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan noted the suffering endured by the two young girls. He said they had displayed great courage and resilience.
