Child rapist joins 12 sex offenders serving life terms

The 30-year-old rapist of two children joins 12 other sex offenders serving a life sentence in Irish prisons. While he will be able to start applying for parole after he serves seven years, the average term of life sentences is just over 17 years.

Figures provided to the Irish Examiner show that of the 12 sex offenders serving life, one has so far served 18 years and another has served 17 years.

One other person is serving life for defilement or unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 15.