"I have won, I have survived and now my life starts": Rape victim reacts to jailing of former council worker

A former Waterford county council worker has been sentenced to 10 years for the sexual abuse and rape of two sisters and a third woman over the course of 12 years.

"Today I take my life back I am so glad to get this day to be able to stand here in front of my family and friends and say what I’ve wanted to say for years to you Batty Prendergast. I have won, I have survived and now my life starts and yours ends lonely and miserable which is just what you deserve. You can never hurt anyone again. From this I take great peace."

That is an extract from a long victim impact statement by one of Bartholomew Prendergast's victims, Stephanie Hickey, which was read to the court last July.