Father sentenced to life in prison for 'prolonged and depraved' abuse of his children

Munster abuse trial: The mother of the children and a 51-year-old uncle have also had their jail terms increased to 12 years and 18 and a half years respectively

Judge quashed the father’s original sentence and imposing a term of life imprisonment on Tuesday, saying the defendant was a person who the children should have been able to rely upon for all their needs but instead he had 'raped and violated' them.

The father of the victims in the Munster abuse trial will now serve a life sentence for the “grave, systematic, prolonged and depraved abuse” of his “vulnerable” children after the Court of Appeal found his original 15-year sentence was too lenient.

The mother of the children and a 51-year-old uncle have also had their jail terms increased to 12 years and 18 and a half years respectively following a successful appeal by the State.