PERV GETS 9YRS OVER ABUSE OF 2 GIRLS

Father-of-one is caged after vile sex assaults

- BY CHRIS McNULTY

A FATHER-of-one was jailed yesterday after admitting a string of sexual offences against two young girls

Martin Friel was given a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence, with the last 12 months suspended, when he appeared at Cavan Circuit Court.

The 47-year-old, from Ballymichael, Fanad, was before the court for a range of offences committed in Donegal between 2014 and 2016.

Earlier this year at Donegal Circuit Court, Friel pleaded guilty to one charge of defilement and one of sexual assault against one victim, who was between 12 and 14 years old when the offending occurred, and seven counts of sexual assault against another victim, who was 16 at the time.

Friel initially faced 26 charges, but tendered guilty pleas on a full facts basis on a scheduled trial date.

A victim impact statement from the first victim was read to the court.

She told how Friel's actions "meant my teenage years were taken away from me" and how she is still dealing with the consequences.

She said she found school difficult and couldn't mix with people, and outlined how she felt as if she couldn't trust or even talk to anyone.

"I am still in fear every night that he will come into my house," she said.