Victims of a Donegal man who abused 7 children over a 16-year period have told the Central Criminal Court they can never forgive him.

43 year-old Peter Corcoran of Dunmore, Falcarragh abused 5 boys and 2 girls during the 1980s and 90s.

His victims were initially deterred from coming forward because he was "very highly thought of" in his local community. Two were abused in each others presence when the defendant's mother went out to bingo.

One woman described how Corcoran insisted on coming to her wedding telling the court that "the happiest day of my life was ruined."

In a hugely emotive victim impact statement another man who was sexually assaulted on a nightly basis described trying to take his own life. He told the Court "I have an emptiness inside me, I will never, ever forgive him."

Defence lawyers said Peter Corcoran was himself under the age of 18 when he began abusing. He will be sentenced next week.