A combined total of 66 years in prison has been handed down to five young men who subjected a teenage girl to a violent and prolonged sexual attack in a car.

It happened in various locations in the midlands in the early hours of December 27th 2016.

During the trial, the woman gave evidence of becoming separated from friends following a night out in Tullamore on St Stephen’s Day 2016.

In what she described as a 'stupid, snap decision,' she said she agreed to get into a car full of boys, whom she innocently assumed were her friends. They weren't.

Sentenced

The driver, Marcos Vinicius De Silva Umbelino, of Riverview, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath was convicted of sexual assault and rape.

He was jailed today for 14 years.

Eduardo Dias Ferreira Filho, also of Riverview in Kilbeggan, was also convicted of sexual assault and rape as well as a false imprisonment.

He was jailed for 17 years.

For the same offences, Gabriel Gomes Da Rocha, of Mount Armstrong, Rahan, Tullamore, Co Offaly, was jailed for 19 years.

Conor Byrne, of Ballybeg, Moate, Co Westmeath, was jailed for ten years for raping her. He was the only one who pleaded guilty.

Ethan Nikolaou, of Brosna Park, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath, was jailed for six years for two sexual assaults on the then 17-year-old.

Courage

This evening, the former Chair of the National Women's Council Ellen O'Malley Dunlop said the victim showed tremendous courage in coming forward.

She warned that she should never have had to wait so long for justice.

“She has given other women courage and victims courage to come forward,” she said.

“But let’s not be waiting this length of time to get justice anymore. Do please … I’m calling on the government to get more judges appointed.”

If you are affected by any of the issues discussed in this article you can contact the National 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline on 1800 77 8888.