A Carlow man has been handed a life sentence for regularly raping and assaulting his wife over what she described as "25 years of hell".
The man, who cannot be named to protect her identity, used to break into her home in the middle of the night to attack her.
All of the offending took place in the family home between 1991 and 2015.
He first raped her in the early stages of their marriage and would use it as a form of blackmail, often for money to feed their children.
She also outlined occasions when he would break into the house then rape her.
In an incredibly powerful Victim Impact Statement she addressed him directly, reminding him of their wedding day when she thought she was marrying someone she could share a life and family with, through good times and bad.
Instead, she said she walked down the aisle to a monster who would destroy their dreams beyond repair.
She also described how she and her children had no one to turn to because he had isolated them from family and friends.
In acknowledging what she described as the woman's unending nightmare and the vast damage caused to her by her husband, the Judge handed down a life sentence.
Anyone affected by issues raised in this article can contact the Rape Crisis Centre National 24-Hour Helpline on 1800 77 8888