Six men were jailed for life in Britain yesterday for the kidnap, torture and murder in May last year of 16-year-old Mary-Ann Leneghan, who had strong Irish connections, writes Ruadhán Mac Cormaic
The case received extensive coverage in Britain because of the shocking nature of the attacks on Mary-Ann and her friend.
Mary-Ann, whose father is originally from Co Mayo, and her 18-year-old friend were abducted, tortured and raped over three hours in Reading, England, on May 7th last.
Reading Crown Court heard that Mary-Ann died after being stabbed 40 times, while her friend was shot in the forehead but recovered to give evidence.
Four men aged between 19 and 23 years were told that they would each serve a minimum of 27 years.
Two others must serve at least 23 years.
As he left the court yesterday, Mary-Ann's uncle, Charlie Harris, described the sentences as "brilliant". He said: "Justice has been done. We just want to try to rebuild our lives now."
During their ordeal, Mary-Ann and her friend, who has not been named for legal reasons, were repeatedly taunted, raped, burned with cigarettes, doused with boiling sugared water and told they were going to be killed.
Mary-Ann's father, Bertie, emigrated to England in the early 1970s.
His mother Molly and brother Tony still live in Mount Jubilee, three miles from Bangor Erris in Co Mayo.
A close friend of the family expressed himself "happy enough" with yesterday's sentences.
"It's a horrendous crime. You wouldn't do that to an animal. This girl was tortured. I met Molly only yesterday; she's a very nice woman, a very quiet woman. She found it very tough, but she was trying to get over it. They were very upset."