An appeal against the life sentence handed down to a man who raped two girls after luring them from a party in Athlone has been dismissed.

The girls, who were just six and nine years of age when they were abducted in September 2013, managed to escape through a window in the man's flat.

During the terrifying ordeal the 32 year old threatened to kill the girl's parents and repeatedly raped them.

He was sentenced to life in prison but his lawyers argued that his co-operation and early pleas should have been given more credit.

Mr Justice George Birmingham dismissed his appeal saying the facts of this case were exceptional and merited the concurrent life sentences handed down.