THE mother at the centre of the notorious 'house of horror' case was attacked by prison inmates shortly after her husband was convicted of sex-abuse charges.

The parents, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victims, are now both serving sentences for their roles in one of the country's most horrendous stories of domestic abuse.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune after a 14-year sentence was handed down to the father on Friday, lead investigator Sergeant John Hynes praised the bravery of the six children and said everyone involved had been profoundly affected by what had occurred.

"There is no one involved in this investigation that wasn't affected by it," he said. "You wouldn't be human if it didn't affect you."

Last month, a jury found the father guilty of 11 charges of anal rape, 12 charges of oral rape; and 24 charges of sexual assault against his son on dates between 11 April 2001 and 2 June 2004. The victim was aged between 12 and 15 at the time.

The children's mother, who received a seven-year sentence for incest and neglect in January 2009, was attacked by fellow inmates at the Dóchas Centre in Mountjoy Prison.

It is understood the prisoners had reacted to a news bulletin in which disturbing details of the children's treatment were revealed.

The case first came to the attention of gardaí five-and-a-half years ago and was prolonged by the parents' determined effort to hinder investigations.

"That was the most distasteful case that I have investigated and I have been looking into that kind of case – of a sexual nature – for the last 12 years," said Hynes.

"There were a lot of threats made to the children by the parents not to tell social workers or teachers anything about what was going on at home.

"That drew out the investigation and prolonged the aspect of the kids being able to trust us."

The two eldest sons are now living with their aunt and uncle who have been praised for their loving support by Hynes. The four younger children are in foster care and said to be doing well.