Vile beast, 31, who held woman down as friend raped her will be free to roam Irish streets as 16 sex offenders released

Keith Aherne received a nine-year jail term in 2017 for his role in a horrific attack
A SEX beast who held a woman down as his pal raped her is due to be freed from prison this month.

The Irish Sun can reveal Keith Aherne, 31, from Cork, is one of 16 sex offenders who will be back on the streets.

Aherne is being freed after he received a nine-year jail term in 2017 for his role in the horrific attack.

During the incident in Cork city on June 28, 2013, Aherne held the victim down and watched as she was raped.

He repeatedly said: “It’s alright girl, it’s alright” as she was subjected to the shocking attack.

His victim told the court in an impact statement that since the attack she had lost all her confidence and “even my will to live”.

She said that Aherne had power over her on the night, saying “you held me down and watched while another man raped me”.

It’s understood Aherne, who has 41 previous convictions including robbery, assault, and possession of drugs, will be returning to Cork.

The monster is on the sex offenders register for life as gardai await his release.

As part of his release conditions, he has to notify gardai of his new address.

If he fails to comply with his release conditions, he will be sent back to prison.

One source said: “Aherne is classified as a dangerous sex offender, and gardai will be closely monitoring him.

“Hopefully he will be keeping a low profile when he walks out of prison.”

OTHER OFFENDERS

Alongside Aherne, another rapist is also being freed.

But other prisoners due for release include those convicted of sexual assault, defilement of a child, and possessing images of children being abused.

Some of those being released are from Dublin, Limerick, Mayo, Galway, and Cork.

They are being released after coming to the end of their sentences.