Dominique Pelicot, 72, who drugged and raped his then wife, also 72, and arranged for other men to come to their home to rape her while she was drugged and unconscious, was given the maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment for aggravated rape.

Of the other defendants, aged between 27 and 74, 47 were found guilty of aggravated rape, two were found guilty of sexual assault and two were found guilty of attempted rape. They were given sentences ranging from four to 18 years’ imprisonment.

One co-defendant was found guilty of the attempted rape and aggravated rape of his own wife. Mr Pelicot, who was invited to rape her too, was found guilty of attempted aggravated rape against her.

Mr Pelicot was also found guilty of taking indecent images of his daughter and his two daughters-in-law.

The shocking case made global headlines after Mrs Pelicot waived her anonymity to allow her now ex-husband to be publicly named and declared that shame should fall on him, not on her.

While Mr Pelicot admitted the offences, many of his co-defendants denied rape, claiming — but failing to convince the judges in Avignon — that they believed she was a willing participant in a sex game.

In a statement this morning, Rachel Morrogh, the head of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre said: “We salute Gisèle Pelicot as the exceptional person she is and celebrate not just her victory, but the enduring legacy it will have beyond the courtroom.”

“The case sickened people around the globe and opened up conversations about the meaning of consent, the staggering number of willing participants and the dehumanisation of victims,” she said.

“It also underscored fears amongst women that nowhere is safe, even your own home. Gisèle Pelicot was was raped for a decade in her own bed by scores of men, their only connection being their decision to sexually assault and rape an unconscious woman.

“While people in Ireland may think that Gisèle Pelicot’s case is unusual and unique, there are aspects that are all too common here too. From our work in the area of sexual consent, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre knows that there is still a long way to go before it is fully understood and practiced by everyone here.”

Ms Morrogh added: “The cases of Gisèle Pelicot in France and Nikita Hand in Ireland have united women and men in their determination to eliminate sexual violence.

“Now we have the challenge to sustain momentum to achieve this goal, and Dublin Rape Crisis Centre will continue to push, advocate and agitate for this that.

“Until then, we stand in solidarity with all victims and survivors and are here for any person who has been affected by sexual violence of any form.”