Two men, who were being questioned by Gardai about a horrific sexual assault involving two young girls in Athlone, have been released without charge, Gardai have confirmed.

A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions on the two men who are in their 40s.

However a third man who is in his 30s is still being questioned.

The girls, aged just six and nine, were attending a birthday party in a housing estate in Athlone on Saturday afternoon. It is understood they were outside the house when they were lured away by a man to a house nearby.

Once in the house, they were subjected to a serious sexual assault. They managed to escape through a window and run back to the party, where adults had already become concerned about their disappearance.

The girls identified the house where the alleged attack took place and a group of men from the party went to confront the occupants before Gardai arrived.

The three occupants were arrested as part of the investigation into the alleged assault.

The children were taken to University Hospital Galway where they underwent extensive examinations. Gardai are using the services of a specialist interviewer trained to deal with such sensitive cases.

It is understood the girls were not from Athlone, but had travelled from other parts of the country for the birthday party.