McCulkin killers begin life sentences

A Queensland judge says he expects Vincent O'Dempsey, 78, and Garry Dubois, 70, to die in jail after handing the pair life sentences for the murders of Barbara McCulkin and her two daughters 43 years ago.

He also called Dubois a "coward" and said Vincent O'Dempsey was "beyond redemption".

O'Dempsey was last Friday convicted by a Brisbane Supreme Court jury of three counts of murder.

Dubois was found guilty in November 2016 of raping and murdering the children as well as Mrs McCulkin's manslaughter.

O'Dempsey and Dubois took Mrs McCulkin, 34, and sisters Vicki, 13, and Leanne, 11, from their Highgate Hill home on the night of January 16, 1974 before killing them in bushland near Warwick.

O'Dempsey broke his silence about the heinous murders on Thursday, claiming he was "completely innocent" of the charges.

"I have never had the slightest reason to harm the three McCulkins in any way, nor did my co-accused," O'Dempsey said from the dock.

Dubois also sought to address the court but Justice Peter Applegarth denied the request.

"You had your chance at trial, now shut up," Justice Applegarth said.