Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1322Judicial review (planning – BusConnects corridor and compulsory purchase order) · Co. Dublin

Hospice operator obtains High Court permission to challenge BusConnects corridor and compulsory purchase order

Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services DAC, which operates a hospice in Harold's Cross, Dublin 6W, obtained High Court permission on 14 July 2025 to challenge An Coimisiún Pleanála's May 2025 approval of a BusConnects corridor from Kimmage to Dublin city centre and an associated compulsory purchase order. The National Transport Authority plans to build a 22-space car park on lands owned by the hospice, which had been earmarked for accommodation units for its healthcare workers. The hospice argues the decision is invalid, interferes with its constitutional property rights, and fails to regard statutory climate objectives under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. Mr Justice Holland granted the permission and adjourned the case to the end of July 2025.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court14 Jul
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced14 Jul
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The NTA plans to build a 22-space car park on lands owned by the hospice as part of the BusConnects corridor from Kimmage to Dublin city centre.
  • The hospice was planning to build accommodation units for its healthcare workers on the land and claims it is the only land it owns that could be developed in future.
  • The hospice claims the decision is invalid because additional car parking encourages private car use, contrary to the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 and the National Planning Framework.
  • The hospice claims the approval of the compulsory purchase order interferes with its constitutional property rights.
  • The hospice claims the grant failed to have regard for statutory climate objectives under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.
Where
The hospice is located in Harold's Cross, Dublin 6W, and the proposed corridor runs from Kimmage to Dublin city centre.
When
An Coimisiún Pleanála approved the bus corridor in May 2025.
In court
Mr Justice Holland granted the hospice permission to bring judicial review proceedings on 14 July 2025 and adjourned the case to the end of the month.
Other details
The NTA's €4 billion BusConnects initiative seeks to transform bus services in Dublin through the construction of 12 new bus corridors.
33 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCatherine first broke her silence at age 12 and told an adult connected with the secondary school she attended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCatherine's parents chose to believe Richard over her, so the abuse continued. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe legal process lasted six years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCatherine spent seven weeks in a psychiatric facility in 1992. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatPaula Fay and Yvonne Crist were also abused by their brother Bernard Brennan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCatherine Wrightstone is 54 years old and a licensed psychotherapist. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatCatherine's marriage of almost 30 years has been negatively impacted by flashbacks during intimate moments. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatRichard Brennan had previously worked at a church in America. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatBrennan admitted one offence of indecent assault against Ms Crist when she was aged 20 and he was 18. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe hospice was planning to build accommodation units for its healthcare workers on the land. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe hospice claims the decision is invalid as additional car parking encourages private car use, contrary to the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 and the National Planning Framework. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe hospice claims the lands are the only lands it owns that could be developed in future. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe hospice claims the approval of the compulsory purchase order interferes with its constitutional property rights. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe hospice claims the grant failed to have regard for statutory climate objectives under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe abuse was committed in the family home in Rathfarnham. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe abuse began when Catherine was 9 and Richard was 19, and continued for many years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMs Wrightstone was aged between 13 and 17 at the time of the offences against her. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe 13 counts of indecent assault of Ms Wrightstone occurred on dates between June 1980 and late 1985. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenAn Coimisiún Pleanála approved the bus corridor in May. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationCatherine first informed Garda Síochána in 2019, partly to protect potential others from harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationDetective Sergeants Neill Fogarty and Kevin Drennan and Detective Joanne Grogan worked on the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeBrennan admitted to 24 offences against his three sisters. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBrennan was convicted of four offences of rape against Ms Fay and two of rape against Ms Wrightstone when both were minors. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeBrennan admitted to four offences of indecent assault against Ms Fay and 13 counts of indecently assaulting Ms Wrightstone. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCliona Woods of the DRCC was involved in the case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe sentencing was carried out at the Central Criminal Court by Mr Justice David Keane. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Holland adjourned the case to the end of the month. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceRichard Brennan was jailed for eight years after admitting to the prolonged rape and abuse of his three sisters during their childhood. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceRichard Brennan was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBrennan was ordained a Catholic priest in 1989 and left the priesthood in 1992. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherLess than eight per cent of historical child sexual abuse cases make it to trial. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBrennan has an address in Montana in the US. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMs Crist watched the sentencing via video link from her home in the US. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Jul2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Hospice operator launches High Court challenge to BusConnects corridor

    Reports that Mr Justice David Holland granted permission on Monday for the hospice operator to bring judicial review proceedings, with the case adjourned to the end of the month. Details the hospice's legal arguments including irrationality, error of fact, constitutional property rights, and failure to regard climate objectives.

  2. 14 Jul2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Three sisters sexually abused by brother ‘deeply disappointed’ over ‘leniency’ of eight-year prison term

    Reports the sentencing of Richard Brennan to eight years for 24 offences of sexual abuse against his three sisters, includes the sisters' public statements expressing disappointment at the leniency of the sentence, and details of aggravating and mitigating factors considered by the judge.

    convicted, Richard Brennan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Brennanvictim, Yvonne Crist, female, irish (judged from name)Yvonne Cristvictim, Paula Fay, female, irish (judged from name)Paula Fayvictim, Catherine Wrightstone, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine Wrightstone
  3. 14 Jul2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Fr. Richard Brennan jailed over abuse: victim impact statements in full

    Publishes the full victim impact statements of the three victims at sentencing. Catherine Wrightstone describes the abuse beginning when she was 9 and Richard was 19, continuing for many years; first breaking her silence at 12; her parents believing Richard over her; a 6-year legal process; a 7-week psychiatric admission in 1992; and Richard pleading not guilty 27 times before admitting guilt. She also notes that Paula Fay and Yvonne Crist were additionally abused by their brother Bernard Brennan.

    convicted, Richard Brennan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Brennanvictim, Catherine Wrightstone, 54, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine Wrightstonevictim, Paula Fay, female, irish (judged from name)Paula Fayvictim, Yvonne Crist, female, irish (judged from name)Yvonne Cristsuspect, Bernard Brennan, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bernard Brennan