Case No. 1213Rape, sexual assault · Co. Dublin
Sisters of Richard Brennan call for paid witness leave after his eight-year sentence for sexual offences in Rathfarnham
Richard Brennan, a former priest aged 64, was sentenced to eight years at the Central Criminal Court in July 2025 for six counts of rape and 18 indecent assaults charged against him in relation to his three sisters, Paula Fay, Catherine Wrightstone, and Yvonne Crist. The offences were committed in the family home in Rathfarnham, Dublin, between 1978 and 1985, when Brennan was aged between 16 and 24. He pleaded guilty days into his trial in March 2025 after all three sisters had given evidence, and his sisters have since called for paid witness leave, mandatory sentencing guidelines for sexual abuse, and a statutory offence for sibling sexual abuse.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Jul
2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Richard Brennan, a former priest aged 64, was charged with 24 sexual offences against his three sisters.
- Where
- The offences were committed in the family home in Rathfarnham, Dublin.
- When
- The offences occurred from 1978 to 1985, when Brennan was aged between 16 and 24.
- Charges
- Brennan pleaded guilty to six counts of rape and 18 indecent assaults against Paula Fay, Catherine Wrightstone, and Yvonne Crist.
- In court
- The trial took place at the Central Criminal Court, and Brennan admitted to the offences days into his trial in March 2025.
- Sentence
- Brennan was sentenced to eight years at the Central Criminal Court in July 2025.
- Other details
- Brennan, who has an address in Montana, US, changed his plea after all three sisters had given evidence and Paula and Yvonne were cross-examined.
- The sisters called for witnesses to be given paid leave the same as jurors, mandatory binding sentencing guidelines for sexual abuse, and a statutory offence for sibling sexual abuse.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe abuse was committed in the family home in Rathfarnham (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences occurred from 1978 to 1985 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to raping and indecently assaulting Paula when she was between 15 and 17 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to raping and indecently assaulting Catherine when she was between nine and 13 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a third sister Yvonne Crist when she was 20 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeBrennan admitted to 24 offences against his three sisters (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe offences included four counts of rape against Paula Fay (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe offences included two counts of rape against Catherine Wrightstone (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial took place at the Central Criminal Court (irishmirror.ie)
- courtBrennan admitted to the offences days into his trial in March (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceRichard Brennan was sentenced to eight years for six counts of rape and 18 indecent assaults (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceRichard Brennan was sentenced to eight years at the Central Criminal Court (irishtimes.com)
- otherRichard Brennan is a former priest aged 64 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRichard Brennan is 64 years old (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe former priest changed his plea deal after all three sisters had given evidence and Paula and Yvonne were cross-examined (irishmirror.ie)
- otherPaula was told by her employer she was only entitled to annual leave or unpaid leave as a witness (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe sisters called for mandatory binding sentencing guidelines treating sexual abuse and rape as serious offences regardless of time elapsed (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe sisters called for a statutory offence under sexual assault for sibling sexual abuse (irishmirror.ie)
- otherBrennan was aged between 16 and 24 at the time of the offences (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth women were minors at the time of the offences (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe sisters called for witnesses to be given paid leave the same as jurors in trials (irishtimes.com)
- otherCatherine Wrightstone called for mandatory binding sentencing guidelines treating sexual abuse and rape as serious offences regardless of time elapsed (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jul2025Sisters of rapist Richard Brennan want witnesses in trials to get paid leave from work
The sisters' public call for paid witness leave and mandatory sentencing guidelines for historical sexual abuse cases, following Brennan's eight-year sentence.
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 - 30 Jul2025Sisters raped by priest brother call for witnesses to be paid for full trial
Victims call for witness pay reform, mandatory binding sentencing guidelines for sexual abuse, and a statutory offence for sibling sexual abuse; details of plea change after all three sisters gave evidence and Paula and Yvonne were cross-examined.
convicted, Richard Brennan, 64, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Brennanvictim, Paula Fay, female, irish (judged from name)Paula Fayvictim, Catherine Wrightstone, female, irish (judged from name)Catherine Wrightstonevictim, Yvonne Crist, female, irish (judged from name)Yvonne Crist