Brothers' abuse of sisters was hidden in Dublin family for years
Richard was aged 19 and studying for the priesthood when he began sexually abusing Catherine in their
Rathfarnham
home in Dublin on her ninth birthday. He put her sitting on her bed, instructed her to remove her underwear and sexually abused her.
She vomited and cried in the bathroom later as she tried to scrub herself clean and was 'very confused' because her brother, who came home at weekends from
Clonliffe College
, was 'supposed to be a man of God'.
After Catherine disclosed the abuse at the age of 13, it was dismissed by her father as 'just sexual curiosity' while her mother said she was 'lying' and being 'dramatic'. It continued until she was 14.
READ MORE
Richard Brennan arriving at the Central Criminal Court. Photograph: Collins
Catherine was unaware until years later that Richard also abused her older sisters Paula and Yvonne, or that an older brother, Bernard, abused her two sisters.
Now aged 67, Bernard Brennan was jailed last month for four-and-a-half years after admitting 11 indecent assault offences against Yvonne Crist and Paula Fay between 1972 and 1975.
His sentence hearing was told that when aged 14, Bernard called then seven-year-old Paula into the house, forced her to take off her clothes in front of some local boys and touched her inappropriately. His abuse escalated to include oral rape.
Yvonne was 13 and Bernard 15 when he started abusing her. He would wake her in the night, sexually assault her and make her watch pornography. Bernard subjected both girls to abuse in front of, and with, Richard, the court was told.
Bernard's counsel said he grew up in a violent home, his only sexual education was from pornography, which he re-enacted, he had no previous convictions, and offered an unreserved apology to his sisters.
[
Boy (13) uploaded sexual abuse photographs of sister (6) to Discord social media channel
Opens in new window
]
During his separate sentencing hearing for offences against Ms Crist, Ms Fay and Catherine Wrightstone, Richard claimed that from the age of three he was naturalised into sexually deviant behaviour by Bernard and was sexually abused by a friend of his father's.
The family home was not a happy one. The children's mother had a history of mental illness and their father, a self-employed businessman, was an alcoholic who was sometimes violent to their mother and the children.
The family was musical – especially the girls, who found some solace in their singing voices. 'My ability to sing became my refuge, my escape, my lifeline,' Ms Fay said. 'Music was something no one could take from me, and it carried me through the darkness.'
Ms Wrightstone was first to break the silence about the abuse. In 1984, aged 13 and encouraged by her best friend Michelle Gubbins, she disclosed she was being sexually abused by Richard to a specialist educator linked to her school. 'Michelle said to me, if you tell a grown up, they will take care of it and it will stop.'
Her disclosure was reported to the head nun, who called in her parents to inform them.
'Nothing happened,' Ms Wrightstone said. Her parents took no action, their physical beatings of the children worsened and the sexual abuse by Richard continued.
[
Richard Brennan jailed for eight years for sexually abusing three of his sisters
Opens in new window
]
Later that year, she was admitted to Dublin's Meath Hospital with lower limb paralysis. Unable to identify the source of her condition, the hospital made a referral to St John of God's for family therapy. Ms Wrightstone said redacted, sometimes illegible, records of those meetings included references to her father defending Richard's actions as 'just sexual curiosity'.
Her parents decided after five or six sessions not to continue with the family therapy. Ms Wrightstone had therapy for several more months but was 'very guarded'.
She was not believed, and her sisters were then too frightened to disclose the abuse of them.
A 'long and arduous' journey: From left, Paula Fay, Yvonne Crist and Catherine Wrightstone
Back home, Ms Wrightstone said her mother was hostile when she tried to raise Richard's abuse, telling her to 'shut up' and 'move on'. When aged 15 or 16, her mother's response when told his abuse was escalating was to tell her she was 'lying' and being 'dramatic'.
'She said to move on and 'get a grip', that I would experience far worse things in life.'
In 2019, all three sisters made formal complaints to gardaí, leading to an investigation and the prosecution of both brothers, who returned from the US to Ireland for their trials.
[
Officials resist schools abuse redress scheme
Opens in new window
]
Richard maintained his not guilty pleas until after his three sisters gave evidence, and two had been cross-examined in his trial last March. He ultimately pleaded guilty to counts of indecent assault and rape of Ms Fay and Ms Wrightstone.
He admitted one offence of indecent assault against Ms Crist relating to an incident when she was aged 20. Then singing professionally, she had toured in the United States and was staying in the family home while singing in Jury's hotel as a soloist.
She woke during the night to find Richard naked in the bed on top of her and screamed at him to leave. Having initially refused, he left after she grabbed the phone, threatening to make an emergency call.
Having been ordained a Catholic priest in 1989, Richard went to Montana in the US but left the priesthood in 1992 after meeting his wife Bridget, an emergency physician. They married in 1993 and he worked in sales and later as a chaplain in the hospital where his wife worked.
Bridget Brennan, three of their adult children and two friends travelled to Ireland for the case. Ms Brennan asked the judge to receive 20 letters of support, plus testimonials from their children, on behalf of her husband, 'one of the kindest, most compassionate and trustworthy people I have ever met'. She never had concerns about leaving their children with him, she said.
A theme in the sisters' victim impact statements was their sense of strength and empowerment now their abuser had 'finally been brought to justice'. They are survivors, the women stressed, and expressed deep gratitude for all who supported them, including their husbands and children.
Ms Wrightstone, a licensed psychotherapist, stressed she was not seeking 'vengeance' but wanted recognition of the harm and lasting impact of the crimes on her life, 'and the immense courage it took to come forward as a child, a teenager and then as an adult'.
She wanted, 'most important of all', her voice to matter 'because, for too long, it did not'.
Catherine Wrightstone. Photograph: Tom Honan/The Irish Times
While recognising the court has limited power to address the 'widespread systemic issue of sexual violence against young girls and women', it has power 'to show that the gross injustice of these types of acts will not be tolerated', she said. 'Thankfully, the Ireland of the 1980s is not the same as the Ireland of 2025.'
The damage done by childhood sexual abuse and rape is 'a lifelong sentence of emotional pain, broken trust, and an ongoing struggle to reclaim safety and self-worth'.
In her statement, Ms Fay said she was a child with 'no voice, no power, and no sense of worth', whose world was 'shaped by overwhelming fear'.
This justice is not just for me, but for all those who have endured such pain and fought to be heard. Today I truly am a survivor
—
Paula Fay
She was 17 when she finally broke free from this 'relentless' sexual abuse, having endured at least 10 years of it, beginning at just six or seven years old at the hands of Bernard and carried on through the rest of her childhood by Richard.
The 'psychological torment' did not end with the abuse – it affected her mental, emotional and physical health. However, she was 'immensely proud' of the woman she has become, 'of her strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit'.
The sisters' journey had been 'long and arduous'. The Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to press charges 'felt like an eternity', with legal obstacles between the women 'and the chance to finally speak our truth'.
Ms Fay hoped her brother's sentence reflected the severity of his crimes 'and brings accountability long overdue'. 'This justice is not just for me, but for all those who have endured such pain and fought to be heard. Today I truly am a survivor.'
In her statement via video link from the US, Ms Crist, a widowed mother of two, said she has recurring nightmares of the night Richard, aged 18, tried to sexually assault her, aged 20, as she slept. She was 'terrified' of his strength and regretted not calling gardaí then 'as you wouldn't have been able to continue your sexual behaviours towards my sisters'.
He made her feel she was 'a filthy piece of dirt' who 'did not deserve to live'.
[
Sisters lost half their family after reporting sexual abuse by older cousin, court hears
Opens in new window
]
She had overcome anorexia that developed in her teens but developed a mental illness at the age of 28, leading to extensive treatment over years. Her serious bouts of mental illness 'prove that incest lasts a lifetime'.
Music was 'my saving grace' and her singing career helped take her away 'from my troubled self'.
'Now I can function very well, I survived and I am a survivor,' she said. Her message was: 'Never doubt and survive because you are so worth it. Life does get better.'
On Monday, Richard Brennan was jailed for a total of eight years after admitting to indecently assault of three of his sisters and raping two of them when they were minors.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
2 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Fionnán Sheahan: ‘Vote early and vote often' saga shows curious lack of concern about our democracy
He was fierce quick to give out about a guard giving him an auld shove out of the way in Temple Bar before the All-Ireland football final.
Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, August 4th: On a dangerous time to be a woman, landlords and rent, and President Trump's favour
Sir, – Three times over the past week I have watched news reports on women survivors of physical, sexual, emotional and psychological violence perpetrated by trusted males, some of them close family members. I heard sisters Paula Fay and Catherine Wrightstone describe the lifelong sentence of emotional pain, broken trust, and struggle to reclaim self-worth that their brother inflicted upon them. I heard Niamh Herbert talk about the feeling of giving a piece of herself away on every step of her path to justice. I heard Nikita Hand say that the legal case has retraumatised her over and over again. And I listened as each one of these brave women encouraged others who have experienced similar abuse to speak out, reminding them that they have strength within, that their voice matters and that justice can eventually prevail. READ MORE All this, as the horrific news about the killing of Vanessa Whyte and her two children unfolded over the week. At what stage do we call a halt to the head-shaking, the hand-wringing, the repeated expressions of shock and bewilderment and acknowledge the fact that Ireland is not a safe place to be female? Why are we not collectively howling from the rafters at the violence, the depravity, the pervasive level of threat that is endemic in our society today? How many more women must be traumatised, brutalised or even die, how many more candlelit vigils take place before we take educational and legislative steps to ensure that this stops now? To position ourselves in the world as a liberal democratic state, and to uphold the values of such, presumes a basic equity among citizens. Have we fallen at this first step? – Yours, etc, CAROLANNE HENRY, Churchtown, Dublin 14. Landlords and rental income Sir, – If the article written by Dr Lorcan Sirr was an essay for one of his own economic courses with the title 'What do landlords actually earn?' I think he'd get a D at best. It's a scattergun attack on landlords premised by the claim that we're all part of a secret club milking it. The only actual earnings quoted are general income which include the salary from a job or business. I'm one of the small landlords he's trying to vilify. Not having the luxury of a defined benefit pension from a taxpayer's funded job, the properties are my pension. When the ECB increased rates recently the repayments on one property increased from €1,200 a month to €1,650, while because of rent controls my rent was stuck at €1,100. And yes those figures are correct, a pre-2008 property. There are plenty of landlords who aren't creaming it. – Yours, etc, CHARLES McLAUGHLIN, Portobello, Dublin 8. Is Trump doing us a favour? Sir, – The Department of Finance feels that up to 70,000 fewer jobs will be created over the next five years as a result of the US tariffs as these tariffs will result in a reduction of economic activity of roughly 1.5 per cent (' US tariffs will mean 70,000 fewer jobs created in Irish economy, Department of Finance warns ,' August 1st). However, we have been informed that our economy is operating at full employment (full employment equates with 4 per cent unemployment), our population has increased by 20 per cent over the past five years resulting in an acute shortage of housing, huge waiting lists for medical treatment, a shortage of school places and lastly our infrastructure is incapable of catering for our expanding population. So perhaps Trump has come to our rescue after all? – Yours, etc, JO TRESTON, Blackrock, Co Dublin. Sir, – The report that Department of Finance officials warned that up to 70,000 fewer jobs will be created in the next five years due to US tariffs should not be a cause for concern. The solution can be found by copying the action of president Trump last Friday when the Bureau of Labour Statistics revealed higher unemployment numbers. He simply sacked the commissioner, to be replaced by someone who will alter the figures in his favour! – Yours, etc, GERARD CLARKE, Dundrum, Dublin. Policing the traffic and gardaí Sir, – Regarding 'S ome frontline gardaí expressed lack of interest in doing their jobs, review finds ,' (August, 1st). Yesterday, I was almost knocked to the ground by a passing scooter on the pedestrianised South King Street, close to Grafton Street. I then noticed the scooter turning left down Grafton Street. As I approached the top of Grafton Street, I noticed two gardaí on duty, observing the throngs of people down along Grafton Street. I brought the matter of the scooter to their attention. Yes, they had seen it go down Grafton Street, and further, scooters are going up and down the street all day. Surprised at this ready acceptance of this situation, there was more to follow; 'And we can't do anything about it,' they said. Startled by this, I reminded them that what they were observing was an act of law-breaking. I got the same answer about not being able to do anything to stop it. In frustration, I terminated the conversation, leaving them to continue their important job of observing the laws of the land being blatantly ignored in front of their eyes. – Yours, etc, EAMON O'FLYNN, Merrion Road, Dublin 4. Bargain cycling lanes Sir, – Rita O Brien (Letters, July 31st) claims that the ¤45 million spent on the Dundrum to Dún Laoghaire cycle lane is a bargain since the users will not be expected to pay a cent in road tax, insurance or licensing. By this reasoning, will all cyclists, pedestrians and EV drivers be exempt from any share in the massive fine coming our way due to massively exceeding our carbon budgets? – Yours, etc, COLETTE McNAMEE, Dublin 19. Sir, – Roads in Ireland are funded by the exchequer. Most taxes in the State are paid into the exchequer (income, VAT, etc). There is no 'road tax', although there is a 'motor tax' levied on most motorised vehicles. These funds also go to the exchequer. Since almost everyone pays some tax, everyone contributes to the cost of road construction (including cycle lanes) even if they don't drive or cycle. Introducing requirements such as motor tax, licensing, etc, for cyclists would dramatically reduce the rate of cycling, with the attendant negative effects on traffic congestion, public health, climate change, traffic congestion and so on. Whether or not the ¤45 million cost represents value for money is a different issue. – Yours, etc, CONALL DORAN, Co Sligo. Sir, – With reference to Rita O'Brien's letter, I wish to inform your correspondent that as a motorist I do not pay a cent in road tax. I do however pay motor tax, based on the CO2 emissions of my car, to offset the environmental impact of my car. As for insurance, that's paid to a private company that has nothing to do with the provision of transport infrastructure. Let's make cycling as difficult as possible to stop the indignity of motorists sitting in a traffic jam having to watch cyclists sail by. – Yours, etc, DECLAN RYAN, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7. A generous offer Sir, –Frank McNally, Irishman's Diary (August 1st), writes about his annual jaunt to Ballybrit, bemoaning the lack of breakfast at his digs. I hereby offer him a bed with the full Irish for 2026 on condition he doesn't write about it! – Yours, etc, ANNE MARIE KENNEDY, Craughwell, Co Galway. Asylum and statistics Sir, – Nick Henderson of the Irish Refugee Council, in rebutting Senator Michael McDowell's suggestion that many asylum applicants are economic migrants, states that 'The data does not support this claim,' (Letters, July 31st). The only statistic he provides is that 60 per cent of asylum applications this year have been refused. He subjectively concludes that these were refused on technicalities such as insufficient paperwork, but that they were genuine asylum seekers. He then partly attributes blame for the IPA accommodation crisis to McDowell himself, as he did nothing about it during his five years as minister for justice. McDowell ceased in that role 18 years ago. I know we ideally want far-sighted politicians, but expecting clairvoyance is not realistic. – Yours, etc, DAVE SLATER, Kilkea, Co Kildare. Not so bonny photograph Sir, – I am in accord with Finn McRedmond's opinions in her Bonnie Blue article – apart perhaps from this being the best time to be alive (' Bonnie Blue: Why the free-sex 'content creator' is nauseating and wrong ,' July 31st) But why on earth is the article illustrated with a large, unavoidable and rather silly picture of Miss Blue? The Irish Times isn't social media and should avoid the 'Oh you are awful, tell me more' redtop vibe. Why publicise this person's image? Please, Irish Times remember your journalistic standards! – Yours, etc, MAIRIDE WOODS, Dublin 13. Filler thriller Sir, – I always smile when I turn over to the Letters page and see a smattering of short ones or 'fillers' as I like to call them. You just can't beat an eclectic and diverse mix of opinions. – Yours, etc, DEE DELANY, Raheny, Dublin 5. Germ supporter Sir, – Recent correspondence on our immune system and germs (Letters, July 31st and August 1st) reminded me of an expression often used by my late mother. When, as children, my brothers and I would often arrive home from an evening exploring in the fields or scrambling through the nearby woods stained from top to toe with soil and any other detritus that came our way and she would smile saying it was just 'clean dirt'. Looking back it's clear she knew the importance of beneficial bacteria and of building a robust immune system. Her philosophy has stood me in good stead to this day. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater in an obsessive desire to cleanse our environment of all germs, be they good or bad. – Yours, etc, PAT MULLEN, Kilkerley, Co Louth.
Irish Times
13 hours ago
- Irish Times
Garda injured while arresting sword-wielding suspect
A garda was hospitalised after suffering injuries while arresting a man armed with a sword in south Dublin on Sunday. The incident occurred in the Ballyogan area of Dublin 18 just after 1.30am on Sunday. Gardaí based in Blackrock responded to reports of a man wielding a sword. While arresting the suspect, a male garda sustained injuries, according to a Garda statement. He was taken to hospital for assessment and has since been discharged. The suspect, a man in his 40s, has since been charged in connection with the incident. He is due before Dublin District Court on Monday morning.
