The sister of a former priest who raped and sexually assaulted his sisters while he was a seminarian has said that while they cannot reclaim their childhood they have reclaimed their voices and have "finally been heard".
Richard Brennan, aged 64, was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty during his trial to raping and indecently assaulting his sister Paula Fay when she was between 15 and 17 years old.
He also pleaded guilty to raping and indecently assaulting Catherine Wrightstone when she was between nine and 13 years old and he admitted indecently assaulting a third sister, Yvonne Crist, when she was 20 and he was 18.
Speaking outside the court, Paula Fay said her and her sisters were "extremely disappointed" with the sentence handed down to their brother.
"Eight years is not long enough to reflect the severity of his crimes.
Watch: 'We can never reclaim our childhood, but we have now reclaimed our voices', says Paula Fay
"We feel this sentence does not send the right message to offenders of this type of crime."
Ms Fay said that the sentencing was, however, "a monumental day" in their lives.
"Our brother Richard is now being held accountable for the horrendous sexual abuse he imposed against each of us.
"No prison sentence is ever long enough for rape or sexual abuse.
"Eight years will give Richard time to reflect on the real impact of his horrific crimes and the effect it has had throughout our lives.
"But we feel justice has not truly been served.
"For us, knowing that the perpetrator of these crimes is now going to serve a mere eight years in some way inhibits our healing process.
"It is painful to know that we can never reclaim our childhood.
"But we have now reclaimed our voices and have finally been heard."
Ms Fay said she hoped the voices of her and her sisters will help other victims to break their silence.
"If you are a survivor of sexual violence, please know that it is not your fault.
"Once you are ready to speak your truth your voice will matter."
Justice is 'never beyond reach'
Catherine Wrightstone said her brother "can no longer hide behind the mantle of the church, masking menace with meekness and depravity with sanctity".
She said that while her and her sisters are disappointed with the leniency of the sentence, "justice still prevailed".
"Though justice may take decades, it is never beyond reach," Ms Wrightstone said.
'To fellow survivors, please speak your truth, your voice matters' - Catherine Wrightstone
Also speaking outside court, she said she hopes the conviction "sends a clear message that time does not erase the truth and that our justice system is capable of pursuing justice for victims even decades later".
"Holding perpetrators accountable is not just about punishment, it is about affirming the value of the survivors life, their truth and their fundamental right to live free from fear, coercion or intimidation.
"For us and many others, conviction in the courtroom is a crucial step in healing.
"Thankfully the Ireland of 2025 is not the same as the Ireland of the 1970s and 1980s.
"However, the widespread systematic issue of violence, including sexual violence against women, still needs to be addressed in Ireland - as it is not something of the past."
Ms Wrightstone said her and her sisters waived their right to anonymity not for publicity but so that other survivors know that they are not alone.
"And most importantly of all, to fellow survivors, when you're ready, please speak your truth.
"Your voice matters. You are stronger than you realise. Support is out there and healing is possible.
"May your path toward healing be guided by hope and may you find strength in knowing that justice can prevail."
