There is no change in procedures per say, just someone applying the rules.
I am making a number of assumptions here.
The direct track you were sent on, I assume took you north of the airway L10. The base of CAS was therefore FL195 until you reached the Dublin-Turnberry airway P620.
I also assume that you arrived after 10pm when the night shift is in when, speaking personally I apply "night shift" rules where everything goes direct and the appropriate ATSOCA service is offered as required (its the night shift so its always a deconfliction service).
It would seem that the ATCO last night decided for what ever reason, that they would keep you inside controlled airspace and offer no alternative.