BRANDEN Wrixon SHOCKS CORK WITH SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST TEENAGER IN MALLOW
| Red Rose Database
Cork Sexual Abuser
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Cork, Brendan Wrixon, a 74-year-old former priest, was sentenced in connection with serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy. The incident took place during a religious workshop held in Mallow, organized by the Diocese of Cloyne, where Wrixon was acting as a confessor at the time.
According to court proceedings, the young victim had gone to confession, seeking spiritual guidance, only to be subjected to a disturbing and inappropriate act by Wrixon. The priest, during the confession, allegedly removed the boy’s clothes and engaged in inappropriate touching of his genitals. The court heard that Wrixon also kissed the teenager on the lips, actions that have been described as grossly indecent.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin, presiding over the case, delivered a stern verdict, sentencing Wrixon to 18 months in prison, suspended in its entirety. The judge emphasized the gravity of Wrixon’s misconduct, stating, “You violated not only the laws of the country but your own religious view and whatever tenets you believed in. I hope that the exposure of the offence and all the evidence will be a vindication of the victim.” The judge further remarked that Wrixon had publicly acknowledged his wrongdoing, and that he was no longer fit to serve as a priest, a decision that was deemed appropriate given the circumstances.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Ó Donnabháin took into account several mitigating factors. These included Wrixon’s age, his full cooperation with the investigation, and the fact that he had begun treatment more than five years prior to the trial after the complaint was initially made. Expert reports indicated that Wrixon was at a low risk of re-offending, and it was noted that he now lives alone, with his reputation and life significantly affected by the case.
During the proceedings, Wrixon’s legal counsel, Tim O’Leary SC, highlighted the intense media coverage surrounding the case, describing it as “a fire-storm.” O’Leary also revealed that Wrixon had admitted to engaging in sexual activities with the victim beyond the specific incident in question. The court was informed that Wrixon pleaded guilty to a charge of gross indecency with a male, committed between October 1982 and February 1983.
Detective Garda Coleman Murphy provided details of the allegations, stating that Wrixon, at the time a priest, was hearing the teenager’s confession when he removed the boy’s clothes, touched his genitals, and kissed him. When questioned about the incident, Wrixon admitted to having engaged in mutual masturbation with the teenager on six or seven occasions. The detective also revealed that the victim alleged there were approximately 20 incidents of a sexual nature, some involving oral sex performed on Wrixon, with one incident reportedly occurring in a church sacristy and another on a secluded road near the teenager’s residence.
Throughout the case, Wrixon’s legal team emphasized that he was no longer a priest and expressed remorse for his actions. O’Leary stated that Wrixon had issued a full apology to the young man, acknowledging the harm caused and accepting responsibility for his misconduct. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Cork, raising serious questions about trust and safeguarding within religious institutions.
According to court proceedings, the young victim had gone to confession, seeking spiritual guidance, only to be subjected to a disturbing and inappropriate act by Wrixon. The priest, during the confession, allegedly removed the boy’s clothes and engaged in inappropriate touching of his genitals. The court heard that Wrixon also kissed the teenager on the lips, actions that have been described as grossly indecent.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin, presiding over the case, delivered a stern verdict, sentencing Wrixon to 18 months in prison, suspended in its entirety. The judge emphasized the gravity of Wrixon’s misconduct, stating, “You violated not only the laws of the country but your own religious view and whatever tenets you believed in. I hope that the exposure of the offence and all the evidence will be a vindication of the victim.” The judge further remarked that Wrixon had publicly acknowledged his wrongdoing, and that he was no longer fit to serve as a priest, a decision that was deemed appropriate given the circumstances.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Ó Donnabháin took into account several mitigating factors. These included Wrixon’s age, his full cooperation with the investigation, and the fact that he had begun treatment more than five years prior to the trial after the complaint was initially made. Expert reports indicated that Wrixon was at a low risk of re-offending, and it was noted that he now lives alone, with his reputation and life significantly affected by the case.
During the proceedings, Wrixon’s legal counsel, Tim O’Leary SC, highlighted the intense media coverage surrounding the case, describing it as “a fire-storm.” O’Leary also revealed that Wrixon had admitted to engaging in sexual activities with the victim beyond the specific incident in question. The court was informed that Wrixon pleaded guilty to a charge of gross indecency with a male, committed between October 1982 and February 1983.
Detective Garda Coleman Murphy provided details of the allegations, stating that Wrixon, at the time a priest, was hearing the teenager’s confession when he removed the boy’s clothes, touched his genitals, and kissed him. When questioned about the incident, Wrixon admitted to having engaged in mutual masturbation with the teenager on six or seven occasions. The detective also revealed that the victim alleged there were approximately 20 incidents of a sexual nature, some involving oral sex performed on Wrixon, with one incident reportedly occurring in a church sacristy and another on a secluded road near the teenager’s residence.
Throughout the case, Wrixon’s legal team emphasized that he was no longer a priest and expressed remorse for his actions. O’Leary stated that Wrixon had issued a full apology to the young man, acknowledging the harm caused and accepting responsibility for his misconduct. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Cork, raising serious questions about trust and safeguarding within religious institutions.