Brother John Francis Tyrrell

Brother John Francis Tyrrell is a Christian Brother who joined the Order in the 1956 as a trainee when he was in his late teens. Brother Tyrrell began his career as a school teacher with the Christian Brothers around 1963. He served/taught at the following schools:

  • St Joseph's Christian Brothers College, Warrnambool (approximately 1963 - 1964);

  • St Joseph’s College, Geelong (Grade 6 teacher and Supervisor of boarders between 1965 and 1966);

  • Christian Brothers College, East St Kilda and South Melbourne;

  • St Thomas College, Clifton Hill (closed - Principal between 1971 to 1978);

  • St Monica’s Primary School, Moonee Ponds (Principal); and

  • St Kevin’s College Junior School (Director of the Primary School).

In 2017 and 2018, Brother Tyrell was charged and appeared in the Melbourne County Court on indictment with six counts of buggery (charges 2, 3, 4, 6, 10 and 14) and eight charges of indecent assault upon a male (charges 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13). The charges where in relation to the sexual abuse of a student when he was teaching at St Joseph’s College in Geelong. Brother Tyrrell contested the charges with a plea of not guilty. After the trial, he was convicted of four charges of buggery, and six charges of indecent assault. He was acquitted on charges 4 (buggery), 11 (indecent assault), 13 (indecent assault) and 14 (buggery). He was sentenced to a total of 11 years’ imprisonment with a non-parole period of 6 years and 6 months. In 2019, however, Brother Tyrell was acquitted of all charges by the Supreme Court of Victoria - Court of Appeal due to discrepancies in the evidence of events that allegedly happened approximately 50 years ago.

Moody Law has in the past and is still representing clients who have made allegations of sexual and physical abuse against members of the Christian Brothers at various schools and institutions around Australia.

We invite former victims to tell us confidentially what information they may have, and we will explain what options are available to help with these cases.

Call us or complete the confidential enquiry form below.