Brother Patrick Timothy Farrell

Brother Patrick Timothy Farrell was a member of the Christian Brothers Catholic order in Australia. During his teaching and religious career, he served at the following schools:

• St Virgil’s School, Hobart (teacher and head of the junior dormitory in the 1950s);

• St Mary Cathedral College, Hobart (oversaw the Guild of St Stephen); and

• St Edmund’s College, Canberra.

In 2014, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse heard from victims who accused Brother Farrell of sexually and physically abusing them. This is in relation to St Virgil’s School where the sexual assaults were said to have taken place. The Royal Commission heard that one victim was anally raped and physically abused leaving him psychologically tormented for the rest of his life. In relation to these accusations, the head of the Christian Brothers Oceania Province said in a statement that it had concluded some settlements in the past following allegations of abuse at St Virgil’s dating back many decades.

After many complaints, Brother Farrell was moved on by the Christian Brothers to St Edmund’s College in Canberra, where apparently senior staff had learned he had been abusing boys at St Virgil’s in the mid 1950’s. However, it must be pointed out, that no allegations or accusations of sexual abuse have been made against Brother Farrell while he was at St Edmund’s.

Moody Law has in the past and is currently representing clients who have been sexually abused by members of the Christian Brothers.

We invite former students, teachers and parents 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.