Ex-mayor Murray: I made sex admission under duress

Former lord mayor of Cork John Murray admitted touching a teenager’s breasts and vagina when confronted by her years after the alleged incident, but he testified yesterday that he was under duress at that meeting.

Mr Murray, aged 83, said at a confrontation meeting two years ago that he touched the complainant’s breasts and vagina. Several witnesses told the trial he made the admission.

Yesterday, he accepted he had made the admission. However, he added: “I said that out of duress because of the rumpus that was being created in the house. I should never have said it.