An Garda Síochána apologise to Kenneally survivors

Following the delivery of a full state apology in Dáil Éireann this afternoon, An Garda Síochána have said that the organisation fully accepts the findings of the Commission into the crimes of Bill Kenneally.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said in a statement that An Garda Síochána acknowledges and regrets the serious inaction of the former Acting Chief Superintendent, Sean Cashman, and Acting Superintendent PJ Hayes, who were in charge of the original investigation into Bill Kenneally in 1987.

Both men interviewed Kenneally at Waterford Garda Station in 1987 and received admissions from him. Despite this, he was never arrested and was allowed to continue his abuse against children. 

Garda Commissioner Kelly said today that An Garda Síochána acknowledges the impact that this "serious dereliction of duty” by the former Acting Chief Superintendent had on victims.

“As Garda Commissioner I wish to offer my personal apology to the victims of Bill Kenneally for the significant failures of An Garda Síochána, we fell far short of what is expected of us” he said.

You can read in depth about the failures of Gardaí in Waterford to apprehend Kenneally HERE