BREAKING: Landmark report into the crimes of paedophile Bill Kenneally is published
The case of Bill Kenneally, pictured, has been described as one of the most serious cases of paedophilia ever uncovered in Ireland.
A final report into how allegations of abuse against paedophile Bill Keanneally were handled has been published.
The report details in depth the scale of Kenneally’s crimes and how individuals and institutions locally and nationally responded to these crimes.
Kenneally is currently serving an 18-year sentence for abusing 10 boys in Waterford between 1984 to 1987.
It is understood that his offending may go as far back as the 1970’s.
The case has been described as one of the most serious cases of paedophilia ever uncovered in Ireland by Mr Justice Michael White, a former High Court judge and Chairperson of the Commission of Investigation who have published the report into Kenneally's crimes.
Further detailed coverage of this report will be published by the Waterford News & Star throughout the week.
The report deals with difficult issues which some people may find distressing.
The report has found that there was a clear and serious dereliction of duty by senior gardaí when they learned Kenneally sexually abused a boy in the late 1980s.
The report also outlines that the South Eastern Health Board failed to follow through on complaints of sexual abuse that could have led to him being caught much sooner.
Chapter 11 of the report covers the knowledge acquired about Bill Kenneally’s activities in 1987/1988 and 2001 by Billy Kenneally Senior, uncle of Bill Kenneally and a prominent former TD and Senator in Waterford.
This chapter deals with the knowledge his son Brendan, also a prominent TD, Senator and junior minister, acquired in 2001, and what he knew before that, and also knowledge acquired in 1987/1988 and 2001 by Bill Kenneally’s uncle on his mother’s side, Monsignor John Shine a prominent cleric in Waterford.
A summary of this chapter states: "Despite the strong denial of Brendan Kenneally in evidence, the one constant in the actions of all three, Billy Kenneally Snr, Monsignor Shine and Brendan Kenneally was a failure to bring the matter into the public domain at least to the extent of reporting the matter to the statutory agencies responsible for child protection."
The report states:
"Bill Kenneally was a predatory sexual abuser operating in Waterford City and its environs. He was sentenced at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court on 19th February 2016, to 14 years and 2 months’ imprisonment, comprising 10 separate sentences of 17 months, imposed consecutively for the indecent assault of 10 boys.
"On 22nd May 2023, he was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four years and 6 months for the indecent assault of five boys, imposed consecutively to the sentence imposed previously, a total sentence of 18 years and 8 months.
"The offences to which he pleaded guilty, ranged from 1979 to 1990.
"Due to the timespan, different generations of boys were affected.
"The contact with An Garda Síochána in 1987 changed his behaviour, but did not stop his sexual abuse.
"Mr Kenneally was not brought to justice prior to a formal complaint by a victim in December 2012.
"As reflected in the sentence of 18 years and 8 months imposed, and upheld on appeal, these were serious offences which have had a lifelong impact on the victims and their families.
"During the period of his activity any young boy who came under his influence was at risk.
"His crimes were cruel and exploitative. He was intelligent and manipulative and an expert at grooming children by developing trust and affection but also using fear."
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, who received the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation on Monday, has said that he will now reflect on its findings.
Minister O’Callaghan said: “I want to acknowledge the bravery of the victims of Bill Kenneally and thank them for their perseverance and strength in seeking truth and accountability. The report I am publishing today was given yesterday to those victims who are in contact with my department via their legal representatives.
"I hope they and the other victims of the abhorrent crimes of Bill Kenneally will find the report to be a detailed and thorough assessment of the significant issues of public concern that arose in relation to his crimes.
“The work of the Commission of Investigation was complex, and I want to thank Judge White, his team and Judge Hickson for bringing this to completion and for the comprehensiveness of the investigation and the detailed recommendations which have been brought forward.
“I will now reflect on the findings of the Report. It is also important that we allow the victims the time to read and consider its findings.”
