"This happened in the city"- Kenneally's death reverberates in Council
Councillors spoke about the death of paedophile Bill Kenneally at the June meeting of the Metro Council, June 18, 2026.
The shadow of one of the most notorious predators in the Irish state hovered over the election of the new Mayor of Waterford City.
On Thursday, June 18, paedophile Bill Kenneally died in prison at the age of 75 while serving a prison sentence for abusing children. He died just as the commission into his crimes revealed a decades-long campaign of concealment, secrecy and mismanagement of allegations.
The revelations have shaken the very fabric of Waterford, especially in the city where Keneally resided and preyed on young children. For years, he was cosseted and protected by his family name, political ties to Fianna Fáil and the local authorities.
At one point in the early 1990’s, Kenneally was tapped to co-opt his cousin's seat at Waterford City Council. Kenneally declined the position, citing that he had 'skeletons in his cupboard'.
As victim Jason Clancy said to reporter Darragh Murphy: “The biggest paedophile in the history of the state could have been the Mayor of this city. It is unbelievable.”
Last Thursday evening, Councillors from the Metropolitan District gathered for their AGM to elect a new Mayor.
It was a tense, febrile atmosphere where councillors expressed their disgust towards the findings of the report. Councillor Mary Roche (Social Democrats) stated that the bravery of the survivors must be recognised by the Council. She said: "This happened in the city. Bill Keneally, who passed away this morning, had to have been one of the biggest paedophiles in in the history of the State. There won't be too many who mourn his passing."
Councillor Donal Barry (Ind) criticised the Council’s lack of official response.
Cllr Barry said: “Through years of personal trauma they took on the most powerful institutions in Ireland; the State, An Garda Síochána, the HSE, the Catholic Church and a Fianna Fáil influentially political family here in Waterford. They persevered for years not for personal gain but in pursuit of truth, accountability and justice.”
He continued: “Given the magnitude of what they have achieved and the enormous price that they and their families have paid, its extraordinary that no public statement of recognition has been issued from the Mayor's office on behalf of the citizens of Waterford City and County and the people it represents."
Outgoing Fianna Fáil Mayor Adam Wyse responded to the comments with recognition of the men’s suffering but stressed that the 'issue' should not be ‘politicised’.
Cllr Wyse said: “I don't want to politicise that issue, that issue has been politicised. What those gentlemen went through was fairly disgusting, completely sick and they got their vindication."
Incumbent Mayor Lola O'Sullivan (Fine Gael) said: "Our thoughts are with the victims but we also need to realise that they need time now. It's still very, very raw, as one victim said today. Their families need time. It's been an extremely sensitive issue for them all and they've worked so hard to get where they are."
After being elected Mayor of the Metropolitan District, O'Sullivan referenced the survivors in her speech: "I also want to mention all the great men who had a great week, it's been a huge week for them, that is Jason (Clancy), Paul (Walsh), Barry (Murphy) and Kevin (Keating), and so many others who have suffered who might not have been able to come forward.
"It's been a very, very difficult time for all of them and hopefully this week will help them have closure."
