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Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin delivered a State apology to Bill Kenneally\u2019s victims (Niall Carson\/PA)<\/p>\nVictims of Bill Kenneally are to receive compensation for the abuse they suffered, the Minister for Justice said, after the Taoiseach apologised \u201cunreservedly\u201d for a State \u201cdereliction of duty\u201d.<\/p>\n
Kenneally, formerly of Summerville Avenue, Waterford city, died last month while serving a prison term after pleading guilty to 10 sample counts of indecently assaulting 10 boys at various locations in Waterford in the 1980s.<\/p>\n
A Commission of Investigation, chaired by retired judge Michael White, examined the response of garda\u00ed, Basketball Ireland, politicians and members of the Catholic Church to allegations of sexual abuse made against the former Waterford basketball coach.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin delivered a State apology to Bill Kenneally\u2019s victims (Niall Carson\/PA)<\/p>\n
It states his activities became known in Waterford to two senior Garda officers as well as a retired politician and senior clergyman in the late 1980s \u2013 with one complainant saying he raised the matter with garda\u00ed when he was 14 as early as 1985.<\/p>\n
But Kenneally was not brought to justice prior to a formal complaint by Jason Clancy in December 2012.<\/p>\n
Survivors have emphasised how earlier intervention could have prevented several victims from being abused.<\/p>\n
The commission found a \u201cclear and serious dereliction of duty\u201d over An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na\u2019s handling of Kenneally.<\/p>\n
We must acknowledge the failings that led to these awful outcomes, in recognition of the horrific experiences, the bravery of his victims, and also to ensure that it can never happen again<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin<\/p>\n
Miche\u00e1l Martin delivered a State apology to victims of the \u201cpredator\u201d on Tuesday, some of whom were in the distinguished visitors section of the D\u00e1il chamber.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin said the Commission of Investigation report into his crimes was \u201charrowing\u201d, adding: \u201cIt tells a story of betrayal, manipulation, abuse, failure and pain.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said Kenneally was a \u201cpredator\u201d who abused \u201cgenerations\u201d of young boys in Waterford.<\/p>\n
Noting that details of his activities becoming known to garda\u00ed and others in 1987 did not stop the sexual abuse, the Taoiseach said there should have been a much more active response.<\/p>\n
He referenced the report\u2019s finding of failure on behalf of acting chief superintendent Cashman, and \u201cto a lesser extent\u201d acting superintendent PJ Hayes after December 1987, to conduct a proper investigation into the activities of Kenneally, was a \u201cclear and serious dereliction of duty even by the standards of the time\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin told the D\u00e1il: \u201cThis has been a major failing of an organ of the State that cannot be downplayed.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo words from Government can make up for the theft of childhood from so many young boys, for the appalling abuse they suffered, and the enormous trauma they have experienced in their lives as a result.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we must acknowledge the failings that led to these awful outcomes, in recognition of the horrific experiences, the bravery of his victims, and also to ensure that it can never happen again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kenneally gave evidence to the commission and said he told two senior garda\u00ed in the boardroom of a Garda station on December 30th, 1987 \u201cwhat I was doing\u201d.<\/p>\n
The exact (compensation) details will be worked out with engagement from the victims themselves. But on a personal level, I do not want to see those of you that have been through so much put through any further lengthy legal processes<\/p>\n
Justice Minister Jim O\u2019Callaghan<\/p>\n
The report compiled by Mr White was brought to Cabinet by Justice Minister Jim O\u2019Callaghan in early June, with Kenneally dying a week later.<\/p>\n
It said that garda\u00ed had enough evidence to arrest Kenneally on suspicion of false imprisonment and indecent assault by the time this interview took place, and to search his house and car.<\/p>\n
At the time, he was in possession of Polaroid images of naked boys in his home and car, the report said.<\/p>\n
Kenneally regularly used restraints and alcohol in his abuse and utilised the photos for blackmail purposes.<\/p>\n
At the meeting on December 30th, 1987, Kenneally was not cautioned, proper notes were not taken, the investigation was not properly established, and no file was created.<\/p>\n
One of the officers also had a conflict of interest as he was \u201ca close friend\u201d of Kenneally\u2019s uncle, Monsignor John Shine, and should have recused himself from the investigation.<\/p>\n
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Colin Power said the apology was \u2018recognition of the journey we\u2019ve been on\u2019 (Bairbre Holmes\/PA)<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters before the apology, survivors of Kenneally said they had a \u201cfeeling of relief\u201d.<\/p>\n
Colin Power told reporters: \u201cI think it\u2019s a feeling of relief.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a long journey for us over the last 10 years, really, and for our families as well, who are all with us today.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s recognition of the journey we\u2019ve been on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Clancy said the day was \u201cabout getting vindication and getting the State apology and getting closure for all of us\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mr O\u2019Callaghan said he had instructed officials in his department to begin the process of securing \u201ccompensation for those who have suffered as a result of the failures outlined in the report\u201d.<\/p>\n
I think we need to learn lessons from these commissions of investigation. There\u2019s no point in just it\u2019s today\u2019s news and it\u2019s forgotten about tomorrow<\/p>\n
Colin Power<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe exact details will be worked out with engagement from the victims themselves.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut on a personal level, I do not want to see those of you who have been through so much put through any further lengthy legal processes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to see a mediated solution that brings much-needed closure to all parties.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some of the victims also criticised Fianna F\u00e1il\u2019s handling of the matter in light of information about abuse being known to elected party representatives.<\/p>\n
The report states that Kenneally\u2019s uncle, Billy Kenneally Snr, knew in late 1987 that his nephew had sexually abused at least one child.<\/p>\n
It adds that Brendan Kenneally, the son of Billy Kenneally Snr, knew in 2001 that Kenneally had seriously sexually abused two boys in the \u201980s and \u201990s. Both have been TDs and Senators in the party.<\/p>\n
Mr Martin had previously said that the report did not implicate the Fianna F\u00e1il party \u201cat all as an organisation\u201d and said there was \u201cno evidence whatsoever\u201d of any conspiracy or \u201cattempt to cover up\u201d.<\/p>\n
During the State apology, he said: \u201cI am profoundly sorry that two former public representatives from my party so comprehensively failed to defend and protect young children from their nephew and cousin.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Jason Clancy, Barry Murphy, Colin Power, Kevin Keating, and Paul Walsh in Dublin (Cillian Sherlock\/PA)<\/p>\n
The Government has also referred a recommendation over the creation of an offence of misconduct in public office to the Law Reform Commission.<\/p>\n
Mr Power also said there was a need to \u201clearn lessons\u201d from the Commission of Investigation.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThis has been an eight-and-a-half-year process. If I was on my own, I wouldn\u2019t have been able to get through this without the lads, without Phoenix Law, and family.<\/p>\n
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