LAWYERS ACTING ON behalf of six men who were abused as boys by Bill Kenneally in the 1980s have urged the Minister for Justice to immediately order an inquiry into how the case was handled by gardaí at the time.

Bill Kenneally was a sports coach in Waterford during the decade. Last year, he was sentenced to 14 years in jail after pleading guilty to 10 sample counts that he abused 10 boys over three years.

Jason Clancy, who was abused by Kenneally in the 1980s, believes his attacker was allowed “go on a rampage” through Waterford city and sexually assault as many boys as he wanted.

It was only when Clancy came forward to gardaí in 2012 that Kenneally was finally arrested, charged and convicted.

Earlier this year, then-Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald signalled an intention to launch an inquiry into how gardaí and other agencies handled the case at the time.

This inquiry has not got underway as of yet, due to Kenneally appealing the length of his sentence, and new allegations that are under investigation by gardaí.

Lawyers for the six men, however, believe that this inquiry should begin immediately.

In a letter to current Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan, solicitor Darragh Mackin said it is “entirely irrational and unreasonable to take the position that any commission of investigation would, or has, a prejudicial effect on the pending appeal by Bill Kenneally”.

“At this juncture, our clients have not been provided with any details as to why the Minister asserts there would be prejudice in commissioning an inquiry whilst the criminal investigations are underway,” he said.

It is our client’s position that the commission of investigation can, and should, commence its work to ensure that best evidence is preserved and no further relevant evidence is lost as a result of the delay.

Among the questions that would be put before any potential inquiry is why an allegation made in 1985 was not acted upon.

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