BILL KENNEALLY WAS “a predatory sexual abuser operating in Waterford City and its environs,” who targeted “pubescent boys in early adolescence”.

The final report of the Commission of Investigation examining Kenneally’s years of sexual abuse and how complaints about his crimes were handled by authorities has been published this afternoon. 

It highlights failures to act on reports of Kenneally’s abuse within a number of organisations – including the gardaí, the health system and local political circles within Waterford – and details the missed opportunities to expose his abuse, decades before he first came before a judge.

His crimes are described in the final report of the Commission as “cruel and exploitative”. 

• In full: Bill Kenneally report finds ‘clear and serious dereliction of duty’ by gardaí – even by standards of late 1980s >

Chairman Michael White writes that Kenneally, who worked as an accountant, was “intelligent and manipulative and an expert at grooming children by developing trust and affection but also using fear”.

The basketball coach and Fianna Fáil activist photographed many of the boys with a Polaroid camera which could instantly develop photos of them in compromising positions.

Possession of these photos was, as White, a former high court judge, puts it, “effective blackmail of the boys to preserve silence”.

Kenneally regularly used restraints including handcuffs and builder’s twine. He also used alcohol, money and gifts to assist in grooming and in the commission of the offences.

In late 1987, knowledge of some of his activities became known in Waterford to two senior Garda officers and some other gardaí, the Principal of the largest secondary school De La Salle, a retired politician, a senior clergyman, a psychiatrist, and to some parents of victims.

A senior South Eastern Health Board paediatrician, a GP and other parents were informed of matters that made them suspicious that Bill Kenneally abused children sexually.

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Bill Kenneally report finds 'clear and serious dereliction of duty' by gardaí - even by standards of 80s

Mr Kenneally was not brought to justice prior to a formal complaint by Jason Clancy, one of the victims of Kenneally’s abuse, in December 2012.

Kenneally was sentenced at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court on 19 February 2016, to 14 years and two months’ imprisonment comprising 10 separate sentences of 17 months imposed consecutively for the indecent assault of 10 boys.

On the 22 May 2023 he was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 4 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.

Chairman Michael White noted that the sentence of 18 years and eight months imposed, and upheld on appeal, reflects the “lifelong impact on the victims and their families”.