Inquiry into ‘paedophile cover-up’ to go ahead
Victims hope truth will clear ‘city’s stench’
AN inquiry into claims gardai protected one of Ireland’s worst paedophiles because he came from an influential political family has been given the green light.
The Cabinet yesterday agreed to set up a Commission of Investigation into disgraced coach Bill Kenneally who is serving 14 years for abusing 10 boys. However, it will not officially begin until the Attorney General has worked through several legal issues. Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the State needs to be careful an inquiry does not interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation into fresh complaints of sexual abuse against the paedophile. Waterford businessman Jason Clancy, who suffered at Kenneally’s hands, said: “This is a great day for all Bill Kenneally’s victims and we now look forward to getting to the bottom of this horrid affair. “The stench of a paedophile will hang over this city until the truth comes out.” Belfast human rights lawyer Darragh Mackin, representing the victims, added: “This is a true testament to the hard work by our clients and their campaign in ensuring the truth would be uncovered.” The Irish Sunday Mirror reported last September five men who were abused by the former basketball coach in the 1980s alleged he was protected for 30 years. They claim gardai, members of Fianna Fail, the South Eastern Health Board and the Catholic Church all “knew about the abuse but turned a blind eye”. The paedophile is the nephew of late Fianna Fail TD Billy Kenneally and cousin of ex-junior minister Brendan Kenneally. Another victim Colin Power said: “I don’t know what hurts more – the abuse or knowing they knew what was happening but chose to turn a blind eye and leave us to suffer.”