Fianna Fáil not implicated in Bill Kenneally report, Taoiseach says

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Fianna Fáil is not implicated “at all” in a report into the abuses of paedophile Bill Kenneally, the party’s leader has said.

Earlier this week, a report into the abuses of the paedophile found a “dereliction of duty” on behalf of An Garda Síochána.

It has already been signalled that his victims are in line for an official apology from Government, but abuse survivors have levelled criticism at both Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and the wider Fianna Fáil party.

Some of the victims pointed out that elected Fianna Fáil representatives had information of the abuse.

The report states that Bill Kenneally’s uncle Billy Kenneally Snr knew in late 1987 that his nephew had sexually abused at least one child.

It adds that Brendan Kenneally, the son of Billy Kenneally Snr, knew in 2001 Kenneally seriously sexually abused two boys in the 80s and 90s. Both had been TDs and Senators for Fianna Fáil.

Asked on Saturday if the party had failed to handle the matter correctly, Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said his party was not implicated as an organisation but said individuals were “wrong” in how they addressed the matter.

He added that there was “no evidence whatsoever” of any conspiracy or “attempt to cover-up”.

He told reporters at a press conference: “The actions of Bill Kenneally were reprehensible and horrific.

“I would have called nearly a decade ago for a Commission of Investigation into the handling of that, and I’ve read the report, and it’s very clear that the central conclusion of the Commission of Investigation is that there was a failure on behalf of An Garda Síochána at the time in 1987 to deal adequately and properly with the presentation of issues and allegations in respect of Bill Kenneally.

“And also Bill Kenneally himself coming to the Garda station, and from what I’m reading in the report, being tantamount to admitting his culpability.”

Not taking an opportunity to apologise on behalf of the party when asked, he added: “The report doesn’t implicate the Fianna Fáil party at all as an organisation, and in fact makes the point that the Fianna Fáil party was not advised even locally or in any shape or form by any individual.

“The two former public representatives involved did wrong in the manner in which they addressed the issue, no question about that.

“And the Government will – we’re organising time in the Dáil to debate this comprehensively.

“And because of the central conclusion of the Commission of Investigation to the effect that State agencies effectively failed the victims in terms of not dealing with this robustly and properly at the time, the Government will be considering an apology, and any further actions.”

O’Callaghan was criticised for not meeting with victims between receiving the final report and its release, and for not giving them more than 24 hours to consider its contents before it was published.

Martin said his understanding was that earlier drafts would have been circulated before the official publication, adding that the Minister would meet victims.