Issue Date: 14/07/2026
An Garda Síochána fully accepts the findings of the Commission.
An Garda Síochána acknowledges and regrets the serious inaction of the former Acting Chief Superintendent and Acting Superintendent in charge of the original investigation into Bill Kenneally in 1987.
An Garda Síochána acknowledges the impact that this "serious dereliction of duty” by the former Acting Chief Superintendent had on victims.
An Garda Síochána acknowledges the Commission’s finding that the second investigation into Bill Kenneally did not proceed with expedition from 8th February 2013 until 23rd April 2013.
An Garda Síochána notes the overall Commission’s finding that
"The quality of the overall (second) investigation was superb, culminating in two separate criminal trials on indictment, where ultimately Bill Kenneally pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting 15 boys and received a lengthy custodial sentence. There was no mala fides (bad faith) or cover up on the part of An Garda Síochána. Experienced Garda Officers had been assigned to deal with it. No one observing the evidence of these officers to the Commission could be in any doubt as to their competence and professionalism. The Commission received extensive cooperation from the Waterford District and An Garda Síochána generally.”
Furthermore,
"The Commission accepts that the failure of adequate resource allocation or lack of communication (by An Garda Síochána) during this period of time did not in any way compromise the overall integrity of the investigation which resulted in a successful prosecution in two trials.”
An Garda Síochána acknowledges and regrets that victims Jason Clancy and A7 were not communicated with properly in the initial stages of this second investigation.
An Garda Síochána engaged extensively with the Commission and established a Liaison Team under a Chief Superintendent to ensure the timely provision of approximately 25,000 documents.
Since the time covered by this report, An Garda Síochána has invested significantly in the investigation of domestic and sexual abuse. This has included establishing Divisional Protective Service Units across the country with each one having highly trained specialist investigators to ensure victims are heard and dealt with professionalism and empathy.
As Garda Commissioner I wish to offer my personal apology to the victims of Bill Kenneally for the significant failures of An Garda Síochána, we fell far short of what is expected of us.
