The Government delivered a full and formal State apology to the survivors of convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally today.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin led the apology in the Dáil, while Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan apologising to survivors for what he has described as the "wholly inadequate" Garda investigation into Kenneally.
The apology follows the publication of the final report from the Commission of Investigation, which found there was a clear and serious dereliction of duty by senior gardaí after they became aware in the late 1980s that Kenneally had sexually abused a boy.
Kenneally, who coached basketball in Waterford, died in prison last month while serving a 19-year sentence for the historic sexual abuse of boys.
Around 50 survivors and family members traveled to Leinster House today to witness the apology from the Dáil's public gallery.
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Survivor Colin Power, alongside Jason Clancy, Barry Murphy, Kevin Keating, Paul Walsh and their families, spoke to the press before entering Leinster House.
“All of our families behind us saw the highs and the lows, we've had difficult days and they had difficult days as well. This is as much for all of us behind us as it is for the victims of Bill Keneally, who are very important.”
“We have always done this one day at a time, and today is about the state apology. Every other organization in the 80s who knew children were being abused who did nothing are apologizing. Fianna Fáil had those people who knew and did nothing- and children continued to get abused.”
“I think it needs to address the failures of the state, not just the gardai, the South-Eastern Help Board as well. It can't be evasive, it has to be strong. And that's what we're all hoping for and we'll find out in the next hour or so.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris said he hoped the apology would provide survivors and their families with some comfort and recognition.
He said the "monstrous evil" suffered by the victims was made even worse because "their vulnerabilities further increased" by the impunity with which the "vicious perpetrator carried out his atrocities."
Harris added: "The failure of Church, State, and society to protect children, to protect the vulnerable, ensured and enabled abuse to continue, victims to continue to suffer, and justice to be delayed for an extraordinary long time."
He continued: "I really do hope that when the Government apologises today on behalf of the State, that it brings some element of healing, of comfort, and of recognition to the survivors and their families."
Sinn Féin Waterford TD David Cullinane said Kenneally's victims were "tragically failed in the most horrific way."
The Commission of Investigation's final report, which is due to be published today, examines how allegations of abuse against Kenneally were handled by authorities and is expected to detail significant failures that allowed the abuse to continue for years.
