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The Irish government has apologised to the victims of a paedophile in the D\u00e1il (lower house of Irish parliament) on Tuesday.<\/b><\/p>\n
Bill Kenneally was the perpetrator of one of the most serious cases of paedophilia uncovered in the Irish state.<\/p>\n
He was sentenced to 19 years in prison for the abuse of 15 young boys in the south east city of Waterford between 1979 and 1990.<\/p>\n
Irish authorities believe at least 14 other boys were abused by him.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Miche\u00e1l Martin made the state apology at 15:35 in the D\u00e1il.<\/p>\n
“This has been a major failing by an organ of the state that cannot be downplayed,” he said.<\/p>\n
“As taoiseach I apologise unreservedly, on behalf of the state, to the victims of Bill Kenneally for what was a clear and serious dereliction of duty.”<\/p>\n
He also apologised that it was two former politicians from his party, Fianna F\u00e1il, who he said “failed” to protect children.<\/p>\n
“There is no question about the duty public representatives have to put the safety of others first, and I repeat the fact that two TDs, Billy Kenneally Snr and Brendan Kenneally failed in that duty to the victims of Bill Kenneally.<\/p>\n
“They failed the victims by putting their own relative first.<\/p>\n
“I am profoundly sorry that two former public representatives from my party so comprehensively failed to defend and protect young children from their nephew and cousin.”<\/p>\n
He said even though Kenneally could have been arrested by garda\u00ed in the 1980s, it was not until 25 years later that a proper investigation was carried out.<\/p>\n
A Commission of Investigation report published recently into the state’s handling of complaints by victims found there was a clear and serious dereliction of duty by senior garda\u00ed (Irish police), even by the standards of the time.<\/p>\n
Kenneally died in prison in June just days after the publication of the report.<\/p>\n
He did not show any remorse for his crimes.<\/p>\n
Kenneally admitted sexually abusing teenage boys when he was spoken to by senior garda\u00ed in 1987 and claimed he gave them the names of seven boys.<\/p>\n
He was not arrested or prosecuted and he continued to abuse children.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n