Bill Kenneally's victims in line for freedom of Waterford city

Bill Kenneally with a young basketball team in 1984

Plans are at an early stage to give the freedom of Waterford city to the victims of paedophile Bill Kenneally.

Sources in Waterford city and county council confirmed to the Irish Examiner that no formal decision has yet been taken to grant the honour to Kenneally’s victims but that it is likely that such a ceremony will take place before the end of the year.

Kenneally, 75, died in the Midlands Prison in the early hours of Thursday morning, 10 years into an almost-19 year sentence for the abuse of 15 boys between 1979 and 1990. 

He died less than 48 hours after victims were promised a State apology next month, during a meeting on Tuesday with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan.

Kenneally had been unwell in recent weeks and was in palliative care. One of his legs was amputated earlier this year.

The matter was discussed at the metropolitan monthly meeting of the council on Thursday. It is understood members believe it is important to allow time for reflection for the six victims.

They were named in the report published last week following the South East Commission of Inquiry into the handling of allegations of abuse made against the former basketball coach.

Outgoing Mayor of the Metropolitan District of Waterford, Fianna Fail’s Cllr Adam Wyse, said it will be brought to the council’s corporate policy guideline committee for discussion, before progressing to a council vote.

He added: “I would be delighted for the men to receive it if they felt it appropriate.” 

Sinn Fein Cllr Jim Griffin said a decision is likely to be made in the early autumn and he added that councillors do not want to make a political matter out of any discussions around it.

He said: “This is about the men themselves. Normally, the Freedom of the City is a very joyous occasion. The lad’s achievement is that they battled the State but there will be a lot of sadness around it too.” 

One of the men, Jason Clancy, said that it is a big honour to have the Freedom of the City being discussed for him and the other victims.

He said that the council has been hugely supportive of the men’s campaign in 2017 for the establishment of the commission of inquiry. He said councillors had written to the then Minister for Justice in support of the men’s call, and had also contacted the Department of Justice to push for the publication of the commission’s report.

He said: “The council has been very good to us and has been so supportive.” 

Of the Freedom of the City, he said it would be a huge honour for the men and their families.

Another of the victims, Simon O’Toole, said very few people will have a State apology and the Freedom of their own city side by side.

“It is great that they recognise the wrongs that were done to you,” he said.