Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the establishment of the commission of investigation into the allegations of collusion between the HSE, formerly the South Eastern Health Board, Basketball Ireland, An Garda Síochána and a senior cleric in the Waterford and Lismore diocese.

For the victims of Bill Kenneally, this traumatic saga has been dragging on for almost three decades. I thank the Minister for being so forthright since he came to office and for establishing this inquiry. I note his comments cautioning Members against saying anything that might interfere with the pursuit of justice for the victims, and I respect that.

The victims’ search for justice and accountability is not yet complete. It is an absolute disgrace that when power is challenged in this State, events seem to move at a tortuously slow pace. This is something that we have seen in many areas. Every institution in this State seems utterly incapable of responding with speed and compassion to instances of horrendous human rights violations. It is often those institutions charged with the care of the most vulnerable that are slowest to respond. I hope this commission will efficiently move us toward a place where all relevant facts are made known.

I wish Mr. Justice Barry Hickson well. The investigation will be harrowing given the scale of the abuse under review. Mr. Kenneally was convicted in 2016 on ten sample counts of abuse of young boys during the 1980s and was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. A further 99 criminal charges have been brought against him respect of two other complainants. The terms of reference for this commission were a matter of some concern for the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecution who feared how it might impact future or ongoing legal proceedings. I have no desire to say or do anything that might jeopardise those cases. My only interest here is to say to the victims of Bill Kenneally that I and my colleagues in the Rural Independent Group will stand with them and do all we can to ensure that justice is victorious.

Child abuse is one of the most horrific crimes. To betray children’s trust in such a brutalising manner ought to incur the severest of penalties, both for the perpetrator and those guilty of shielding him, if that is what happened. To seek to prioritise the protection of reputations, either of individuals or institutions, ahead of protecting children is an abomination and a disgrace and it is to be utterly condemned regardless of when and where it occurs.

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