investigation | 

Former TD and cousin of Bill Kenneally says he doesn’t remember boy spending night with serial abuser

Brendan Kenneally allegedly asked one of Bill’s victims if “he had fun last night” the morning after he had been molested

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A former Fianna Fáil TD, who is a cousin of convicted child abuser Bill Kenneally, allegedly asked one of his victims if “he had fun last night” the morning after he had been molested, a Commission of Investigation has heard.

Brendan Kenneally, who was a TD and Senator between 1989 and 2011, was giving evidence yesterday to the Commission investigating the response of gardaí, politicians, clergy members, health board officials and others to the allegations about Kenneally.

Brendan Kenneally told the Commission that he had been involved in founding the TF Meagher’s basketball club in Waterford in 1973 with Bill Kenneally. He said Bill Kenneally was also a member of Fianna Fáil and was also involved in canvassing during elections and was a tallyman at election counts.

It was put to Brendan Kenneally that he, alongside his cousin, had been in charge of assigning bedrooms during an overnight stay for a basketball tournament in Cork. Brendan Kenneally allegedly told the victim that he would be pairing with Bill. The exact date of the incident is unknown but it is believed to have occurred in 1981.

“I have no recollection of that,” said the witness.