Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has met a number of victims of convicted sex abuser Bill Kenneally and pledged that a formal State apology to them will be approved by the Cabinet before the Dáil’s summer recess. O’Callaghan on Tuesday apologised to the victims during a meeting in Dublin for the wholly inadequate investigation by An Garda Síochána into Kenneally, a sports coach from Waterford, in 1987. He confirmed that following recent discussions with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, a memorandum on the matter would go to Cabinet shortly. This will allow the commencement of the formal process of offering Kenneally’s victims a full and formal apology from the State. Judge Michael White, who chaired the Commission of Investigation into complaints made against Kenneally, last week published his report. It examined the response by the Garda and the South Eastern Health Board to a 1987 report alleging that Kenneally – a member of a prominent Fianna Fáil political family in Waterford – was abusing pubescent boys.Kenneally was jailed for 14 years and two months at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court on February 19th, 2016, for the indecent assault of 10 boys. On May 22nd, 2023, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, he was jailed for a further 4½ years for the indecent assault of five other boys.White also criticised the health board for failing to follow through on complaints that could have led to Kenneally being caught much sooner.In his report, he noted: “There is no evidence of widespread collusion that would indicate any finding by the commission of State collusion and/or conspiracy, which is not to underestimate in any way the seriousness of the dereliction of duty in the original investigation in 1987/1988.”The commission also looked at the role of basketball clubs and the basketball authorities in the case as Kenneally befriended many of his victims through basketball coaching. It was his continued involvement in the sport that led Jason Clancy, one of his victims, to report him.The final report of the commission will be brought to Dáil Éireann this month and afforded a full debate. O’Callaghan also told the victims that he had accepted White’s recommendation to refer to the Law Reform Commission for assessment on whether misconduct in public office should be established as a separate statutory offence.