A victim of Bill Kenneally has said “may the devil have mercy on his soul”, following news of the serial child abuser’s death. 

The former sports coach died in hospital at the age of 75; he was 10 years into an 18 and a half year sentence for the sexual assault of 15 teenagers in Waterford in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. 

Last week, a Commission of Investigation report concluded there had been significant failings by senior Gardaí, who had first been informed of Kenneally’s behaviour back in 1987. 

It would take another 29 years before he was brought to justice. 

On The Claire Byrne Show, victim Jason Clancy said the paedophile’s death has brought him “more closure”. 

“The Commission report came out last week or whatever, which gave us closure,” he said. 

“I suppose this just gives us extra closure now as well.

“It's like everything has come full circle and I don't feel I don't feel anything really; I'm not jumping up and down that he's dead, I'm not delighted. Equally I'm not sad, it's just what it is.

“His life came to an end and to be honest with you, I think may the devil have mercy on his soul.” 

Bill Kenneally in handcuffs. Picure by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie.

Mr Clancy added that the abuse he and other victims suffered “ruined a lot of our lives”. 

However, he continued that the Commission of Investigation’s report represented “where the line was really drawn for me anyway”. 

“Up to that point for the last 13 years, I was saying that, ‘They did this to us, they did that’,” he explained. 

“Whereas when the report came out, it is now the judge saying, ‘Yes, they did this to you and the State’. 

“So, it was just total vindication; the line was drawn, to be honest with you, last week for me.”

On Tuesday, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan met victims and promised them a State apology. 

He also said the Government would consider legislation on whether misconduct in public office should be a criminal offence. 

“Hopefully this will stop anything like this happening again in the future,” Mr Clancy said. 

“So, we're really proud because if we can get this legislation in because of all the work we've done, future kids will have a better chance of this not happening again - because there will be consequences now.”

Main image: Bill Kenneally in handcuffs. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie.