It's been a morning of high drama, upsetting testimony and startling revelations at the Commission of Inquiry in matters surrounding Bill Kenneally.
The multiple sex abuser wearing a grey suit and blue tie, heard the judge in his opening remarks say that this would be a very emotional day for many present and that feelings would be running high.
Counsel for Kenneally John Peart told the hearing that his client had given a statement to the Commission. and he outlined a crucial meeting Kenneally had with Superintendent Sean Cashman and Inspector PJ Hayes in December 1987 at the Garda station.
He said the Gardai had a complaint from the father of a boy, about his client having interfered with the boy, whom Kenneally said would have been 14 and three quarters at the time.
The commission heard Kenneally was 37 years of age, single (and still is) and was living at home with his parents in Sommerville Avenue.
Kenneally said he told the Gardai that he had interfered with the boy and he discussed other instances with the Gardai.
Before today, details of how many boys were mentioned at that hour and a half meeting haven't been revealed but in cross examination, Kenneally said the Gardai mentioned the names of a few boys and he himself named some boys and admitted to having interfered with them. These included Jason Clancy and Kevin Keating, who have since waived their right to anonymity.
Kenneally confirmed that in total, the names of 7 boys were discussed at the meeting in December 1987 with senior Gardai.
Kenneally wasn't arrested and was told he was not to see any of the boys again or make contact with them but to go to get counselling from psychiatrist Dr Michael Kelleher.
He told the Commission that after the meeting with the Gardai, he was contacted by his uncle, Monsignor John Shine, who helped arrange the counselling.
He said another detective garda Sean Barry told him in March 1988 that he had been told to keep an eye on him but that after that, the next he heard from the gardai was December 2012, when they called to his house - 25 years later.
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