Father Michael Kennedy

In May 2003, two brothers tried to blackmail Fr Michael Kennedy a parish priest in Co. Waterford by threathening to accuse him of child abuse unless he paid them money. Fr. Kennedy set up a sting operation with the Gardai (police) and had them arrested. They were sentenced to three and a half and to two years imprisonment. Between them they had a total of over 130 previous convictions.

Parish priest blackmailed by caretaker - Jan 2006

Brothers Found Guilty of Demanding Money From Priest, Irish Times - 14 January 2006

Community Against Priest’s ‘Defrocking’, The Munster Express - 19 May 2006

Sentence for Blackmail of Well-Known Priest Delayed, Irish Independent - 2 June 2006

Waterford brothers jailed for blackmail bid - October 2006

Kennedy clan priest who faced blackmail ordeal still on leave - October 2006

Fr Michael Kennedy Told to Step Down by Canonical Decree, The Munster Express - 13 November 2009