World · East Asia & Pacific · 17 hrs ago
Dennis McKenna barred from returning to Katanning after prison release
A Western Australian court has permanently barred Dennis McKenna from Katanning, the town where he abused boys while working at St Andrew's Hostel.
McKenna abused 29 victims over the 1970s and 1980s and served more than 15 years in prison.
He is due to be released in less than two weeks, and the court says 41 conditions will manage his release despite his high risk of reoffending.
He must not contact children or seek out victims, and his movements will be monitored.
The ban is believed to be a first in Western Australia, but some survivors say the restrictions are not enough.
After release, McKenna will be barred from Katanning and must follow the court's conditions.
Dennis McKenna will be permanently barred from Katanning when he is released from prison in less than two weeks.
The Western Australian Supreme Court imposed the ban among 41 conditions, ruling that his release could be safely managed despite a high risk of reoffending.
McKenna abused 29 boys in Katanning while working as a warden at St Andrew's Hostel during the 1970s and 80s.
He served more than 15 years in prison for the abuse.
Some survivors say the release conditions do not go far enough.
- Who
- Dennis McKenna, a convicted child abuser.
- What
- He will be permanently barred from Katanning after prison release under one of 41 court-imposed conditions.
- When
- The ruling was made this week. He is due to be released in less than two weeks.
- Where
- Katanning, Western Australia, about 240 kilometres south of Perth.
- Why
- The court said his release into the community could be safely managed despite his high risk of reoffending.
Supporters of the court-imposed conditions
Survivors seeking tighter restrictions
Katanning ban
Supporters of the court-imposed conditions
Shire president Kristy D'Aprile welcomed the ban as an important protection for the community.
Survivors seeking tighter restrictions
Todd Jefferis said the measures do not come close to what is needed.
Release conditions
Supporters of the court-imposed conditions
The Supreme Court ruled that McKenna's release could be safely managed under 41 stringent conditions.
Survivors seeking tighter restrictions
Jefferis said survivors had sought restrictions on where McKenna could go, including whether Albany would be barred.
McKenna abused boys in Katanning while working as a warden at St Andrew's Hostel.
St Andrew's Hostel was demolished.
Lawyer John Hammond represented 25 of McKenna's victims in a compensation battle.
The Supreme Court imposed 41 conditions on McKenna's release, including a permanent ban from Katanning.
McKenna is due to leave prison.
- Victims
- 29
- Prison term
- More than 15 years
- Release conditions
- 41
- Town ban
- Permanent ban from Katanning
- Distance
- Katanning is about 240 kilometres south of Perth
- Hostel
- St Andrew's Hostel was demolished in 2024
What people are saying
Dennis McKenna's record of child abuse is abhorrent, and the impact of his crimes is truly horrific
I think it's a really important condition for our community
I haven't seen a situation where a high-risk offender has been banned from the whole town
We've asked for restrictions on where he can actually go, and we asked if Albany was one of those places