Daniel Keneally pleads not guilty to fabricating evidence charge

Constable Daniel Keneally, the son of former NSW premier Kristina Keneally, was not present in court on Thursday, relying on his lawyer Paul McGirr to enter the plea on his behalf.

The police constable son of former NSW premier Kristina Keneally will fight allegations he fabricated false evidence, which saw a man allegedly wrongly imprisoned for almost a month.

Constable Daniel Keneally was not required to front the Downing Centre Local Court in person on Thursday, instead leaving his lawyer, Paul McGirr, to enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf

The Crown will allege Constable Keneally fabricated evidence against a civilian, Luke Moore, who was then imprisoned for three weeks before being given an official apology by the state.

Mr Moore, who had been wrongly accused by Keneally of threatening to kill a police officer in a telephone call to Newtown Police Station last year, is now suing the State of NSW for damages.

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson announced in October it had acted on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Kristina Keneally with son Daniel Keneally and Gladys Berejiklian Source: https://www.change.org/p/nsw-police-investigation-into-constable-daniel-keneally-and-the-nsw-police

“Criminal proceedings have now been commenced against Constable Keneally by an officer of the Commission alleging one offence of fabricating false evidence with the intent to mislead any judicial tribunal contrary to s 317(b) Crimes Act 1900,” the LECC said in a statement at the time.

“In accordance with usual practice, a lawyer from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will appear on the return date of the criminal proceedings and will take over the prosecution under s 9 Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1986.”

After the telephone call in February last year, Mr Moore’s house was raided and he spent three weeks with bail refused in Nowra Correctional Centre. He was released after officers listened to a recording of the conversation which Mr Moore had made.

Mr Moore was in court on Thursday to hear the plea being entered. He told the media outside court he was disappointed in the development.

Outside court, Mr McGirr said he had requested a brief of evidence in the matter.

“We’ll assess that and go from there,” he said.

“It’s a sensitive matter and it wouldn’t be right for me to comment at this stage.”

He confirmed Cst Keneally’s plea of not guilty.

The case was adjourned to January 12 for further mention.

Cst Keneally’s employment status is under review, police said in a statement.