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Garda subjected to persistent bullying, harassment and "racial torment", High Court told

Summary

In November 2016, Deming Gao, a Chinese-born naturalised Irish Garda, reported persistent bullying, harassment and racial torment by colleagues after he raised concerns with superiors and a welfare officer. Following the complaint, he was allegedly branded a "rat," isolated, and subjected to verbal attacks, leading to a doctor's assessment that he was unfit for work due to stress. Gao's injury was initially classified as an injury on duty but was re‑classified in May 2017 as an ordinary illness, backdated to his leave start date, without explanation or consultation with his medical advisers or the Garda's chief medical officer. The Garda Commissioner also began deducting alleged over‑payments from his nominal weekly payments. Gao has sued the Commissioner, seeking to quash the re‑classification, restore the original injury status, and declare the re‑classification unlawful, with the case set for a December hearing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda subjected to persistent bullying, harassment and "racial torment", High Court told. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 2016 Incident
• May 2017 Other
• 2017-11-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report