Courts / Cork / Report

Former sergeant says he 'puked up guts' on return to work due to stress

Date
2022-05-24

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Mitchelstown

County
Cork

Summary

Paul Barry, a retired Garda sergeant from Mitchelstown, claims he was bullied and harassed by senior Gardaí, including Superintendent Michael Comyns and Chief Superintendent Gerard Dillane. He says a 2012 complaint about a child sexual assault investigation was suppressed, and the DPP later decided no prosecution would occur. Barry alleges he was forced to return to work in 2013 without a medical certificate, despite GP advice that he should not. He reports that he was unfit for duty for 239 days due to work‑related stress and bullying. Barry says he was pressured to apply for a transfer, which he refused because it would have financial consequences. He also claims he was forced to attend a golf duty in 2014 that made him physically sick, leading him to submit a retirement application immediately afterwards. The tribunal is hearing his evidence in Dublin Castle.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former sergeant says he 'puked up guts' on return to work due to stress. Procedural stage: trial

When:

November 2015 Incident
August 6, 2012 Other
March 2013 Other
April 8, 2013 Other
April 9, 2013 Other
June 2014 Other
2022-05-24 Publication

Why: He said he returned because he was on a reduced salary due to his "work-related illness" being recorded as an "ordinary injury" on Garda systems. CNI source report