Courts / Cork / Report

Garda says he was told by senior officer to 'cover up' child sex abuse allegation

Date
2022-05-27

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Mitchelstown

County
Cork

Summary

Paul Barry, a retired Garda sergeant from Mitchelstown, claims that in 2012 he was instructed by Superintendent Michael Comyns to conceal an alleged child sexual abuse case involving a suspect linked to senior Gardaí. Barry says Comyns also bullied and harassed him, leading Barry to file a complaint in October 2012. The Director of Public Prosecutions later decided not to prosecute the child abuse allegation, and in November 2015 the DPP also declined to prosecute Barry's claim that Comyns had perverted the course of justice due to insufficient evidence. Barry alleges that Comyns directed him to cover up the abuse and that he was subsequently targeted, refusing to attend briefings and phone calls from Comyns. Barry maintains that the allegations are unfounded, while Comyns denies any wrongdoing. The Disclosures Tribunal is hearing the case in Dublin Castle, with Barry presenting his evidence and the opposing counsel arguing against the allegations. The tribunal will resume its hearings next week.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda says he was told by senior officer to 'cover up' child sex abuse allegation. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

November 2015 Other
October 2012 Other
August 2, 2012 Other
August 6, 2012 Other
March 29, 2013 Other
June 2014 Other
2022-05-27 Publication

Why: Today at the tribunal, which is being held in Dublin Castle, Mr Barry told Mark Harty SC, for Supt Comyns, that he would not directly communicate with Supt Comyns, who was his district officer based in Fermoy Garda Station, because of the bullying complaint that he initiated in October 2012. CNI source report