Courts / Cork / Report

Chief Superintendent tells tribunal he was 'taken aback' by medical cert

Date
2022-06-02

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Mitchelstown

County
Cork

Summary

In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Chief Superintendent Gerard Dillane described a medical certificate issued to Sergeant Paul Barry as "taken aback" and "frustrating." The certificate, written by Dr Margaret‑Anne Kiely in April 2013, declared Barry fit to return to work but prohibited him from attending Fermoy Garda Station, citing work‑related stress and an unsafe environment. Dillane said he had never seen such a certificate in his 34‑year career and feared it could set a trend. He explained that the certificate's conditions were "neither reasonable nor practicable," and that he offered Barry a transfer to Glanmire or another station, which Barry refused. Barry had been absent for 239 days from August 2012 and returned to work on 29 March 2013 after financial pressure. The tribunal continues to examine the allegations of bullying and harassment involving Barry, Supt Michael Comyns, and senior Gardaí.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Chief Superintendent tells tribunal he was 'taken aback' by medical cert. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

November 2015 Other
April 2013 Other
13 September Other
April 4, 2013 Other
March 28, 2013 Other
March 29, 2013 Other
August 6, 2012 Other
2022-06-02 Publication

Why: Chief Supt Dillane said that he told Mr Barry that he could recommend a move to Glanmire in order to facilitate Mr Barry but that if this offer or the offer of other stations were to be refused, that Garda Human Resource Management (HRM) would select a transfer for him. CNI source report