Courts / Cork / Report

Retired garda tells tribunal he couldn't have conspired to put sergeant 'in harm's way'

Summary

In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing on 3 June 2022, retired Garda Superintendent John Quilter testified that he could not have conspired with other senior officers to place former Sergeant Paul Barry in a room with Superintendent Michael Comyns during the 2014 Irish Open. Quilter said he had booked a family holiday in December 2013, a month before the tournament location was announced, and therefore could not have planned the arrangement. Barry, who had been physically ill during the event, claimed that the presence of Comyns at a pre‑event briefing caused his sickness and that he was targeted by both Quilter and Comyns. Quilter acknowledged taking Barry's concerns into account but stated he had organised cover at the superintendent level from December 2013, noting that a garden festival in Mallow left Comyns as the only available superintendent. The tribunal will resume its hearings on 14 June.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Retired garda tells tribunal he couldn't have conspired to put sergeant 'in harm's way'. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• December 2013 Other
• November 2015 Other
• August 6, 2012 Other
• March 29, 2013 Other
• June 14 Other
• 2022-06-03 Publication

Why: "Yes, because it made me physically sick," said Mr Barry. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report