Paul Barry gave evidence on alleged child abuse cover-up

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Retired Garda Sergeant Paul Barry gave evidence at the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle on 27 May 2022 about alleged bullying and a claimed attempt to cover up a child sexual abuse allegation.

Barry, formerly based at Mitchelstown Garda Station in Co Cork, said Superintendent Michael Comyns directed him to cover up the allegation and bullied him. Comyns denies the claims, describing them as unfounded and vexatious.

The report said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed no prosecution over the child sexual assault allegation. After a criminal investigation, the DPP directed in November 2015 that there be no prosecution over Barry's claim that Comyns had perverted the course of justice, due to a lack of evidence.