A retired Garda sergeant has claimed a superintendent compromised an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a minor in which a suspect was “connected” to two other senior officers.
The claim by Sgt Paul Barry was outlined at the Disclosures Tribunal which today began hearings into allegations the retired officer was subject to bullying and harassment after making a series of protected disclosures.
Tribunal counsel Sinead McGrath said Sgt Barry was stationed at Mitchelstown Garda Station in Co Cork at the time of the investigation in 2012 and remained there until his retirement in 2016.
Opening the tribunal’s latest module at Dublin Castle, Ms McGrath said that following a report of alleged sexual assault of a minor, investigating members became aware one of the alleged suspects was connected to both Superintendent John Quilter, the district officer for Midleton, and his brother, then Chief Superintendent Tony Quilter, who later became assistant commissioner for the Southern Region.
She said this information was conveyed to Supt Michael Comyns, who was based at Fermoy Garda Station.
Ms McGrath said that in November 2012 Sgt Barry made a statement alleging bullying and harassment after contacting An Garda Síochána’s human resources section.
In the statement, he said the “whole investigation was compromised by Supt Comyns actions and directions” and that the superintendent had perverted the course of justice.
“Supt Comyns manipulated the nature of the investigation...
MELAKA: A printing company director was arrested yesterday over suspected false claims totalling RM100,000 involving coffee table books for a former state leader. The suspect, in his 60s, was deta...