Ex-garda 'hated' going back to work at Cork station where he says superiors had 'bullied' him

Sgt Paul Barry pictured at the Disclosures Tribunal today says he was out sick for 239 days in total. Picture: Gareth Chaney

A former garda sergeant has told the Disclosures Tribunal that he "hated" being forced to return to work for financial reasons after making his complaints of being bullied and targeted by superiors.

The tribunal is hearing from retired Gda Sgt Paul Barry, formerly of Mitchelstown Garda Station in Co. Cork, who made a protected disclosure that the proper investigation of a child sexual assault allegation was prevented by a superintendent, who he says bullied and harassed him. The Director of Public Prosecutions later directed there be no prosecution on the child sex assault allegation.