when Annette dies in a fire caused by her new partner Bill Taylor. When The Northside Post is sold, Barry becomes a barman. Cleo Collins When pupil Cleo Collins is bullied at school, she decides to leave. Her foster mother Dolores Molloy speaks to O'Hanlon about this and he convinces her to return to school. Cleo later thanks Barry for helping her to become a chef. She makes a special dinner for her mother, for her boyfriend Pierce, and for Barry. Criminal suspect/convict Barry is wrongfully accused of paedophilia. In 2011, Barry becomes involved in a murder storyline. He accidentally murders his friend Sarah O'Leary and – witnessed by resident thug Denzo Bishop – the pair contrive a plan to hide her body. He is eventually caught and locked up in jail, thus departing Carrigstown. However, he is not killed off, leaving the door open for a return. In September 2019, it was announced that Barry would be returning to the soap after 8 years away. His return will coincide with the show's 30th anniversary. Reception Nolan won a Golden Rose Award in the "Best Soap Actor" category at the international Rose d'Or Festival in Switzerland in May 2005. Nolan's portrayal of Barry has earned the admiration of elderly ladies. References External links Profile of Barry O'Hanlon at Fair City Barry O'Hanlon: Where did it all go so wrong? Fair City characters Fictional bartenders Fictional characters with psychiatric disorders Fictional murderers Fictional newspaper editors Fictional principals and headteachers Fictional secretaries Fictional schoolteachers Heads of schools in Ireland Male characters in television