Circuit court judge on child porn charge after raid

THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions has made an unprecedented decision to prosecute a sitting circuit court judge arising out of a major garda investigation into child pornography.

Judge Brian Curtin who sits on the Cork Circuit is scheduled to appear before Tralee District Court on January 15 on a charge of possession of child pornography under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998.

If convicted on indictment Judge Curtin faces a fine not exceeding €6,348 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.