Councillors call on Judge Curtin to resign

COUNCILLORS in Tralee have called on Circuit Court Judge Brian Curtin to resign from his position.

The 56-year-old judge was acquitted on charges of possessing child pornography two weeks ago when the trial in Tralee Circuit Court collapsed.

Now a majority of councillors in his home town of Tralee have urged him to resign

“I don’t think his position is tenable. He had an opportunity to clear his name after the case collapsed but he didn’t do it,” said Fianna Fáil councillor Johnny Wall, who added he had known the judge “all his life”.

Another Fianna Fáil councillor, Ted Fitzgerald, said the judge should go.

“In the interest of justice, some arrangement should be made for him to retire. People couldn’t have confidence in him,” he said.

Judge Curtin must respond tomorrow to a deadline set last week by the Government, which is seeking an explanation of the questions raised by the case.

In Tralee, there are at least 20 candidates canvassing for 12 council seats. According to Sinn Féin councillor Cathal Foley, the collapse of the case is being raised on every doorstep.

“People are very angry about it. There’s no one that has any sympathy for him,” he said.

Mr Foley said there was “no way” Mr Curtin could remain as a Judge.

Sinn Féin councillor Risteárd Pierse said the judge must resign. “His position is untenable and he has questions to answer,” he said.

One of the three Labour councillors in Tralee is Miriam McGillicuddy, the estranged wife of Judge Curtin.

For this reason, neither Labour councillor Maeve Spring nor Cllr Terry O’Brien wished to comment on the case.

But Mr O’Brien, who is the Mayor of Tralee, said the judge should respond to the questions posed in the Government letter.

Privately, councillors believe Ms McGillicuddy has been subjected to unfair media attention and have expressed sympathy for her. She began campaigning to be re-elected to Tralee Town Council last week.

Judge Curtin is still on full pay of €130,000 per year and his prospects of remaining in the job depend upon him satisfying the Government of no wrongdoing on his behalf.

The Government has stated he will not get any pay-off to resign, or receive any compensation if he is impeached.