Conference draws attention to DPP role in Curtin case

THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is to host a conference on combating child pornography this Saturday at a time when its failings in the collapse of the Brian Curtin case have yet to be publicly explained.

A spokeswoman for the DPP’s office said she did not know if the case would be discussed at the conference, which takes place in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin.

The conference was arranged some time ago, she added, and it was entirely coincidental that it was taking place in the midst of the current controversy.

Judge Curtin was acquitted of possessing child pornography last month after the warrant used to search his home was found to have been out of date.

In directing the jury to acquit Judge Curtin, Judge Carroll Moran severely criticised the DPP’s office, saying its submissions on the validity of the warrant were “untenable” and “nonsensical”.

He said the DPP’s office must have been aware of the problem and the case should never have been brought to trial.

Subsequently, amid calls for his resignation, the DPP, James Hamilton, issued a report to the Government on the matter, but did not comment publicly on his office’s handling of the affair.

On May 4, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern indicated no action would be taken on the DPP’s report until the Cabinet had dealt with Judge Curtin.

The Cabinet is expected to take the first steps towards impeaching the judge today, when it meets to discuss legal advice from the Attorney General, Rory Brady.

Meanwhile, the DPP’s office has to decide whether Judge Curtin should face unrelated charges after his recent arrest in Tralee on suspicion of drink-driving.

A decision is expected in the coming weeks.