Curtin wants taxpayer to pay legal bill

DISGRACED judge Brian Curtin has asked that the taxpayer foot the estimated €500,000 legal bill to cover the cost of his bid to prevent an Oireachtas Committee from investigating child pornography allegations against him.

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the committee was entitled to investigate the allegations against the judge who remains on full salary since he was suspended in 2002.

Since his arrest and suspension in 2002, Judge Curtin has earned almost €500,000 and will remain on full pay pending the outcome of the Oireachtas Committee. This year alone, he stands to earn €149,461.