Government set for Curtin impeachment

The Government is on the verge of taking the watershed decision to seek the removal from office of a serving judge for the first time in the history of the State.

On the eve of tomorrow's Cabinet meeting to consider Judge Brian Curtin's explanation as to how child pornographic images were downloaded onto his computer, a senior Minister has given the strongest possible indication that the Government will immediately begin impeachment moves against the judge.

Arts Minister John O'Donoghue said last night that the Government would reach a clear decision tomorrow and that it may well be that its decision would be "put before the Dáil by means of resolution". That was taken to be a clear reference to an impeachment motion.