Curtin computer to be examined
The machine, which is being kept by gardaí, will be inspected by a British technical expert chosen by the Oireachtas committee probing the circuit judge’s conduct.
An expert appointed by the judge will also trawl through its contents at the same time.
Committee chairman and Cork TD, Denis O’Donovan, said he was aware of public impatience on the issue, but he had to ensure fairness in the dealings between the Oireachtas and the judge.
“I know this is a matter of great concern to many people, but we are moving as fast as we can,” he said.
The committee has agreed that taxpayers will foot the judge’s legal bill, estimated at up to, €1 million as he battles against possible impeachment.
The Oireachtas inquiry was set up after the Circuit Court judge was suspected of possessing child pornography in April 2004. It was subsequently ruled gardaí had improperly executed a search warrant that led to the seizure of a personal computer.
Mr O’Donovan said he expected the committee would provide a progress report to the Oireachtas by the end of July.
This could help pave the way for an impeachment motion to be debated in the autumn.
However, concern has been raised due to the fact the committee must complete its inquiry before it is automatically dissolved when the next General Election is called, sometime within the next 12 months.
If it fails to deliver its full report before the election, the judge will remain in office.
Judge Curtin, who acted as a Circuit Court judge for just six months after his appointment in November 2001, has been on full pay, currently €149,461 a year, since he ceased hearing cases after a garda raid on his home in 2002.
