Committee set for more delays in Curtin case

THE work of the Oireachtas committee probing the conduct of Judge Brian Curtin will be further delayed, it emerged last night.

The cross-party committee, chaired by Fianna Fáil TD Denis O’Donovan, was due to begin closed hearings on Monday.

However, Mr Curtin’s legal team sought what sources described as “a substantial adjournment”.

The committee agreed to grant an adjournment of one week to allow the judge’s legal team additional time to prepare its case.

There was speculation last night, however, that Mr Curtin’s team may be considering a fresh application to the High Court.

The committee will now await the next steps of the judge’s team.

The work of the committee has already been heavily delayed by previous legal challenges by Mr Curtin.

The judge was acquitted of having child pornography in April 2004 after the warrant used to seize his computer was found to be out of date.

The committee, comprising seven TDs and senators, was established shortly after to probe his conduct.

However, Mr Curtin launched a legal challenge to the High Court, claiming the committee was acting unconstitutionally.

When the challenge failed, he appealed unsuccessfully to the Supreme Court, which ruled in favour of the committee in March this year.

The committee was suspended for the 18 months it took the courts to deal with issue.

The committee had hoped to begin approximately two weeks of closed hearings on Monday, with a view to finalising its report and submitting it to the Oireachtas by mid-December. The Oireachtas will use the report to decide whether to impeach Mr Curtin.

Mr Curtin has been on full pay of almost €150,000 a year since he ceased hearing cases in the wake of the Garda raid on his home in 2002.

He has been eligible for retirement on part-pension of €25,000 since November 1. Should he retire, it is understood the eligibility of that pension would not be affected. However, there has been no indication to date that the judge will apply for retirement.