Judge Curtin resigns from bench

A Government spokeswoman has confirmed that Judge Brian Curtin has tendered his letter of resignation to the Government today.

Mr Curtin is to retire on a full state pension after being a member of the judiciary until November 1 this year.

Mr Curtin was acquitted in April 2004 of possession of child pornography by direction of the trial judge after it emerged gardaí used an out-of-date search warrant.

They raided his home in Tralee, Co Kerry in May 2002 and seized his personal computer, but the evidence gathered was later deemed inadmissible.

A Dáil inquiry to investigate allegations of stated misbehaviour on the part of the judge has now been halted.

That committee's investigation was to precede moves by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to have Mr Curtin removed from the bench.

Mr McDowell said no deal had been done between the state and Brian Curtin.

In a statement, he said there was no question that there would be any payment by the state over the judge's statutory entitlement.