Circuit Court judge Gerard O'Brien resigns after conviction last month

Gerard O Brien. File Picture: IrishPhotoDesk.ie

Sat, 06 Jan, 2024 - 17:29

Circuit Court Judge Gerard O'Brien has resigned, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has confirmed.

Mr O'Brien, 59, from Thurles in Co Tipperary, was last month convicted of the sexual assault of six young men, some of whom were former students at the school in Dublin where he was a teacher.

The four-week trial heard that the alleged offences occurred on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Dublin. He was in his 30s at the time of the alleged offences, while the complainants were then aged between 17 and 24.

Sentencing in the case was adjourned to March 4 when victim-impact statements are expected to be heard.

In a statement this afternoon, Mc McEntee said Mr O'Brien's resignation was effective from Friday, January 5, 2024.

"The resignation has been conveyed to the President in accordance with the requirements of section 6 (2) of the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act 1961," she said.

Mc McEntee added that she would be making "no further comment on this matter prior to the court finalising the case by sentencing, which is adjourned to 4 March."