Judge faces impeachment bid

Judge Curtin was acquitted of child pornography possession

The Irish Government is to begin impeachment proceedings against a judge who was acquitted of having child pornography after the case against him collapsed.

Judge Brian Curtin was found not guilty last month after it was revealed in court that the search warrant used by police had expired.

He was asked by the Irish Government earlier this month to explain his conduct and to account for his credit card transactions.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dail on Tuesday that the cabinet had decided to establish a joint parliamentary committee to investigate the case.

He said that he hoped to put a motion to the house on the impeachment of the judge no later than next Tuesday.

Mr Ahern said the committee would meet in private and would comprise members of both the Irish Senate and the Dail.

He said the committee would receive all reports from the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Garda Commissioner as well as any other relevant papers.

'Open mind'

The committee would be able to gather evidence - including by video link - and make a report, but could not draw conclusions.

Mr Ahern said this was a matter for TDs and senators, whom he asked to keep an open mind on the affair.

He stressed that Judge Curtin would be given fair procedure, and added that he would brief the opposition parties on the issues involved.

Judge Curtin believes he is an innocent man and told the Irish Government that it was inappropiate, given the independence of the judiciary, for him to give explanations for the use of his credit card and the alleged discovery of child pornography on his computer.

The impeachment of a judge would be unprecedented in the Irish Republic.