Former Circuit Court judge Brian Curtin has finalised his pension arrangements with the State almost five months after he announced his resignation from the bench.
Judge Curtin (54) was taken off the State payroll from his €149,000-a-year job when he informed the Government by letter on November 13th last that he was resigning following his failed attempt to stop a Dáil committee from starting hearings into his conduct.
The inquiry followed the dismissal of charges against Judge Curtin for possession of child pornography on the basis a Garda raid on his Tralee home was undertaken using an out-of-date warrant.
Article 35.1 of the Constitution provides for the removal of judges if they are found guilty of "stated misbehaviour".
The Irish Times understands that Judge Curtin is to receive a lump sum of €57,447 plus an annual pension of €19,149 which will be backdated to November 13th. The Cabinet was informed of the move yesterday.
He qualifies for the payments under section 6 of the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act, 1961 as he had served more than five years on the Circuit Court.
Under the Constitution, the pension entitlements of a judge are regulated by law and a judge who resigns owing to permanent infirmity may apply for the payment of a reduced pension.
After his resignation, Judge Curtin submitted medical evidence to the Department of Justice and the chief medical examiner has concluded he is eligible for retirement on ill-health grounds.
When he resigned, Judge Curtin's solicitor, Robert Pierse, said in a statement that his client had resigned "with regret".