The High Court has reserved judgment on a challenge by Circuit Court Judge Brian Curtin to the mechanism set up by the Oireachtas to investigate and gather evidence into his alleged misbehaviour.
Closing submissions on behalf of Judge Curtin were made yesterday by John Rogers SC.
Judge Curtin was acquitted last year by direction of Judge Carroll Moran in Tralee Circuit Court of possessing child pornography after Judge Moran ruled that an out of date search warrant was used by gardaí to seize the judge's computer and other material.
Subsequently, the Oireachtas informed Judge Curtin of proposed procedures for his removal from office for stated misbehaviour. A motion calling for his removal was adjourned pending receipt of a report from a select committee set up to investigate and receive evidence. The committee was directed not to make any findings of fact or make recommendations or express any opinion to the Oireachtas.