Ahern: Curtin was listed as suspected paedophile
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed today that Judge Brian Curtin’s name was on a list of suspected paedophiles before his appointment to the bench.
He also admitted he was not certain if the Judicial Appointments Board carried out routine security checks.
“A Brian Curtin from Tralee, Co Kerry, was one of over 100 names on an Interpol list received in August 2001,” he said.
“But gardaí were not to know he was a senior counsel being considered by the Board to be appointed to the bench.”
He said gardaí would have had no way of knowing Judge Curtin’s position and thus had not advised the then Justice Minister John O’Donoghue of his inclusion on the list.
Judge Curtin was appointed to the bench in November 2001 and was prosecuted in May 2002 for being knowingly in possession of child pornography.
He was later acquitted of the charges when his trial collapsed.
It emerged the Garda warrant used to search his Tralee home was out of date.
Mr Ahern said it was “highly unlikely” security checks were carried out on those being considered for the judiciary.
He said even if they were, in this case, Judge Curtin would almost certainly have escaped attention as he did not have a criminal conviction.
Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny said the latest revelations highlighted a major shortfall in the judicial appointments procedure.
“It is clear that the Judicial Appointments Board has the power to consult with persons concerning the suitability of applicants,” he said.
“The apparent failure to do so highlights a major shortfall in the operation of that board when recommending such sensitive appointments.”
He said if contact had been made it would appear the appointment would not have been made and asked Mr Ahern to examine the apparent gap in the system.
