Statement on behalf of Brian Curtin issued at 5 pm yesterday by his solicitor
Resignation
Brian Curtin has today, with regret, had to resign his office as a judge of the Circuit Court on the ground of permanent incapacity, due to ill-health. The medical advice he has received has left him with no option. He has very recently been diagnosed with organic brain damage, a diagnosis confirmed by MRI scan. He wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who have been so good to him over the years and in particular in the recent past when his health deteriorated due to the stress he had to endure.
Privacy
As the Committee has conducted its business in private Mr Curtin has no intention of trespassing on that privacy.
He has suffered ill-health for a number of years now and his condition has been exacerbated by the breaches of privacy perpetrated on him over the past four and a half years.
He has not engaged with the press or allowed his lawyers to do so although his solicitor did appeal on one occasion that he be left alone. He has been virtually a prisoner in his own home.
Without any finding on tested evidence he has been treated as a condemned man from day one. In 2004 in a public court he pleaded not guilty to the charge against him. Now in 2006 he repeats that plea of not guilty. He wishes to leave it at that as he has reached such a stage of ill health that he cannot continue the fight and so has brought the matter to an end. This is a source of frustration for Mr Curtin and his family.
Thanks
He wishes to thank a number of people:
- His father and his daughter who have endured so much
- His neighbours in Tralee, in Ard na Ri particularly
- Those friends and colleagues who stood by him
- Patrick MacEntee SC, John Rogers SC, James O'Reilly SC, Paul Burns SC, Cian Ferriter BL.
- And last but not least he especially wishes to thank his solicitor Robert Pierse.
Future
The last number of years have been a living hell for Brian Curtin. Both his health and his spirit have been broken. He wishes simply to be left alone to live out such further time as God may allow him in peace and quiet. He would ask that his privacy and that of his family be respected from here on.
Robert Pierse, Solicitor
Monday 13 November 2006