As a result of credit card usage information received from the US investigation into Landslide Productions, an Irish Judge was prosecuted for possession of child pornography in Ireland but the prosecution failed because the search warrant was out of date. The search warrant was valid for seven days from its date of issue, but the police incorrectly interpreted this as seven 24-hour periods rather than seven calendar days. The Irish Government has moved on 2nd June 2004 to remove the Judge from office by means of a motion before the Oireachtas (Parliament). Before passing the motion, a speedy amendment to the child pornography law was made to allow members of the Oireachtas to possess child pornography in the course of the investigation. The Judge is now seeking a declaration from the courts that any evidence which was declared inadmissible in the criminal trial cannot be used in determining the motion for his removal.
Sample media reports:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0423/curtinb
http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0527/curtin
http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0518/curtinb
http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0526/curtinb
http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0602/curtin.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3771287.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3655115.stm
Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998:
http://www.bailii.org/ie/legis/num_act/ctapa1998303/
Child Trafficking and Pornography (Amendment) Act 2004:
http://www.feargalquinn.ie/m/mchildporn.htm
The Curtin Affair in the Oireachtas:
http://www.feargalquinn.ie/curtin.htm
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