Judge found guilty of sexual assault resigns

A Circuit Court judge convicted of a series of sexual assaults has resigned from his position.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said Gerard O’Brien had conveyed his resignation on Saturday, effective from the preceding day.

Last month, O’Brien, 59, from Thurles in Co Tipperary, was found guilty of six counts of sexual assault on young males in the 1990s – a period when he was a secondary school teacher in Co Dublin.

Ms McEntee had been facing calls to remove the judge from post.

In the wake of the conviction, she had said she would consult with the attorney general on the matter.

A statement on Saturday from the Department of Justice said: “The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has confirmed that Circuit Court Judge Gerard O’Brien conveyed his resignation today, effective from January 5.

“The resignation has been conveyed to the president in accordance with the requirements of section 6 (2) of the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act 1961.

“The minister will be making no further comment on this matter prior to the court finalising the case by sentencing, which is adjourned to March 4.”