Judge convicted of sexually abusing six young men resigns with immediate effect

A Circuit Court judge who was convicted of the sexual abuse of six young men following a trial, which concluded just before Christmas, has resigned from the bench with immediate effect.

Gerard O’Brien, aged 59, of Old School House, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary had pleaded not guilty, at the Central Criminal Court, to one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault in relation to six complainants on dates between March 1991 and November 1997 at locations in Co. Dublin.

However, he was convicted by a jury which returned guilty verdicts following more than seven hours of deliberations.

Mr O'Brien was in his 30s at the time of the offending while the six complainants were then aged between 17 and 24.

During the trial, the court heard O’Brien was appointed a Circuit Court judge in 2015 and had worked as a solicitor for over 20 years before his appointment.

In a brief statement, issued this Saturday evening, the Department of Justice confirmed that Judge O'Brien has now tendered his resignation.

"The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee T.D., has confirmed that Circuit Court Judge Gerard O’Brien conveyed his resignation today (Saturday), 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."

Statement from Minister @HMcEntee pic.twitter.com/b7xdaNAaYR

— Department of Justice (@DeptJusticeIRL) January 6, 2024

The statement adds that the Minister will not be making any further comment prior O'Brien's sentencing hearing which has been set for March 4.