Mr Justice Declan Costello has stepped down from the High Court inspector's inquiry into the Ansbacher deposits for health reasons, a Government spokeswoman said last night.
The judge told the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, he was retiring from the investigation on medical advice, the spokeswoman said.
Ms Harney is to ask the High Court to appoint an additional inspector in his place.
Mr Justice Costello was one of three judges overseeing the investigation into the Cayman Islands accounts. The inquiry was due to complete its work by the end of this year or by early 2001.
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"Justice Costello has stepped down from the inquiry after receiving medical advice," the Government spokeswoman said.