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Number 19 of 1983
COURTS-MARTIAL APPEALS ACT, 1983
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Courts-Martial Appeal Court
Establishment and constitution of the Courts-Martial Appeal Court. | |
Legal Aid
Acts Referred to | |
1954, No. 18 | |
Defence Acts, 1954 to 1979 | |
Number 19 of 1983
COURTS-MARTIAL APPEALS ACT, 1983
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Courts-Martial Appeals Act, 1983.
Commencement of Part III.
2.—Part III of this Act shall come into operation on such day as may be fixed therefor by order of the Minister.
Definitions.
3.—In this Act—
“the Act of 1954” means the Defence Act, 1954;
“the Court” means the Courts-Martial Appeal Court established by section 9;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Defence.
Expenses.
4.—The expenses incurred by a Minister of the Government in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Amendment of section 202 of Act of 1954.
5.—Section 202 of the Act of 1954 is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1):
“(b) the court-martial shall order that such person be kept in custody in an institution suitable for the detention of such person until such time as he is fit to take his trial or until his release is sooner ordered by the Minister or the High Court, which court shall for that purpose have all the powers which a judge of the Central Criminal Court would have had if the case had been tried before him.”, and
(b) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (2):
“(2) A finding under this section shall not require confirmation or be subject to revision.”,
and that section, as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
202.—(1) Where at the trial by court-martial of a person charged with an offence it appears that such person is by reason of insanity unfit to take his trial, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the court-martial shall find specially that fact;
(b) the court-martial shall order that such person be kept in custody in an institution suitable for the detention of such person until such time as he is fit to take his trial or until his release is sooner ordered by the Minister or the High Court, which court shall for that purpose have all the powers which a judge of the Central Criminal Court would have had if the case had been tried before him.
(2) A finding under this section shall not require confirmation or be subject to revision.
Amendment of section 203 of Act of 1954.
6.—Section 203 of the Act of 1954 is hereby amended—
(a) by the substitution of the following paragraph for paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1):
“(b) the court-martial shall order that such person be kept in custody in an institution suitable for the detention of such person until further order of the High Court, which court shall for that purpose have all the powers which a judge of the Central Criminal Court would have had if such person had been tried before him.”, and
(b) by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (2):
“(2) A finding under this section shall not require confirmation or be subject to revision.”,
and that section, as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
203.—(1) Where at the trial by court-martial of a person charged with an offence it appears that such person did the act or made the omission charged, but was insane at the time when he did the said act or made the said omission, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) the court-martial shall find specially that the accused was guilty of the act or omission charged but was insane at the time he did the act or made the omission;
(b) the court-martial shall order that such person be kept in custody in an institution suitable for the detention of such person until further order of the High Court, which court shall for that purpose have all the powers which a judge of the Central Criminal Court would have had if such person had been tried before him.
(2) A finding under this section shall not require confirmation or be subject to revision.
Amendment of section 215 of Act of 1954.
7.—Section 215 of the Act of 1954 is hereby amended by the substitution for “Subject to section 204,” of “Subject to sections 202 to 204,” and that section, as so amended, is set out in the Table to this section.
TABLE
215.—Subject to sections 202 to 204, the finding and sentence of a court-martial shall not be valid except in so far as the same may be confirmed by a confirming authority under this Chapter.
Restriction of section 224 of Act of 1954.
8.—Section 224 of the Act of 1954 (quashing of finding of court-martial) shall not have effect in relation to the finding or sentence of a court-martial against which the person convicted may, by virtue of an order under section 24 of this Act, appeal to the Court.
PART II
Courts-Martial Appeal Court
Establishment and constitution of the Courts-Martial Appeal Court.
9.—(1) A Court of Appeal, which shall be called An Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna (The Courts-Martial Appeal Court) and is referred to in this Act as “the Court”, is hereby established.
(2) For the purpose of hearing and determining any particular appeal cognisable by the Court, the Court shall be summoned in accordance with directions to be given by the Chief Justice, and the Court shall be duly constituted if it consists of not less than three judges—
(a) of whom one shall be either—
(i) the Chief Justice, or
(ii) an ordinary judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice, and
(b) of whom the other two shall be either—
(i) two ordinary judges of the High Court nominated by the Chief Justice, or
(ii) the President of the High Court, if nominated by the Chief Justice and willing to act, and one ordinary judge of the High Court nominated by the Chief Justice,
but any other available judge or judges of the Supreme Court or the High Court may, at the request of the Chief Justice, attend as a member or members of the Court.
Court to be a superior court of record, etc.
10.—The Court shall be a superior court of record and shall, for the purposes and subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act, have full power to determine any questions necessary to be determined for the purpose of doing justice in the case before it.
Registrar of the Court.
11.—(1) The Registrar of the Supreme Court shall act as Registrar of the Court and shall perform and fulfil in relation to the Court all such duties and functions as are usually performed and fulfilled by the registrar of a court, and shall also have and exercise such powers and authorities and perform and fulfil such duties and functions as shall from time to time be assigned to him by statute or by rule of court under section 23 of this Act.
(2) The Registrar of the Supreme Court shall be subject to the directions of the Chief Justice in regard to all matters relating to the conduct of that part of the business of the Court which is for the time being required by law to be transacted by or before one or more of the judges of the Court.
(3) The business of the Court (except such business as is for the time being required by law to be transacted by or before one or more of the judges of the Court) shall be transacted in the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court.
Sittings and procedure of the Court.
12.—(1) The Court shall sit in Dublin except in cases where the Chief Justice gives special directions that it shall sit elsewhere.
(2) The President of the Court shall be such member present as shall be entitled to precedence over the other members, and the determination of all questions before the Court shall be according to the opinion of the majority of the members present but, unless the Court directs to the contrary, the judgment of the Court shall be pronounced by the President of the Court, or by such other member of the Court as the President directs, and no judgment with respect to the determination of any question shall be separately pronounced by any other member of the Court.
Right of appeal to the Court.
13.—A person convicted by a court-martial may appeal to the Court against the finding or sentence (when confirmed) of the court-martial or against both such finding and such sentence.
Appeal to the Supreme Court.
14.—(1) The determination by the Court of any appeal or other matter which it has power to determine shall be final, and no appeal shall lie from the Court to the Supreme Court, unless the Court or the Attorney General shall certify that the decision involves a point of law of exceptional public importance and that it is desirable in the public interest that an appeal by the person convicted should be taken to the Supreme Court, in which case an appeal may be brought by him to the Supreme Court, the decision of which shall be final and conclusive.
(2) Where, on a question of law, an appeal to the Court is decided in favour of the appellant, the respondent to the appeal may, without prejudice to the decision in favour of the appellant, refer the question of law to the Supreme Court for determination.
(3) The statement of the question of law to be referred to the Supreme Court under subsection (2) of this section shall be settled by the Attorney General.
(4) The Supreme Court shall assign counsel to argue in support of the decision referred to in subsection (2) of this section.
Interlocutory applications.
15.—Where a person convicted by a court-martial appeals to the Court, any interlocutory application in relation to the appeal may be heard and determined by the Chief Justice or by any judge of the Supreme Court nominated by the Chief Justice for that purpose.
Consequential orders of the Court.
16.—Where a person convicted by a court-martial gives notice of appeal to the Court, the Court shall have power to make all consequential orders it may think fit, including—
(a) in the case of an appellant who is a member of the Defence Forces, an order suspending the operation of a sentence of penal servitude, imprisonment or detention pending the determination of the appeal, and
(b) in the case of an appellant who is not a member of the Defence Forces, an order admitting the appellant to bail on such terms as the Court thinks proper pending the determination of the appeal.
Hearing of appeal by the Court.
17.—(1) An appeal to the Court shall be heard and determined by the Court on the proceedings of the trial of the appellant, with power to the Court to hear new or additional evidence and to refer any matter for report by the president or the judge-advocate of the court-martial by which the appellant was tried.
(2) Where the Court is satisfied that the obtaining of a report from the president of the court-martial is impracticable or would involve undue delay, it may refer the matter for report by any other member of the court-martial.
Jurisdiction of the Court.
18.—(1) The Court shall have jurisdiction to affirm or to reverse the conviction in whole or in part, and to remit, or to reduce, or to increase or otherwise vary the sentence, and generally to make such order, including any order as to costs, as may be necessary for the purpose of doing justice in the case before the Court.
(2) The Court may, notwithstanding that it is of opinion that a point raised in an appeal might be decided in favour of the appellant, dismiss the appeal if it considers that no miscarriage of justice has actually occurred.
(3) Where the Court reverses a conviction in whole, the Court shall have jurisdiction to make an order authorising the person in respect of whom the conviction was obtained to be re-tried for the same offence as that which was the subject of the conviction and shall order that the costs of the appeal and of the new trial of the accused person shall be paid by the State, unless the Court shall be of opinion that the necessity for the appeal and the new trial has been caused or contributed to by the defence.
(4) Whenever an order for a re-trial is made under this section, the person in respect of whose conviction the order was made may, notwithstanding anything in the Act of 1954 or any rule of law, be again charged and tried and, if found guilty, sentenced for the offence which was the subject of the conviction.
Finding of guilty but insane.
19.—If on any appeal it appears to the Court that, although the appellant did the act or made the omission charged against him, he was insane at the time when the act was done or the omission was made so as not to be responsible according to law for the act or omission, the Court may quash the sentence passed at the trial and order the appellant to be kept in custody in like manner as if the case had been determined by the Court of Criminal Appeal on appeal from a conviction on indictment.
Convictions and sentences of the Court, etc.
20.—(1) Where on any appeal the Court substitutes a conviction of a different offence or substitutes a different sentence, that conviction or sentence shall, for the purposes of the Defence Acts, 1954 to 1979, and any instrument made thereunder, be deemed to be a duly confirmed finding or sentence of a court-martial.
(2) Notwithstanding section 206 of the Act of 1954, the Court may by order provide for the date on which a sentence substituted by it, or passed by a court-martial and not varied by the Court, shall commence or take effect.
Postponement of execution of sentence of death.
21.—In the case of a sentence of death passed by a court-martial—
(a) the sentence shall not in any case be executed until after the expiration of the time within which notice of appeal to the Court may be given in accordance with rules of court, and
(b) if such notice is so given, the appeal shall be heard and determined with as much expedition as practicable, and the sentence shall not be executed until after the determination of the appeal.
Defence of appeal.
22.—The defence of an appeal under this Part of this Act shall be undertaken by the person who convened the court-martial by which the appellant was tried or by his successor in office duly empowered to convene courts-martial.
Rules of court.
23.—The Superior Courts Rules Committee shall, with the concurrence of the Minister for Justice, make rules of court for the purposes of this Part of this Act.
Application of Part II.
24.—The provisions of this Part of this Act shall have effect in relation to convictions by courts-martial of which the findings are or were promulgated on or after such day (whether before or after the passing of this Act) as the Minister may fix by order under this section.
PART III
Legal Aid
Definitions for Part III.
25.—In this Part of this Act—
“legal aid certificate” means a legal aid (preliminary proceedings) certificate, a legal aid (court-martial) certificate, a legal aid (Courts-Martial Appeal Court) certificate or a legal aid (Supreme Court) certificate;
“the prescribed authority” means the person prescribed by regulations under section 33 of this Act to be the prescribed authority for the purposes of this Part of this Act.
Legal aid (preliminary proceedings) certificate.
26.—Where—
(a) a person (in this section referred to as “the accused”) is charged with an offence against military law, and
(b) rules made by the Minister under section 240 of the Act of 1954 permit the accused to be represented by counsel or by a solicitor at the investigation of the charge or the taking down of the evidence pursuant to such rules (or at both such investigation and such taking down of evidence),
then, if it appears to the prescribed authority—
(i) that the means of the accused are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid, and
(ii) that by reason of the gravity of the charge or of exceptional circumstances it is essential in the interests of justice that he should have legal aid at the investigation of the charge or the taking down of the evidence (or at both such investigation and such taking down of evidence),
the prescribed authority shall, on application being made to him in that behalf, grant in respect of the accused a certificate for free legal aid (in this Part of this Act referred to as “a legal aid (preliminary proceedings) certificate”) and thereupon the accused shall be entitled to such aid and to have a solicitor and (where he is charged with a capital offence or murder and the prescribed authority thinks fit) counsel assigned to him for such investigation or such taking down of evidence (or both such investigation and such taking down of evidence) in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations under section 33 of this Act.
Legal aid (court-martial) certificate.
27.—(1) Where—
(a) an order is made for the trial by court-martial of a person (in this section referred to as “the accused”), and
(b) a certificate for free legal aid (in this Part of this Act referred to as “a legal aid (court-martial) certificate”) is granted in respect of the accused by the prescribed authority,
the accused shall be entitled to free legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his defence at the trial and to have a solicitor and (where the prescribed authority thinks fit) counsel assigned to him for that purpose in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations under section 33 of this Act.
(2) A legal aid (court-martial) certificate shall be granted in respect of the accused if (but only if)—
(a) application is made therefor,
(b) it appears to the prescribed authority that the means of the accused are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid, and
(c) either—
(i) the trial is on a capital charge or a charge of murder, or
(ii) it appears to the prescribed authority that, having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including the nature of such defence, if any, as may have been set up), it is essential in the interests of justice that the accused should have legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his defence at the trial.
Legal aid (Courts-Martial Appeal Court) certificate.
28.—(1) Where—
(a) a person (in this section referred to as “the accused”) is convicted by a court-martial, and
(b) a certificate for free legal aid (in this Part of this Act referred to as “a legal aid (Courts-Martial Appeal Court) certificate”) is granted in respect of the accused by the prescribed authority or under subsection (3) of this section,
the accused shall be entitled to free legal aid in the preparation and conduct of an appeal against the finding or sentence of the court-martial or against both such finding and such sentence and to have a solicitor and counsel assigned to him for that purpose in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations under section 33 of this Act.
(2) A legal aid (Courts-Martial Appeal Court) certificate shall be granted in respect of the accused if (but only if)—
(a) application is made therefor,
(b) it appears to the prescribed authority that the means of the accused are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid, and
(c) either—
(i) the conviction is of a capital offence or murder, or
(ii) it appears to the prescribed authority that, by reason of the serious nature of the offence or of exceptional circumstances, it is essential in the interests of justice that the accused should have legal aid in the preparation and conduct of an appeal.
(3) Where the accused is refused a legal aid (Courts-Martial Appeal Court) certificate by the prescribed authority, he may apply for the certificate to the Court either—
(a) by letter addressed to the registrar of the Court setting out the facts of the case and the grounds of the application, or
(b) to the Court itself,
and the Court shall grant the certificate if (but only if)—
(i) it appears to the Court that the means of the accused are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid, and
(ii) either—
(I) the conviction is of a capital offence or murder, or
(II) it appears to the Court that, by reason of the serious nature of the offence or of exceptional circumstances, it is essential in the interests of justice that the accused should have legal aid in the preparation and conduct of an appeal.
Legal aid (Supreme Court) certificate.
29.—(1) Where—
(a) a person (in this section referred to as “the accused”) is charged with an offence against military law,
(b) an appeal is brought to the Supreme Court from a determination of the Court in relation to the offence or the punishment (if any) imposed in respect thereof, and
(c) a certificate for free legal aid (in this Part of this Act referred to as “a legal aid (Supreme Court) certificate”) is granted in respect of the accused by the Court or under subsection (3) of this section,
the accused shall be entitled to free legal aid in the preparation and conduct of his case in relation to the appeal and to have a solicitor and counsel assigned to him for that purpose in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations under section 33 of this Act.
(2) A legal aid (Supreme Court) certificate shall be granted if (but only if)—
(a) application is made therefor, and
(b) it appears to the Court that the means of the accused are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid.
(3) Where the accused is refused a legal aid (Supreme Court) certificate by the Court, he may apply for the certificate to the Supreme Court either—
(a) by letter addressed to the registrar of the Supreme Court setting out the facts of the case and the grounds of the application, or
(b) to the Supreme Court itself,
and the Supreme Court shall grant the certificate if (but only if) it appears to that court that the means of the accused are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid.
Payment of expenses of legal aid.
30.—(1) Where a legal aid (preliminary proceedings) certificate has been granted in respect of a person, any fees, costs or other expenses properly incurred in preparing and conducting the person's case in relation to the proceedings to which the certificate relates shall, subject to regulations under section 33 of this Act, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(2) Where a legal aid (court-martial) certificate has been granted in respect of a person, any fees, costs or other expenses properly incurred in preparing and conducting the defence to which the certificate relates shall, subject to regulations under section 33 of this Act, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(3) Where a legal aid (Courts-Martial Appeal Court) certificate or a legal aid (Supreme Court) certificate has been granted in respect of a person, any fees, costs or other expenses properly incurred in preparing and conducting the person's case in relation to the appeal to which the certificate relates shall, subject to regulations under section 33 of this Act, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Restriction of section 18.
31.—(1) Where a legal aid (preliminary proceedings) certificate or a legal aid (court-martial) certificate has been granted in respect of a person, the Court shall not have jurisdiction under section 18 of this Act to award costs to the person in respect of proceedings in relation to which the certificate applies.
(2) Where a legal aid (Courts-Martial Appeal Court) certificate has been granted in respect of a person, the Court shall not have jurisdiction under section 18 of this Act to award costs to the person in respect of court proceedings in relation to which the certificate applies.
Statement as to means.
32.—Before a person is granted a legal aid certificate he may be required by the prescribed authority, the court or the judge, as the case may be, granting the certificate to furnish a written statement in such form as may be prescribed by the Minister by regulations under section 33 of this Act about matters relevant for determining whether his means are insufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid.
Regulations.
33.—(1) The Minister may make regulations for carrying this Part of this Act into effect and the regulations may, in particular, prescribe—
(a) the form of legal aid certificates,
(b) the rates or scales of payment of any fees, costs or other expenses payable out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas pursuant to such certificates, and
(c) the manner in which solicitors and counsel are to be assigned pursuant to such certificates.
(2) Regulations under this section in relation to the matters specified in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall not be made without the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(3) Every regulation made by the Minister under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to anything previously done thereunder.
Penalty for false or misleading statements.
34.—(1) A person who, for the purpose of obtaining free legal aid under this Part of this Act, whether for himself or some other person, knowingly makes a false statement or false representation either verbally or in writing or knowingly conceals any material fact shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
(2) Upon conviction of a person of an offence under this section, the court by which the person is convicted may, if in the circumstances of the case the court so thinks fit, order the person to pay to the Minister the whole or part (as the court considers appropriate) of any sum paid under section 30 of this Act in respect of the free legal aid in relation to which the offence was committed, and any sum paid to the Minister pursuant to this section shall be paid into or disposed of for the benefit of the Exchequer in accordance with the directions of the Minister for Finance.
Uimhir 19 de 1983
AN tACHT UM ACHOMHAIRC ARMCHÚIRTEANNA, 1983
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Achomhairc Armchúirteanna, 1983, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme Chuid III.
2.—Tiocfaidh Cuid III den Acht seo i ngníomh cibé lá a shocrófar chuige sin le hordú ón Aire.
Mínithe.
3.—San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1954” an tAcht Cosanta, 1954;
ciallaíonn “an Chúirt” an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna a bhunaítear le halt 9;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Cosanta.
Caiteachais.
4.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh Aire den Rialtas ag riar an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Leasú ar alt 202 d'Acht 1954.
5.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 202 d'Acht 1954—
(a) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhíreanna (b) agus (c) d'fho-alt (1):
“(b) ordóidh an armchúirt go gcoinneofar an duine sin faoi choimeád in institiúid atá oiriúnach chun an duine sin a choinneáil go dtí go mbeidh sé inniúil ar a thriail a sheasamh nó go dtí go mbeidh ordaithe roimhe sin ag an Aire nó ag an Ard-Chúirt go scaoilfear saor é, agus beidh ag an gcúirt sin chun na críche sin na cumhachtaí go léir a bheadh ag breitheamh den Phríomh-Chúirt Choiriúil dá mba os a chomhair a thriailfí an cás.”, agus
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) Ní gá cinneadh faoin alt seo a dhaingniú ná ní bheidh sé faoi réir a athscrúdaithe.”,
agus tá an t-alt sin, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TÁBLA 202.—(1) Más rud é, an tráth a bheas duine a cúisíodh i gcion á thriail ag armchúirt, gur léir go bhfuil an duine sin, de dheasca gealtachta, neamhinniúil ar a thriail a sheasamh, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas, is é sin le rá:— (a) cinnfidh an armchúirt go speisialta gurb amhlaidh atá; (b) ordóidh an armchúirt go gcoinneofar an duine sin faoi choimeád in institiúid atá oiriúnach chun an duine sin a choinneáil go dtí go mbeidh sé inniúil ar a thriail a sheassamh nó go dtí go mbeidh ordaithe roimhe sin ag an Aire nó ag an Ard-Chúirt go scaoilfear saor é, agus beidh ag an gcúirt sin chun na críche sin na cumhachtaí go léir a bheadh ag breitheamh den Phríomh-Chúirt Choiriúil dá mba os a chomhair a thriailfí an cás. (2) Ní gá cinneadh faoin alt seo a dhaingniú ná ní bheidh sé faoi réir a athscrúdaithe. |
Leasú ar alt 203 d'Acht 1954.
6.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 203 d'Acht 1954—
(a) tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhíreanna (b) agus (c) d'fho-alt (1):
“(b) ordóidh an armchúirt go gcoinneofar an duine sin faoi choimeád in institiúid atá oiriúnach chun an duine sin a choinneáil go dtí go bhfaighfear ordú eile ón Ard-Chúirt, agus beidh ag an gcúirt sin chun na críche sin na cumhachtaí go léir a bheadh ag breitheamh den Phríomh-Chúirt Choiriúil dá mba os a chomhair a thriailfí an duine sin.”, agus
(b) tríd an bhfo-alt seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2):
“(2) Ní gá cinneadh faoin alt seo a dhaingniú ná ní bheidh sé faoi réir a athscrúdaithe.”,
agus tá an t-alt sin, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TÁBLA 203.—(1) Más rud é, an tráth a bheas duine a cúisíodh i gcion á thriail ag armchúirt, gur léir go ndearna an duine sin gníomh nó neamhghníomh an chúisimh, ach go raibh sé ina gheilt tráth an ghnímh nó an neamhghnímh sin, beidh éifeacht ag na forála seo a leanas, is é sin le rá:— (a) cinnfidh an armchúirt go speisialta go raibh an cúisí ciontach i ngníomh nó i neamhghníomh an chúisimh ach go raibh sé ina gheilt tráth an ghnímh nó an neamhghnímh; (b) ordóidh an armchúirt go gcoinneofar an duine sin faoi choimeád in institiúid atá oiriúnach chun an duine sin a choinneáil go dtí go bhfaighfear ordú eile ón Ard-Chúirt, agus beidh ag an gcúirt sin chun na críche sin na cumhachtaí go léir a bheadh ag breitheamh den Phríomh-Chúirt Choiriúil dá mba os a chomhair a thriailfí an duine sin. (2) Ní gá cinneadh faoin alt seo a dhaingniú ná ní bheidh sé faoi réir a athscrúdaithe. |
Leasú ar alt 215 d'Acht 1954.
7.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 215 d'Acht 1954 trí “Faoi réir ailt 202 go 204,” a chur in ionad “Faoi réir ailt 204,” agus tá an t-alt sin, arna leasú amhlaidh, leagtha amach sa Tábla a ghabhann leis an alt seo.
AN TÁBLA 215.—Faoi réir ailt 202 go 204, ní bheidh cinneadh ná pianbhreith armchúirte bailí ach amháin sa mhéid go ndaingneoidh údarás daingniúcháin iad faoin gCaibidil seo. |
Alt 224 d'Acht 1954 a shrianadh.
8.—Ní bheidh éifeacht le halt 224 d'Acht 1954 (cinneadh armchúirte a neamhniú) i ndáil le cinneadh nó pianbhreith armchúirte a bhféadfaidh an duine a ciontaíodh, de bhua ordú faoi alt 24 den Acht seo, achomharc a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte ina aghaidh.
CUID II
An Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna
Bunú agus comhdhéanamh na Cúirte Achomhairc Armchúirteanna.
9.—(1) Bunaítear leis seo Cúirt Achomhairc, ar a dtabharfar an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna (The Courts-Martial Appeal Court) agus “an Chúirt” a ghairtear di san Acht seo.
(2) Chun aon achomharc ar leith is intriailte ag an gCúirt a éisteacht agus a chinneadh, gairfear an Chúirt de réir orduithe a thabharfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh, agus beidh an Chúirt comhdhéanta go cuí má bhíonn triúr breitheamh ar a laghad ar a líon—
(a) ar duine díobh—
(i) an Príomh-Bhreitheamh, nó
(ii) gnáth-bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach a bheidh ainmnithe ag an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh, agus
(b) arb iad an bheirt eile—
(i) beirt ghnáth-bhreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt a bheidh ainmnithe ag an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh, nó
(ii) Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte, má bhíonn sé ainmnithe ag an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh agus toilteanach gníomhú, agus gnáth-bhreitheamh amháin den Ard-Chúirt a bheidh ainmnithe ag an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh,
ach féadfaidh aon bhreitheamh nó bhreithiúna eile den Chúirt Uachtarach nó den Ard-Chúirt a bheidh ar fáil, freastal, má iarrann an Príomh-Bhreitheamh orthu é, mar chomhalta nó mar chomhaltaí den Chúirt.
Is uaschúirt taifid, etc. an Chúirt.
10.—Is uaschúirt taifid an Chúirt agus, chun críocha agus faoi réir fhorálacha na Coda seo den Acht seo, beidh cumhacht iomlán aici aon cheisteanna a chinneadh is gá a chinneadh chun an ceartas a dhéanamh sa chás os a comhair.
Cláraitheoir na Cúirte.
11.—(1) Feidhmeoidh Cláraitheoir na Cúirte Uachtaraí mar Chláraitheoir ar an gCúirt agus comhallfaidh agus comhlíonfaidh sé i ndáil leis an gCuirt gach uile dhualgas agus feidhm a chomhallann agus a chomhlíonann cláraitheoir cúirte de ghnáth, agus beidh aige agus feidhmeoidh sé freisin cibé cumhachtaí agus údaráis agus comhallfaidh agus comhlíonfaidh sé cibé dualgais agus feidhmeanna a shannfar dó ó am go ham le reacht nó le riail chúirte faoi alt 23 den Acht seo.
(2) Beidh Cláraitheoir na Cúirte Uachtaraí faoi réir orduithe an Phríomh-Bhreithimh maidir le gach uile ábhar a bhaineann le seoladh na coda sin de ghnó na Cúirte a gceanglaítear leis an dlí gur breitheamh amháin nó níos mó de bhreithiúna na Cúirte a dhéanfaidh é nó gur os comhair breithimh amháin nó níos mó de bhreithiúna na Cúirte a dhéanfar é.
(3) Is in Oifig Chláraitheoir na Cúirte Uachtaraí a dhéanfar gnó na Cúirte (ach amháin cibé gnó a gceanglaítear de thuras na huaire leis an dlí gur breitheamh amháin nó níos mó de bhreithiúna na Cúirte a dhéanfaidh é nó gur os comhair breithimh amháin nó níos mó de bhreithiúna na Cúirte a dhéanfar é).
Suíonna agus nós imeachta na Cúirte.
12.—(1) I mBaile Átha Cliath a shuífidh an Chúirt ach amháin i gcásanna ina dtabharfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh orduithe speisialta gur in áit éigin eile a shuífidh sí.
(2) Is é a bheidh ina Uachtarán ar an gCúirt cibé comhalta a bheidh i láthair agus i dteideal tosaíocht a bheith aige ar na comhaltaí eile, agus is de réir na tuairime a bheidh ag tromlach na gcomhaltaí i láthair a chinnfear gach uile cheist a bheidh os comhair na Cúirte, ach, mura n-ordóidh an Chúirt a mhalairt, is é Uachtarán na Cúirte, nó cibé comhalta eile den Chúirt a ordóidh an tUachtarán, a fhógróidh breithiúnas na Cúirte, agus ní dhéanfaidh aon chomhalta eile den Chúirt aon bhreithiúnas maidir leis an gcinneadh ar aon cheist a fhógairt ar leithligh.
Ceart achomhairc chun na Cúirte.
13.—Féadfaidh duine a bheidh ciontaithe ag armchúirt achomharc a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte in aghaidh chinneadh nó phianbhreith (ar bheith daingnithe di) na harmchúirte nó in aghaidh an chinnidh sin agus na pianbhreithe sin.
Achomharc chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí.
14.—(1) Is cinneadh críochnaitheach cinneadh na Cúirte ar aon achomharc nó ábhar eile atá ar a cumas a chinneadh, agus ní bheidh ábhar achomhairc ann ón gCúirt chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí, mura ndeimhneoidh an Chúirt nó an tArd-Aighne go bhfuil ponc dlí lena ngabhann tábhacht phoiblí as cuimse i gceist sa bhreith agus gur inmhianaithe, ar mhaithe le leas an phobail, achomharc ón duine a ciontaíodh a thabhairt chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí agus, sa chás sin, féadfaidh sé achomharc a thabhairt chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí, agus is breith chríochnaitheach dhochloíte breith na Cúirte sin.
(2) Más rud é, ar cheist dlí, go mbreithneofar achomharc chun na Cúirte i bhfabhar an achomharcóra, feadfaidh an freagróir san achomharc, gan dochar don bhreith i bhfabhar an achomharcóra, an cheist dlí a tharchur chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí lena cinneadh.
(3) Is é an tArd-Aighne a shocróidh an ráiteas faoin gceist dlí atá le tarchur chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí faoi fho-alt (2) den alt seo.
(4) Sannfaidh an Chúirt Uachtarach abhcóide chun argóint a dhéanamh i bhfabhar na breithe dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo.
Iarratais idirbhreitheacha.
15.—I gcás ina ndéanfaidh duine a bheidh ciontaithe ag armchúirt achomharc chun na Cúirte, féadfaidh an Príomh-Bhreitheamh nó aon bhreitheamh den Chúirt Uachtarach a bheidh ainmnithe ag an bPríomh-Bhreitheamh chun na críche sin, aon iarratas idirbhreitheach i ndáil leis an achomharc a éisteacht agus a chinneadh.
Orduithe iarmhartacha ón gCúirt.
16.—I gcás duine a bheidh ciontaithe ag armchúirt do thabhairt fógra achomhairc don Chúirt, beidh de chumhacht ag an gCúirt gach uile ordú iarmhartach is oiriúnach léi a dhéanamh, lena n-áirítear—
(a) i gcás achomharcóir is comhalta d'Óglaigh na hÉireann, ordú chun oibriú pianbhreithe pianseirbhíse, príosúnachta nó coinneála a chur ar fionraí go dtí go gcinnfear an t-achomharc, agus
(b) i gcás achomharcóir nach comhalta d'Óglaigh na hÉireann, ordú chun an t-achomharcóir a ligean faoi bhannaí ar cibé téarmaí is cuí leis an gCúirt go dtí go gcinnfear an t-achomharc.
An Chúirt d'éisteacht achomhairc.
17.—(1) Is ar na himeachtaí i dtriail an achomharcóra a éistfidh agus a chinnfidh an Chúirt achomharc a rinneadh chun na Cúirte, ach beidh cumhacht ag an gCúirt fianaise nua nó fianaise bhreise a éisteacht agus aon ní a tharchur le tuarascáil a fháil ó uachtarán nó ó abhcóide breithiúnais na harmchúirte a thriail an t-achomharcóir.
(2) I gcás inar deimhin leis an gCúirt nach indéanta tuarascáil a fháil ó uachtarán na harmchúirte nó go mbainfeadh moill mhíchuí leis, féadfaidh sí an t-ábhar a tharchur le tuarascáil a fháil ó aon chomhalta eile den armchúirt.
Dlínse na Cúirte.
18.—(1) Beidh dlínse ag an gCúirt an ciontú a dhaingniú nó a fhreaschur go hiomlán nó go páirteach, agus an phianbhreith a loghadh nó a laghdú, nó í a mhéadú nó a athrú ar shlí eile, agus, i gcoitinne, cibé ordú a dhéanamh, lena n-áirítear aon ordú i leith costas, is gá chun an ceartas a dhéanamh sa chás os comhair na Cúirte.
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, d'ainneoin gurb é a tuairim go bhféadfaí pointe a tógadh in achomharc a bhreithniú i bhfabhar an achomharcóra, an t-achomharc a dhíbhe más dóigh léi nár tharla aon iomrall ceartais iarbhír.
(3) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an Chúirt ciontú a fhreaschur ina iomláine, beidh dlínse ag an gCúirt ordú a dhéanamh á údarú an duine a bhfuarthas an ciontú ina leith a atriail mar gheall ar chion arb é an cion céanna é ab ábhar don chiontú agus ordóidh sí gurb é an Stát a íocfaidh costais an achomhairc agus costais na trialach nua a chuirfear ar an duine cúisithe, murab é tuairim na Cúirte gurb í an chosaint ba chúis nó ba chionchúis leis an achomharc agus an triail nua a bheith riachtanach.
(4) Aon uair a dhéanfar ordú i gcomhair atrialach faoin alt seo, féadfar an duine ar i leith a chiontaithe a rinneadh an t-ordú, d'ainneoin aon ní in Acht 1954 nó in aon riail dlí, a chúiseamh agus a thriail arís agus, má fhaightear ciontach é, féadfar pianbhreith a ghearradh air mar gheall ar an gcion ab ábhar don chiontú.
Cinneadh go bhfuil duine ciontach ach ina gheilt.
19.—Más rud é, ar aon achomharc, go bhfeicfear don Chúirt, cé go ndearna an t-achomharcóir an gníomh nó an neamhghníomh ar cúisíodh é ina leith, go raibh sé ina gheilt an tráth a ndearnadh an gníomh nó an neamhghníomh sa dóigh nach raibh sé freagrach de réir dlí as an ngníomh nó as an neamhghníomh, féadfaidh an Chúirt an phianbhreith a gearradh ag an triail a neamhniú agus a ordú go ndéanfar an t-achomharcóir a choinneáil i gcoimeád amhail mar a dhéanfaí dá mba í an Chúirt Achomhairc Choiriúil a chinn an cás ar achomharc in aghaidh chiontú ar díotáil.
Ciontuithe agus pianbhreitheanna ag an gCúirt, etc.
20.—(1) Más rud é, ar aon achomharc, go gcuirfidh an Chúirt, in ionad an chiontaithe, ciontú ina mhalairt de chion nó go malartóidh sí an phianbhreith ar phianbhreith eile, measfar, chun críocha na nAchtanna Cosanta, 1954 go 1979, agus aon ionstraim arna déanamh faoi na hAchtanna sin, gur cinneadh nó gur pianbhreith chuí-dhaingnithe ó armchúirt an ciontú nó an phianbhreith sin.
(2) D'ainneoin alt 206 d'Acht 1954, féadfaidh an Chúirt le hordú socrú a dhéanamh maidir leis an dáta a thosóidh pianbhreith a mhalartaigh sí, nó a ghearr armchúirt agus nár athraigh an Chúirt, nó a ghlacfaidh pianbhreith den sórt sin éifeacht.
Forghníomhú pianbhreithe báis a iarchur.
21.—I gcás pianbhreith bháis arna gearradh ag armchúirt—
(a) ní dhéanfar, in aon chás, an phianbhreith a fhorghníomhú go dtí go mbeidh an t-am caite ar laistigh de a fhéadfar fógra um achomharc chun na Cúirte a thabhairt de réir rialacha cúirte, agus
(b) má thugtar fógra den sórt sin amhlaidh, éistfear agus cinnfear an t-achomharc chomh luath agus is féidir, agus ní dhéanfar an phianbhreith a fhorghníomhú go dtí go mbeidh cinneadh déanta ar an achomharc.
Achomharc a chosaint.
22.—Is é an duine a chomóir an armchúirt ag ar triaileadh an t-achomharcóir, nó a chomharba oifige agus é curtha ar a chumas go cuí armchúirteanna a chomóradh, a ghabhfaidh air féin achomharc faoin gCuid seo den Acht seo a chosaint.
Rialacha cúirte.
23.—Déanfaidh Coiste Rialacha na nUaschúirteanna, le comhthoiliú an Aire Dlí agus Cirt, rialacha cúirte chun críocha na Coda seo den Acht seo.
Feidhm Chuid II.
24.—Beidh éifeacht le forálacha na Coda seo den Acht seo i ndáil le ciontuithe ag armchúirteanna a bhfuil nó a raibh a gcinntí fógartha cibé lá nó tar éis cibé lá (roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith nó dá éis) a shocróidh an tAire le hordú faoin alt seo.
CUID III
Cúnamh Dlíthiúil
Mínithe do Chuid III.
25.—Sa Chuid seo den Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil” deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (réamh-imeachtaí), deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (armchúirt), deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna) nó deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Uachtarach);
ciallaíonn “an t-údarás forordaithe” an duine a bhforordaítear le rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo gurb é an t-údarás forordaithe é chun críocha na Coda seo den Acht seo.
Deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (réamh-imeachtaí).
26.—I gcás—
(a) ina gcúiseofar duine (dá ngairtear “an cúisí” san alt seo) i gcion in aghaidh an dlí mhíleata, agus
(b) ina gceadaíonn rialacha a rinne an tAire faoi alt 240 d'Acht 1954 don chúisí abhcóide nó aturnae a bheith ag feidhmiú dó le linn don chúiseamh a bheith á imscrúdú nó don fhianaise a bheith á breacadh síos de bhun na rialacha sin (nó le linn don imscrúdú sin a bheith á dhéanamh agus don fhianaise sin a bheith á breacadh síos),
ansin, má fheictear don údarás forordaithe—
(i) nach leor acmhainn an chúisí chun go mbeadh ar a chumas cúnamh dlíthiúil a fháil, agus
(ii) gur gá ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, mar gheall ar thromaíocht an chúisimh nó imthosca eisceachtúla, go mbeadh cúnamh dlíthiúil aige le linn don chúiseamh a bheith á imscrúdú nó don fhianaise a bheith á breacadh síos (nó le linn don imscrúdú sin a bheith á dhéanamh agus don fhianaise sin a bheith á breacadh síos),
déanfaidh an t-údarás forordaithe, ar iarratas a dhéanamh chuige chun na críche sin, deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce (dá ngairtear “deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (réamh-imeachtaí)” sa Chuid seo den Acht seo) a dheonú i leith an chúisí agus as a aithle sin beidh an cúisí i dteideal an cúnamh dlíthiúil sin a fháil agus aturnae agus (i gcás é a bheith cúisithe i gcion báis nó i ndúnmharú agus gur oiriúnach leis an údarás forordaithe é) abhcóide a bheith ar sannadh dó don imscrúdú sin nó do bhreacadh síos sin na fianaise (nó don imscrúdú sin agus do bhreacadh síos sin na fianaise) i cibé slí a bheidh forordaithe le rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo.
Deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (armchúirt).
27.—(1) I gcás—
(a) ina ndéanfar ordú chun duine (dá ngairtear “an cúisí” san alt seo) a thriail ag armchúirt, agus
(b) ina ndéanfaidh an t-údarás forordaithe deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce (dá ngairtear “deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (armchúirt)” sa Chuid seo den Acht seo) a dheonú i leith an chúisí,
beidh an cúisí i dteideal cúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce a fháil ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh a chosanta ag an triail agus i dteideal aturnae agus (i gcás inar oiriúnach leis an údarás forordaithe é) abhcóide a bheith ar sannadh dó chun na críche sin i cibé slí a bheidh forordaithe le rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (armchúirt) a dheonú i leith an chúisí más rud é (ach ar an gcuntar sin amháin)—
(a) go ndéanfar iarratas faoina choinne sin,
(b) go bhfeicfear don údarás forordaithe nach leor acmhainn an chúisí chun go mbeadh ar a chumas cúnamh dlíthiúil a fháil, agus
(c) (i) gur triail i gcúis bháis nó i gcúis dúnmharaithe an triail, nó
(ii) go bhfeicfear don údarás forordaithe gur gá ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, ag féachaint d'imthosca uile an cháis (lena n-áirítear cineál na cosanta sin, más ann, atá bunaithe) go mbeadh cúnamh dlíthiúil ag an gcúisí ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh a chosanta ag an triail dó.
Deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna).
28.—(1) I gcás—
(a) ina gciontóidh armchúirt duine (dá ngairtear “an cúisí” san alt seo), agus
(b) ina ndéanfaidh an t-údarás forordaithe, nó ina ndéanfar faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo, deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce (dá ngairtear “deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna)” sa Chuid seo den Acht seo) a dheonú i leith an chúisí,
beidh an cúisí i dteideal cúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce a fháil ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh achomhairc in aghaidh chinneadh nó phianbhreith na harmchúirte nó in aghaidh an chinnidh sin agus na pianbhreithe sin agus i dteideal aturnae agus abhcóide a bheith ar sannadh dó chun na críche sin i cibé slí a bheidh forordaithe le rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo.
(2) Deonófar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna) i leith an chúisí más rud é (ach ar an gcuntar sin amháin)—
(a) go ndéanfar iarratas faoina choinne sin,
(b) go bhfeicfear don údarás forordaithe nach leor acmhainn an chúisí chun go mbeadh ar a chumas cúnamh dlíthiúil a fháil, agus
(c) (i) gur ciontú i gcion báis nó i ndúnmharú an ciontú, nó
(ii) go bhfeicfear don údarás forordaithe gur gá ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, mar gheall ar thromaíocht an chiona nó imthosca eisceachtúla, go mbeadh cúnamh dlíthiúil ag an gcúisí ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh achomhairc dó.
(3) I gcás ina ndiúltóidh an t-údarás forordaithe deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna) don chúisí, féadfaidh sé an deimhniú a iarraidh ar an gCúirt—
(a) trí litir a sheolfar chuig cláraitheoir na Cúirte ina leagfar amach fíorais an cháis agus forais an iarratais, nó
(b) trí iarratas chun na Cúirte féin,
agus deonóidh an Chúirt an deimhniú más rud é (ach ar an gcuntar sin amháin)—
(i) go bhfeicfear don Chúirt nach leor acmhainn an chúisí chun go mbeadh ar a chumas cúnamh dlíthiúil a fháil, agus
(ii) (I) gur ciontú i gcion báis nó i ndúnmharú an ciontú, nó
(II) go bhfeicfear don chúirt gur gá ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, mar gheall ar thromaíocht an chiona nó imthosca eisceachtúla, go mbeadh cúnamh dlíthiúil ag an gcúisí ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh achomhairc dó.
Deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Uachtarach).
29.—(1) I gcás—
(a) ina gcúiseofar duine (dá ngairtear “an cúisí” san alt seo) i gcion in aghaidh an dlí mhíleata,
(b) ina dtabharfar achomharc chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí in aghaidh chinneadh ón gCúirt i ndáil leis an gcion nó leis an bpionós a gearradh (má gearradh) ina leith, agus
(c) ina ndéanfaidh an Chúirt, nó ina ndéanfar faoi fho-alt (3) den alt seo, deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce (dá ngairtear “deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Uachtarach)” sa Chuid seo den Acht seo) a dheonú i leith an chúisí,
beidh an cúisí i dteideal cúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce a fháil ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh a cháis dó i ndáil leis an achomharc agus i dteideal aturnae agus abhcóide a bheith ar sannadh dó chun na críche sin i cibé slí a bheidh forordaithe le rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo.
(2) Deonófar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Uachtarach) más rud é (ach ar an gcuntar sin amháin)—
(a) go ndéanfar iarratas faoina choinne sin, agus
(b) go bhfeicfear don Chúirt nach leor acmhainn an chúisí chun go mbeadh ar a chumas cúnamh dlíthiúil a fháil.
(3) I gcás ina ndiúltóidh an Chúirt deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Uachtarach) don chúisí, féadfaidh sé an deimhniú a iarraidh ar an gCúirt Uachtarach—
(a) trí litir a sheolfar chuig cláraitheoir na Cúirte Uachtaraí ina leagfar amach fíorais an cháis agus forais an iarratais, nó
(b) trí iarratas chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí féin,
agus deonóidh an Chúirt Uachtarach an deimhniú más rud é (ach ar an gcuntar sin amháin) go bhfeicfear don chúirt sin nach leor acmhainn an chúisí chun go mbeadh ar a chumas cúnamh dlíthiúil a fháil.
Caiteachais a bhaineann le cúnamh dlíthiúil a íoc.
30.—(1) I gcás ina ndeonófar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (réamh-imeachtaí) i leith duine, déanfar, faoi réir rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo, aon táillí, costais nó caiteachais eile faoina rachfar go cuí ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh chás an duine i ndáil leis na himeachtaí lena mbaineann an deimhniú a íoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(2) I gcás ina ndeonófar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (armchúirt) i leith duine, déanfar, faoi réir rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo, aon táillí, costais nó caiteachais eile faoina rachfar go cuí ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh na cosanta lena mbaineann an deimhniú a íoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(3) I gcás ina ndeonófar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna) nó deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Uachtarach) i leith duine, déanfar, faoi réir rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo, aon táillí, costais nó caiteachais eile faoina rachfar go cuí ag ullmhú agus ag stiúradh chás an duine i ndáil leis an achomharc lena mbaineann an deimhniú a íoc as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Alt 18 a shrianadh.
31.—(1) I gcás ina ndeonófar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (réamh-imeachtaí) nó deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (armchúirt) i leith duine, ní bheidh dlínse ag an gCúirt faoi alt 18 den Acht seo costais a dhámhachtain don duine i leith imeachtaí lena mbaineann an deimhniú.
(2) I gcás ina ndeonófar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil (an Chúirt Achomhairc Armchúirteanna) i leith duine, ní bheidh dlínse ag an gCúirt faoi alt 18 den Acht seo costais a dhámhachtain don duine i leith imeachtaí cúirte lena mbaineann an deimhniú.
Ráiteas maidir le hacmhainn.
32.—Sula ndeonófar deimhniú um chúnamh dlíthiúil do dhuine, féadfaidh an t-údarás forordaithe, an chúirt nó an breitheamh, de réir mar a bheidh, a bheidh ag deonú an deimhnithe a cheangal ar an duine sin ráiteas scríofa a thabhairt i cibé foirm a bheidh forordaithe ag an Aire le rialacháin faoi alt 33 den Acht seo maidir le hábhair is iomchuí chun a chinneadh cé acu is leor nó nach leor a acmhainn chun go mbeadh ar a chumas cúnamh dlíthiúil a fháil.
Rialacháin.
33.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire rialacháin a dhéanamh chun éifeacht a thabhairt don Chuid seo den Acht seo agus féadfar, go sonrach, na nithe seo a leanas a fhorordú sna rialacháin—
(a) foirm na ndeimhnithe um chúnamh dlíthiúil,
(b) rátaí nó scálaí íocaíochta aon táillí, costas nó caiteachas eile is iníoctha as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas de bhun na ndeimhnithe sin, agus
(c) an tslí ina sannfar aturnaetha agus abhcóidí de bhun na ndeimhnithe sin.
(2) Ní dhéanfar rialacháin faoin alt seo maidir leis na hábhair a shonraítear i mír (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo gan toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(3) Gach rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin alt seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin, beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar d'aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
Pionós mar gheall ar ráitis atá bréagach nó míthreorach.
34.—(1) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh go feasach, chun cúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce a fháil faoin gCuid seo den Acht seo, cibé acu dó féin nó do dhuine éigin eile é, ráiteas bréagach nó uiríoll bréagach ó bhéal nó i scríbhinn nó aon fhíoras ábhartha a cheilt, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £100 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile a chur air.
(2) Ar dhuine a chiontú i gcion faoin alt seo, féadfaidh an chúirt a chiontóidh an duine, más oiriúnach leis an gcúirt é in imthosca an cháis, a ordú don duine, i gcás aon suim a íocadh faoi alt 30 den Acht seo maidir leis an gcúnamh dlíthiúil in aisce a ndearnadh an cion ina leith, an tsuim sin go léir nó cuid di (de réir mar is cuí leis an gcúirt) a íoc leis an Aire, agus aon suim a íocfar leis an Aire de bhun an ailt seo íocfar isteach sa Státchiste í nó cuirfear chun tairbhe don Státchiste í de réir treoracha an Aire Airgeadais.
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Na hAchtanna Cosanta, 1954 go 1979 | |