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[EN]

Uimhir 2 de 1951.


[EN]

AN tACHT UM CHEARTAS COIRIÚIL, 1951.

[An tiontó oifigiúil.]

ACHT DO LEASÚ AN DLÍ AGUS AN RIARACHÁIN CHOIRIÚIL. [21ú Feabhra, 1951.] ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR LEANAS:— [EN]

Cúirt.

1.—San Acht seo tagrann “Cúirt” d'aon chúirt a fheidhmíos dlínse choiriúil, ach amháin san áit a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, ach ní fholaíonn sí arm-chúirt.

[EN]

Cionta indíotáltha a thriail go hachomair.

2.—(1) (a) San Acht seo, ciallaíonn “cion sceidealta”—

[EN]

(i) cion a sonraítear sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo, nó

[EN]

(ii) cion indíotáltha a dearbhófar a bheith ina chion sceidealta le hordú faoi mhír (b) a bheas i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire;

[EN]

(b) Féadfaidh an tAire Dlí agus Cirt a dhearbhú le hordú, gur cion sceidealta aon chion indíotáltha áirithe a shonrós sé.

[EN]

(c) Ní thiocfaidh ordú i bhfeidhm mura gceadaítear é le rún ó gach Tigh den Oireachtas ach, ar é a cheadú amhlaidh, tiocfaidh é i bhfeidhm láithreach.

[EN]

(2) (a) Féadfaidh an Chúirt Dúiche duine a cúiseofar i gcion sceidealta a thriail go hachomair más rud é—

[EN]

(i) gur dóigh leis an gCúirt, ó na fíorais a cruthaíodh nó a líomhnadh, gur mion-chion é atá oiriúnach lena thriail amhlaidh, agus

[EN]

(ii) ar an gCúirt dá chur in iúl don chúisí ceart a bheith aige chun a thriala le giúiré, nach ndéanfaidh sé agóid i gcoinne a thriala go hachomair.

[EN]

(b) Ní triailfear duine go hachomair i gcion a sonraítear sa Chéad Sceideal ag uimhreacha tagartha 1, 2 nó 3, ná in iarracht ar chion acu sin a dhéanamh, mura mbeidh an tArd-Aighne tar éis toiliú lena thriail amhlaidh.

[EN]

(3) Ní dhéanfaidh an t-alt seo an Chúirt a chosc ó dhuine a chur ar aghaidh chun a thriala i gcion sceidealta.

[EN]

An nós imeachta má phléadálann cúisí ciontach sa Chúirt Dúiche i gcion indíotáltha.

3.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo le gach cion indíotáltha ach amháin iad seo a leanas—cion faoin Acht Tréasa, 1939 (Uimh. 10 de 1939), dúnmharú, iarracht ar dhúnmharú, comhcheilg um dhúnmharú agus píoráideacht, lena n-áirítear cion ag cúl pháirtí roimh an ngníomh nó i ndiaidh an ghnímh.

[EN]

(2) Más rud é, roimh theistíochta a thógaint nó a chríochnú, nó ina dhiaidh sin—

[EN]

(a) go bhfionnfaidh an Chúirt Dúiche gur mian le duine a cúisítear i gcion lena mbaineann an t-alt seo pléadáil chiontachta a dhéanamh, agus

[EN]

(b) go mbeidh an Chúirt sásta go dtuigeann sé nádúir an chiona agus na fíorais a líomhantar,

[EN]

féadfaidh an Chúirt—

[EN]

(i) mura ndéana an tArd-Aighne agóid, deighleáil go hachomair leis an gcion, nó

[EN]

(ii) má shíníonn an cúisí pléadáil chiontachta, é a chur ar aghaidh chun a thriala leis an bpléadáil sin agus le haon teistíochta a tógadh cheana.

[EN]

(3) (a) I gcás duine a cuirfear ar aghaidh chun a thriala faoin alt seo dá rá, ar é a dhíotchúiseamh, gur mian leis a phléadáil scríofa a tharraingt siar agus pléadáil neamhchiontachta a dhéanamh, déanfaidh an breitheamh triala pléadáil neamhchiontachta a thaifeadadh agus dáta a cheapadh don triail.

[EN]

(b) Má beartaítear, ag an triail, daoine nach ndearna teistíochta a ghairm mar fhínnéithe ar thaobh an inchúisimh, cuirfidh an tArd-Aighne faoi ndeara, seacht lá ar a laghad roimh an triail, fógra i scríbhinn a sheirbheáil ar an gcúisí ag sonrú na ndaoine sin agus ag tabhairt ráitis ar an bhfianaise a bheas le tabhairt ag gach duine acu.

[EN]

Pionós ar dhuine a chiontú go hachomair i gcionta indíotáltha áirithe.

4.—(1) Ar a chiontú ag an Cúirt Dúiche i gcion sceidealta nó i gcion indíotáltha lena ndeighleálfar faoi alt 3 den Acht seo, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur ar an gcúisí nó, de roghain na Cúirte, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá mhí dhéag nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile.

[EN]

(2) I gcás ciona faoi alt 11 den Acht Radio-Telegrafaíochta, 1926 (Uimh. 45 de 1926), áfach, ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt Dúiche fíneáil is mó ná deich bpunt ná téarma príosúntachta is sia ná mí d'fhorchur.

[EN]

Forchur téarmaí leanúnacha príosúntachta ag an gCúirt Dúiche.

5.—Má thugann an Chúirt Dúiche pianbhreith phríosúntachta ar dhuine ar bith, féadfaidh an Chúirt a ordú go dtosnóidh an phianbhreith ar dheireadh a theacht le haon téarma eile príosúntachta a tugadh cheana mar phianbhreith ar an duine sin, ach sin i slí nach mó ná dhá mhí dhéag an téarma iomlán príosúntachta in aon chás ina n-ordófar dhá phianbhreith nó níos mó, a bhéarfas an Chúirt Dúiche, a bheith le leanúint as a chéile.

[EN]

Cionta achomaire d'áireamh i ndíotáil.

6.—I gcás duine a chur ar aghaidh chun a thriala i gcion indíotáltha, is cead go mbeadh sa díotáil scór i leith déanamh aon chiona is féidir a thriail go hachomair (dá ngairmtear cion achomair san alt seo) agus is cion ar cúisíodh an duine sin ann agus a éiríos as an sreath céanna fíoras agus, má gheibhtear ciontach é ar an scór sin, féadfar aon phionós a chur air d'fhéadfaí a chur ar dhuine a ciontaíodh go hachomair sa chion achomair.

[EN]

Srian le halt 10 (4) den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851.

7.—Ní bhainfidh mír 4 (a ordaíos teoranta ama chun gearáin a dhéanamh i gcásanna dlínse achomaire) d'alt 10 den Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, le gearán i leith ciona indíotáltha.

[EN]

Cionta eile a chur san áireamh nuair a bheas pionós á ghearradh.

8.—(1) I gcás duine dá admháil, ar é a chiontú i gcion, go bhfuil sé ciontach in aon chion eile, agus é dá iarraidh an cion eile sin a chur san áireamh nuair a beifear ag gearradh pionóis, féadfaidh an Chúirt an cion eile sin a chur san áireamh dá réir sin.

[EN]

(2) Má chuireann an Chúirt cion san áireamh, déanfar nóta ina thaobh sin agus comhdófar an nóta sin i dteannta taifead na pianbhreithe, agus ní hinchúiseofar an cúisí sa chion sin, mura ndéantar a chiontú d'fhreaschur ar achomharc.

[EN]

Teistíocht mar fhianaise i dtriail.

9.—(1) Féadfar, faoi réir fo-ailt (2), teistíocht a tógadh sa réamh-imscrúdú ar chion indíotáltha a léamh mar fhianaise le linn triala an chúisí, má cruthaítear—

[EN]

(a) go bhfuil an teisteoir marbh nó ina gheilt nó chomh tinn sin nach féidir leis freastal ar an triail, agus

[EN]

(b) gur tógadh an teistíocht i láthair an chúisí, agus

[EN]

(c) go raibh caoi ag an gcúisí nó ag a abhcóide nó a aturnae an teisteoir a chroscheistiú.

[EN]

(2) I gcás an teisteoir a bheith ina gheilt nó a bheith tinn ní léifear an teistíocht gan cead an chúisí.

[EN]

Ní d'fháil le dúmas bréige.

10.—Aon duine a gheobhas, le haon dúmas bréige agus le hintinn calaois a dhéanamh, aon ní is féidir a ghoid, nó a chuirfeas faoi ndear amhlaidh aon ní den tsórt sin a sheachadadh dhó féin nó d'aon duine eile chun a úsáide nó a thairbhe féin nó ar a chuntas féin nó chun úsáide nó tairbhe nó ar chuntas aon duine eile, beidh sé ciontach in oilghníomh agus ar a chiontú ann dlífear pian-tseirbhís ar feadh téarma nach sia ná chúig bliana, nó príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá bhliain, a chur air.

[EN]

Alt 42 den Offences against the Person Act, 1861, a leasú.

11.—(1) San alt seo, is tagairtí do chionta faoi alt 42 den Offences against the Person Act, 1861, na tagairtí a déantar do mhionionsaí agus slacairt.

[EN]

(2) Aon duine a ciontófar i mionionsaí nó slacairt, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt nó, de roghain na Cúirte, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí, a chur air.

[EN]

(3) Féadfar inchúiseamh achomair a dhéanamh i leith mionionsaí agus slacairt ar ghearán dá dhéanamh ag an duine ar a ngoillfidh nó thar ceann an duine sin nó ar shlí eile.

[EN]

(4) Ní dhéanfaidh breithniú gearáin maidir le mionionsaí no slacairt difir d'aon leigheas sibhialta a bheas ag an ngearánach i gcoinne an chosantóra maidir le hábhar an ghearáin.

[EN]

Ailt 51 agus 52 den Malicious Damage Act, 1861, a leasú.

12.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 51 den Malicious Damage Act, 1861, trí “fifty pounds” a chur in ionad “five pounds” agus forléireofar alt 52 den Acht dá réir sin.

[EN]

(2) Aon uair a dhéanfas an Chúirt duine a chiontú i gcion faoi alt 52 den Malicious Damage Act, 1861,—

[EN]

(a) dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt nó, de roghain na Cúirte, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí, a chur air;

[EN]

(b) is féidir, má cuirtear fíneáil air, suim nach mó ná caoga punt a bheith sa chúiteamh a féadfar a cheangal air d'íoc.

[EN]

(3) Leanfaidh alt 135 den Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, arna leathnú le fo-alt (1) d'alt 5 den Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, den fheidhm chéanna a bheith aige a bhí aige roimh an Acht seo a rith.

[EN]

Seilbh neamhdhleathach.

13.—(1) Féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána duine a ghabháil gan barántas má bhíonn amhras réasúnach aige aon ní a goideadh nó a fuarthas go neamhdhleathach a bheith ag an duine sin nó a bheith á iompar aige in aon tslí.

[EN]

(2) Má cúisítear duine os comhair na Cúirte Dúiche i dtaobh aon ní a bheith ina sheilbh nó ina áitreabh aige go bhfios dó nó á iompar aige in aon tslí is ní a mbeidh amhras réasúnach ann gur goideadh nó go bhfuarthas go neamhdhleathach é, agus mura dtuga sé cuntas chun sástachta na Cúirte ar an gcuma ar tharla aige é, beidh an duine sin ciontach i gcion agus ar a chiontú ann ag an gCúirt dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná chuig puint a chur air nó, de roghain na Cúirte, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná dhá mhí.

[EN]

Scaoileadh daoine faoi bhannaí, i gcásanna áirithe, ag comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána.

14.—(1) Aon uair a dhéanfas comhalta den Gharda Síochána duine a thabhairt i gcoimeád go dtí stáisiún Garda Shíochána, féadfaidh an sáirsint nó an comhalta eile i gceannas an stáisiúin, má mheasann sé é a bheith ciallmhar sin a dhéanamh agus mura mbíonn aon bharántas i bhfeidhm á ordú an duine sin a choinneáil, é a scaoileadh faoi bhannaí agus chuige sin cúirt-bhanna a thógaint uaidh, le hurraí nó gan urraí, go láithreoidh sé go cuí os comhair na Cúirte Dúiche san am agus san áit iomchuí.

[EN]

(2) Féadfar an cúirt-bhanna d'eistréathadh amhail mar déanfaí eistréathadh ar chúirt-bhanna a ndeachthas faoi os comhair Breithimh.

[EN]

(3) Ní bhaineann an t-alt seo le duine a gabhfar faoi alt 13 den Acht Fórsaí Cosanta (Forála Sealadacha), 1942 (Uimh. 3 de 1942), ar amhras gur tréigtheoir nó neamhláithrí gan cead ó na Fórsaí Cosanta é.

[EN]

Nós imeachta ar dhuine a ghabháil.

15.—(1) Aon duine a cúiseofar i gcion, déanfar, ar é a ghabháil, é a thabhairt os comhair Breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche ag a mbeidh dlínse chun deighleáil leis an gcion, má bhíonn Breitheamh ar fáil láithreach.

[EN]

(2) Mura mbíonn, déanfar, a luaithe is féidir, é a thabhairt os comhair Feadhmannaigh Shíochána i ndúthaigh Bhreithimh den tsórt sin.

[EN]

(3) Má tugtar os comhair Feadhmannaigh Shíochána déanfaidh an Feadhmannach, tar éis dó an fhianaise a tabharfar d'éisteacht, é d'athchur, i gcoimeád nó faoi bhannaí is oiriúnach leis an bhFeadhmannach, agus an cás a tharchur chun a éisteachta os comhair Breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche ag a mbeidh dlínse chun deighleáil leis.

[EN]

(4) Má déantar an cúisí d'athchur, faoi bhannaí, agus go bhfaighidh sé bannaí láithreach bonn, tarchuirfear an cás chun an chéad suí den Chúirt.

[EN]

(5) In aon chúinsí eile, tarchuirfear an cás chun suí den Chúirt a bheas ann, laistigh d'ocht lá tar éis na gabhála, in áit a hainmneofar.

[EN]

Cumhacht na Cúirte Cuarda chun duine a scaoileadh ó chúirt-bhanna.

16.—Aon uair a dhéanfas an Chúirt Dúiche ordú ag cur bannaí síochána nó dea-iompair, nó bannaí síochána agus dea-iompair, ar dhuine agus á cheangal air dul faoi chúirt-bhanna chuige sin, féadfaidh an duine sin, tráth ar bith laistigh de mhí agus ar fhógra seacht lá a thabhairt don oifigeach Garda Shíochána i gceannas na dúiche ina bhfuil cónaí ar an duine sin, iarratas a dhéanamh go hachomair, chun an bhreithimh den Chúirt Dúiche ar ina chuaird atá an teach cúirte ina ndearnadh an t-ordú sin, á iarraidh é a scaoileadh ó na hoblagáidí a cuireadh air leis an ordú sin agus leis an gcúirt-bhanna sin faoi seach (má chuaigh sé faoin gcúirt-bhanna sin) agus, ar an iarratas sin d'éisteacht, féadfaidh an breitheamh sin, más cuí leis é, an duine sin a scaoileadh ó na hoblagáidí sin nó modhnú a dhéanamh i pé slí is cuí leis an mbreitheamh sin ar gach oblagáid nó aon oblagáid acu sin, agus féadfaidh sé an scaoileadh nó an modhnú sin a dhéanamh go hiomlán nó faoi réir coinníoll agus, go háirithe, faoi réir an choinníll go raghaidh an duine sin, sa Chúirt Dúiche, faoi chúirt-bhanna nua in ionad an chúirt-bhanna chéadluaite.

[EN]

Cúirt-bhannaí ó chorparáid.

17.—(1) Aon uair a ceangailtear leis an dlí, nó le hordú cúirte, ar chorparáid (pé acu ilchorparáid nó corparáid aonair í) dul faoi chúirt-bhanna, féadfaidh gníomhaire dul faoin gcúirtbhanna don chorparáid agus thar ceann na corparáide más rud é—

[EN]

(a) go mbeidh an gníomhaire údaraithe ag an gcorparáid, i scríbhinn faoi shéala na corparáide, chun dul faoin gcúirt-bhanna thar a ceann agus go dtabharfaidh sé an t-údarás sin ar aird nuair a bheas an cúirt-bhanna á fhorghníomhú aige, agus

[EN]

(b) go mbeidh sé sainráite sa chúirt-bhanna gur thar ceann na corparáide a téitear faoin gcúirt-bhanna agus gur ceangal ar earraí na corparáide é agus, i gcoitinne, go gcuireann sé an chorparáid faoi cheangal na gcoinníoll atá sa chúirt-bhanna.

[EN]

(2) Má bhíonn foirm chúirt-bhanna ordaithe le reacht nó le riail chúirte nó le haon ionstraim reachtúil agus go raghfar faoin gcúirt-bhanna thar ceann corparáide faoin alt seo, féadfar an fhoirm a bheas ordaithe amhlaidh a mhodhnú do réir mar is gá chun an t-alt seo a chomhlíonadh.

[EN]

(3) Aon chúirt-bhanna faoina raghfar, faoin alt seo, thar ceann corparáide, cuirfidh sé ar an gcorparáid agus ar a hearraí ceangal chomh hiomlán céanna agus a cuirfí ar dhuine agus ar a earraí dá dtéadh an duine sin faoi chúirt-bhanna dá shamhail.

[EN]

Aire Stáit, an tArd-Aighne agus comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána a dhíolmhadh ón dliteanas chun dul faoi chúirt-bhannaí,

18.—D'fhonn amhras a sheachaint, dearbhaítear leis seo, d'ainneoin aon ní in aon achtachán, nach gá d'Aire Stáit, don Ard-Aighne ná do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána, nuair a bheas sé ag tabhairt aon achomhairc ar aghaidh (pé acu mar chás ríofa nó eile é), dul faoi chúirt-bhanna.

[EN]

An Chúirt Chuarda d'aistriú trialacha ó áit go háit.

19.—(1) (a) Féadfaidh an Chúirt Chuarda, ina suí dhi in aon chuaird, triail shaincheiste coiriúla d'aistriú ón áit inar gá do réir dlí í a chur ar siúl go dtí aon áit eile sa chuaird chéanna.

[EN]

(b) Sna cúinsí sin, cuirfear an triail ar siúl san áit chun ar haistríodh í le giúiré ón dúthaigh giúiré nó ón gceantar eile a bheas ordaithe le haghaidh trialacha ag an gCúirt Chuarda ina suí dhi san áit sin.

[EN]

(2) (a) Ní fhéadfaidh an Chúirt Chuarda ordú a dhéanamh faoin alt seo ach ar iarratas ón Ard-Aighne nó ó chúisí.

[EN]

(b) Féadfaidh an t-ordú socrú a dhéanamh i dtaobh nithe a ghabhfas nó a bhainfeas leis an aistriú.

[EN]

(c) Beidh an t-ordú ina ordú críochnaitheach agus ní féidir achomharc a dhéanamh ina choinne.

[EN]

(3) Ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt ordú faoin alt seo mura mbeidh sí sásta gur neamhdhócha go bhfaighfí triail chóir nó nach féidir triail a chur ar siúl san áit a n-iarrtar an triail d'aistriú uaidh.

[EN]

Eisiamh daoine as an gcúirt agus toirmeasc le tuairiscí ar imeachta.

20.—(1) Ar an réamh-imscrúdú a dhéanamh ar chion indíotáltha, féadfaidh an Chúirt, má bhíonn sí sásta go bhfuil sin fóirstineach chun a áirithiú nach ndéanfar dochar don chúisí ina thriail, aon ní nó nithe acu seo a leanas a dhéanamh:—

[EN]

(a) faoi réir fo-ailt (4), an pobal nó aon chuid áirithe den phobal nó aon duine nó daoine áirithe ach amháin ionadaithe bona fide an Phreas, d'eisiamh as an gCúirt le linn na héisteachta;

[EN]

(b) foilsiú eolais i dtaobh na n-imeacht, nó i dtaobh aon choda áirithe dhíobh, a thoirmeasc;

[EN]

(c) srianta nó teoranta a chur le foilsiú eolais.

[EN]

(2) Aon ordú a dhéanfas an Chúirt Dúiche faoi mhír (b) nó mír (c) d'fho-alt (1), scoirfidh sé de bheith i bhfeidhm—

[EN]

(a) má deighleáltar go hachomair leis an gcúisí—ar na himeachta sa Chúirt Dúiche a bheith críochnaithe;

[EN]

(b) má diúltaítear don fhaisnéis—i gceann míosa tar éis an diúltuithe sin, mura ndéantar, laistigh den mhí sin, an cúisí a chur ar aghaidh chun a thriala ar ordachán ón Ard-Aighne;

[EN]

(c) má cuirtear an cúisí ar aghaidh chun a thriala—ar an triail a bheith críochnaithe nó ar nolle prosequi a thaifeadadh.

[EN]

(3) In aon imeachta coiriúla i leith ciona is dóigh leis an gCúirt a bheith de chineál mígheanasach nó draosta, féadfaidh an Chúirt, faoi réir fo-ailt (4), gach duine d'eisiamh as an gCúirt le linn na héisteachta ach amháin oifigigh na Cúirte, daoine a bhfuil baint díreach acu leis na himeachta, ionadaithe bona fide don Phreas agus pé daoine eile a dtabharfaidh an Chúirt, dá roghain féin, cead dóibh fanúint i láthair.

[EN]

(4) In aon imeachta coiriúla—

[EN]

(a) más duine faoi bhun bliain is fiche d'aois an cúisí, nó

[EN]

(b) más cion de chineál mígheanasach nó draosta an cion agus má líomhantar gur duine faoi bhun na haoise sin nó gur baineannach an duine lena ndearnadh nó ar a ndearnadh é,

[EN]

beidh duine de thuismitheoirí an duine sin nó gaol eile nó cara don duine sin i dteideal fanúint sa Chúirt le linn iomlán na héisteachta.

[EN]

(5) Duine ar bith a shárós ordú nó ordachán ón gCúirt faoin alt seo, beidh sé, gan dochar dá dhliteanas i leith aon chiona eile ina mbeidh sé ciontach, ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo agus ar a chiontú ann go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná céad punt a chur air nó, de roghain na Cúirte, príosúntacht ar feadh téarma nach sia ná sé mhí nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúntacht sin le chéile.

[EN]

(6) Na cumhachta a bheirtear leis an alt seo, is cumhachta iad de bhreis ar aon chumhacht eile dá mbeidh ag an gCúirt chun gach ceann nó aon cheann de na nithe a húdaraítear leis an alt seo a dhéanamh.

[EN]

Fianaise ar an mbreith i gcásanna dlínse achomaire.

21.—(1) I ngach cás dlínse achomaire, déanfaidh an Breitheamh éifeacht a bhreithe a thaifeadadh go comair ina Leabhar Miontuairiscí.

[EN]

(2) Síneoidh sé an taifead agus is tuigthe ansin gurb é an taifead sin breith na Cúirte.

[EN]

(3) Ní gá don Bhreitheamh taifeadadh a dhéanamh ina Leabhar Miontuairiscí i dtaobh aon iarmartaí reachtúla a leanfas de riachtanas as ciontú.

[EN]

(4) I gCeantar Chathair Bhaile Atha Cliath féadfar an taifeadadh a dhéanamh i nDuilleog na gCúiseamh in ionad é a dhéanamh sa Leabhar Miontuairiscí.

[EN]

(5) Ullmhófar ordú, do réir na rialacha cúirte, nuair a bheas gá leis sin agus beidh cóip den ordú sin, arna deimhniú do réir na rialacha, ina fianaise prima facie ar an mbreith.

[EN]

(6) Is fianaise prima facie ar an mbreith sin freisin cóip, arna deimhniú do réir na rialacha cúirte, den taifead sínithe i Leabhar Miontuairiscí an Bhreithimh nó i nDuilleog na gCúiseamh.

[EN]

(7) Duine ar bith a mbeidh leas bona fide aige sa scéal, féadfaidh sé, ar an táille ordaithe d'íoc, cóip dheimhnithe den ordú d'fháil agus, ag an am sin nó ina dhiaidh sin, cóip dheimhnithe den taifead sínithe d'fháil.

[EN]

Fiat, etc., an Ard-Aighne a bheith inghlactha i bhfianaise.

22.—Aon doiciméad a oirbheartós gurb é fiat, ordú nó toiliú an Ard-Aighne é chun imeachta coiriúla a thionscnamh, nó chun imeachta coiriúla a thionscnamh i bhfoirm áirithe, agus go bhfuil sé sínithe ag an Ard-Aighne, glacfar i bhfianaise é agus measfar gurb é an doiciméad sin é gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais, mura suítear a mhalairt.

[EN]

Pionós, forghéilleadh agus dícháiliú a loghadh.

23.—(1) Ach amháin i gcásanna lena ngabhann pionós báis, féadfaidh an Rialtas aon phionós a bheas forchurtha ag Cúirt a fheidhmíos dlínse choiriúil d'iomalairtiú nó a loghadh, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, faoi réir pé coinníoll is cuí leis an Rialtas.

[EN]

(2) Féadfaidh an Rialtas aon fhorghéilleadh nó dícháiliú a bheas forchurtha ag Cúirt a fheidhmíos dlínse choiriúil a loghadh, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, agus féadfaidh ábhar an fhorghéillte a thabhairt ar ais nó d'athbheochaint, go hiomlán nó go páirteach.

[EN]

(3) Féadfaidh an Rialtas aon chumhacht dá dtugtar leis an alt seo a tharmligean chun an Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus féadfaidh aon tarmligean den tsórt sin a chúlghairm.

[EN]

(4) Ní dhéanfaidh an t-alt seo difir d'aon chumhacht d dtugtar le dlí d'údaráis eile.

[EN]

(5) I gcás duine a dhícháiliú ó cheadúnas tiomána a bheith aige faoin Acht um Thrácht ar Bhóithre, 1933 (Uimh. 11 de 1933), agus an dícháiliú sin a loghadh, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, faoin alt seo, déanfar fógra i dtaobh an loghtha d'fhoilsiú, a luaithe is féidir, san Iris Oifigiúil.

[EN]

Ceart achomhairc i gcoinne orduithe chun duine a chur i scoil saothair nó ceartúcháin nó i bhForas Borstal nó in áit choinneála.

24.—D'fhonn deireadh a chur le hamhrais, dearbhaítear leis seo go bhféadfar achomharc a dhéanamh chun na Cúirte Cuarda i gcoinne orduithe ón gCúirt Dúiche chun duine a chur i scoil dheimhnithe do réir bhrí Acht na Leanaí, 1908 go 1949, nó i bhForas Borstal nó in áit choinneála a cuireadh ar fáil faoi Chuid V den Children Act, 1908.

[EN]

Maoin i seilbh an Gharda Shíochána a dhiúscairt.

25.—Féadfar ordú a dhéanamh faoi alt 1 den Police Property Act, 1897, chun maoin i seilbh an Gharda Shíochána a dhiúscairt d'ainneoin nár cúisíodh aon duine i gcion ina leith.

[EN]

Athghairm.

26.—Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin a luaitear sa dara colún den Dara Sceideal a ghabhas leis an Acht seo d'athghairm a mhéid a sonraítear sa tríú colún den Sceideal sin.

[EN]

Gearrtheideal.

27.—Féadfar an tAcht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951, a ghairm den Acht seo.

[EN]

AN CHEAD SCEIDEAL.

Cionta Indiotaltha a bhFeadfaidh an Chuirt Duiche Deighleail leo go hAchomair.

Alt 2.

Uimh. Thag.

An Cion

(1)

(2)

1.

Cion ar ghné mísce poiblí.

2.

Cion indíotáltha arb é atá ann aon tsaghas coisc ar riaradh ceartais nó ar fheidhmiú an dlí.

3.

Mionnú éithigh.

4.

Círéib nó tionól neamhdhleathach, más dóigh leis an gCúirt nach chun cabhrú le comhcheilg eagraithe a rinneadh an gníomh arb é an cion é nó, más chuige sin a rinneadh é, go bhfuil deireadh leis an gcomhcheilg.

5.

Ionsaí dá dtáinig díobháil choirp iarbhír.

6.

Ionsaí mígheanasach.

7.

Cion faoi alt 16 den Plate Assay (Ireland) Act, 1807, arna leasú le halt 2 den Acht Tástála Pláta (Leasú), 1931.

8.

Cion faoin Larceny Act, 1861, i leith maoine nach mó ná caoga punt a luach, i dtuairim na Cúirte.

9.

Cion faoi alt 38 den Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

10.

Cion faoi alt 60 den Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

11.

Cion faoi alt 1 den Falsification of Accounts Act, 1875.

12.

Cion faoi alt 11 den Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885, má bhíonn an cúisí os cionn sé bliana déag d'aois agus má líomhantar gur duine faoi bhun sé bliana déag d'aois nó duine neamh-mheabhrach nó leath-mheabhrach nó lag-intinneach an duine lena ndearnadh an gníomh.

13.

Cion faoin Forgery Act, 1913.

14.

Cion faoi ailt 25, 26 nó 27 den Larceny Act, 1916.

15.

Cion faoi aon fhoráil (seachas ailt 25, 26 agus 27) den Larceny Act, 1916, i leith maoine nach mó ná caoga punt a luach, i dtuairim na Cúirte.

16.

Cion faoi alt 24 den Acht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1926.

17.

Cion faoi alt 11 den Acht Radio-Thelegrafaíochta, 1926.

18.

Cion faoi alt 65 den Acht um Thrácht ar Bhóithre, 1933.

19.

Iarracht ar fhios collaí i gcás inar cion faoi ailt 1 (2), 2 (2) nó 4 d'Acht Leasuithe an Dlí Choiriúil, 1935, atá ann.

20.

Cion faoi alt 9 den Acht seo.

21.

Iarracht ar chion a dhéanamh a bhfuil dlínse ag an gCúirt Dúiche, de bhuaidh aon achtacháin (lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo), chun é a thriail go hachomair.

AN DARA SCEIDEAL.

Achtachain a hAthghairmtear.

Alt 26.

Siosón agus Caibidil nó Uimhir agus Bliain

Gearrtheideal

Méid na hAthghairme

47 Geo. III, Sios. 2, c. 15.

Plate Assay (Ireland) Act, 1807.

Alt 17, a mhéid a bhaineas sé le fíneála a fhorchuireas an Chúirt Dúiche i leith ciona faoi alt 16 den Acht.

5 & 6 Vic., c. 24.

Dublin Police Act, 1842.

Ailt 33 agus 53.

14 & 15 Vic., c. 93.

Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851.

Alt 14, mír 1, ó “and if upon the Trial” go dtí deireadh na míre.

Alt 14, Proviso, ó “on payment of a reasonable sum” go dtí deireadh an ailt.

Alt 21.

18 & 19 Vic., c. 126.

Criminal Justice Act, 1855.

An tAcht iomlán.

22 Vic., c. 32.

Remission of Penalties Act, 1859.

An tAcht iomlán.

24 & 25 Vic., c. 100.

Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

Ailt 43, 44 agus 45.

25 & 26 Vic., c. 50.

Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1862.

Ailt 9 agus 10.

4 & 5 Geo. V, c. 58.

Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1914.

Alt 18.

Uimh. 10 de 1924.

An tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1924.

Alt 77, mír B.

Uimh. 1 de 1926.

An tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1926.

Alt 6, ón tús go dtí “den Phríomh-Acht agus” agus na focail “ina ionad”.

Uimh. 18 de 1926.

An tAcht um Fheidhmiú Orduithe Cúirte, 1926.

Alt 24, fo-alt (3);

Alt 25, na focail “go síochánta agus gan foréigean, ach” agus “laistigh de mhí tar éis seilbh a bheith tabhartha suas amhlaidh.”

Uimh. 45 de 1926.

An tAcht Radio-Thelegrafaíochta, 1926.

Alt 11, fo-alt (4).

Uimh. 15 de 1928.

An tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1928.

Alt 19.

Uimh. 10 de 1931.

An tAcht Tástála Pláta (Leasú), 1931.

Alt 3.

Uimh. 11 de 1933.

An tAcht um Thrácht ar Bhóithre, 1933.

Alt 65, fo-alt (2).

Uimh. 6 de 1935.

Acht Leasuithe an Dlí Choiriúil, 1935.

Ailt 5 agus 15.

Uimh. 48 de 1936.

An tAcht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1936.

Ailt 55, 79 agus 82.

[GA]

harp.jpg


Number 2 of 1951.


[GA]

CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 1951.


ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Section

1.

Court.

2.

Summary trial of indictable offences.

3.

Procedure where accused pleads guilty in District Court to indictable offence.

4.

Punishment on summary conviction for certain indictable offences.

5.

Imposition of consecutive terms of imprisonment by District Court.

6.

Inclusion of summary offences in indictment.

7.

Restriction of section 10 (4) of Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851.

8.

Taking of other offences into consideration in awarding punishment.

9.

Deposition as evidence at trial.

10.

Obtaining by false pretences.

11.

Amendment of section 42 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

12.

Amendment of sections 51 and 52 of the Malicious Damage Act, 1861.

13.

Unlawful Possession.

14.

Release on bail in certain cases by members of Garda Síochána.

15.

Proceedings on arrest.

16.

Power of Circuit Court to release from recognisance.

17.

Recognisances by corporation.

18.

Exemption of Minister of State, the Attorney General and members of the Garda Síochána from liability to enter into recognisances.

19.

Transfer of trials by Circuit Court from place to place.

20.

Clearing of court and prohibition of reports of proceedings.

21.

Evidence of decision in cases of summary jurisdiction.

22.

Fiats, etc., of Attorney General to be admissble in evidence.

23.

Remission of punishment, forfeitures and disqualifications.

24.

Right of appeal from order of committal to industrial or reformatory school or Borstal Institution or place of detention.

25.

Disposal of property in possession of Garda Síochána.

26.

Repeals.

27.

Short Title.

FIRST SCHEDULE.

Indictable Offences Which May Be Dealt With Summarily By the District Court.

SECOND SCHEDULE.

Enactments Repealed.


Acts Referred to

Treason Act, 1939

No. 10 of 1939

Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926

No. 45 of 1926

Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1942

No. 3 of 1942

Road Traffic Act, 1933

No. 11 of 1933

Plate Assay (Amendment) Act, 1931

No. 10 of 1931

Courts of Justice Act, 1924

No. 10 of 1924

Courts of Justice Act, 1926

No. 1 of 1926

Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1926

No. 18 of 1926

Courts of Justice Act, 1928

No. 15 of 1928

Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935

No. 6 of 1935

Courts of Justice Act, 1936

No. 48 of 1936

harp.jpg


Number 2 of 1951.


CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 1951.


AN ACT TO AMEND CRIMINAL LAW AND ADMINISTRATION. [21st February, 1951.] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:— [GA]

Court.

1.—In this Act “Court” refers to any court exercising criminal jurisdiction, save where the context otherwise requires, but does not include courtmartial.

[GA]

Summary trial of indictable offences.

2.—(1) (a) In this Act, “scheduled offence” means—

[GA]

(i) an offence specified in the First Schedule to this Act, or

[GA]

(ii) an indictable offence declared to be a scheduled offence by an order under paragraph (b) for the time being in force.

[GA]

(b) The Minister for Justice may by order declare that any specified indictable offence shall be a scheduled offence.

[GA]

(c) An order shall not come into force unless approved by resolution of each House of the Oireachtas but, upon being so approved, shall come into force forthwith.

[GA]

(2) (a) The District Court may try summarily a person charged with a scheduled offence if—

[GA]

(i) the Court is of opinion that the facts proved or alleged constitute a minor offence fit to be so tried, and

[GA]

(ii) the accused, on being informed by the Court of his right to be tried with a jury, does not object to being tried summarily.

[GA]

(b) A person shall not be tried summarily for an offence specified in the First Schedule at reference numbers 1, 2 or 3 or for an attempt to commit such an offence unless the Attorney General has consented to his being so tried.

[GA]

(3) This section shall not prevent the Court from sending forward a person for trial for a scheduled offence.

[GA]

Procedure where accused pleads guilty in District Court to indictable offence.

3.—(1) This section applies to all indictable offences except the following—an offence under the Treason Act, 1939 (No. 10 of 1939), murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to murder and piracy, including an offence by an accessory before or after the fact.

[GA]

(2) Where, before or after taking or completing depositions,—

[GA]

(a) the District Court ascertains that a person charged with an offence to which this section applies wishes to plead guilty, and

[GA]

(b) the Court is satisfied that he understands the nature of the offence and the facts alleged,

[GA]

the Court may—

[GA]

(i) if the Attorney General does not object, deal with the offence summarily, or

[GA]

(ii) if the accused signs a plea of guilty, send him forward for trial with that plea and any depositions already taken.

[GA]

(3) (a) Where a person sent forward for trial under this section, on being arraigned, expresses the desire to withdraw his written plea and to plead not guilty, the trial judge shall enter a plea of not guilty and fix a date for the trial.

[GA]

(b) If at the trial it is proposed to call as witnesses for the prosecution persons who have not made depositions, the Attorney General shall, not less than seven days before the trial, cause to be served on the accused a notice in writing specifying those persons and giving a statement of the evidence that is to be given by each of them.

[GA]

Punishment on summary conviction for certain indictable offences.

4.—(1) On conviction by the District Court for a scheduled offence or for an indictable offence dealt with under section 3 of this Act, the accused shall be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

[GA]

(2) In the case, however, of an offence under section 11 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926 (No. 45 of 1926), the District Court shall not impose a fine exceeding ten pounds or a term of imprisonment exceeding one month.

[GA]

Imposition of consecutive terms of imprisonment by District Court.

5.—Where a sentence of imprisonment is passed on any person by the District Court, the Court may order that the sentence shall commence at the expiration of any other term of imprisonment to which that person has been previously sentenced, so however that where two or more sentences passed by the District Court are ordered to run consecutively the aggregate term of imprisonment shall not exceed twelve months.

[GA]

Inclusion of summary offences in indictment.

6.—Where a person is sent forward for trial for an indictable offence, the indictment may contain a count for having committed any offence triable summarily (in this section referred to as a summary offence) with which he has been charged and which arises out of the same set of facts and, if found guilty on that count, he may be sentenced to suffer any punishment which could be inflicted on a person summarily convicted of the summary offence.

[GA]

Restriction of section 10 (4) of Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851.

7.—Paragraph 4 (which prescribes time limits for the making of complaints in cases of summary jurisdiction) of section 10 of the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851, shall not apply to a complaint in respect of an indictable offence.

[GA]

Taking of other offences into consideration in awarding punishment.

8.—(1) Where a person, on being convicted of an offence, admits himself guilty of any other offence and asks to have it taken into consideration in awarding punishment, the Court may take it into consideration accordingly.

[GA]

(2) If the Court takes an offence into consideration, a note of that fact shall be made and filed with the record of the sentence, and the accused shall not be prosecuted for that offence, unless his conviction is reversed on appeal.

[GA]

Deposition as evidence at trial.

9.—(1) A deposition taken on the preliminary investigation of an indictable offence may, subject to subsection (2), be read as evidence at the trial of the accused if it is proved that—

[GA]

(a) the deponent is dead or insane or so ill as to be unable to attend the trial, and

[GA]

(b) the deposition was taken in the presence of the accused, and

[GA]

(c) the accused or his counsel or solicitor had an opportunity of cross-examining the deponent.

[GA]

(2) In the case of the deponent's insanity or illness the deposition shall not be read without the accused's consent.

[GA]

Obtaining by false pretences.

10.—A person who by any false pretence, with intent to defraud, obtains anything capable of being stolen or causes it to be delivered to himself or to any other person for the use or benefit or on account of himself or any other person, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and on conviction shall be liable to penal servitude for a term not exceeding five years or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

[GA]

Amendment of section 42 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

11.—(1) In this section references to common assault and battery are to offences under section 42 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

[GA]

(2) A person convicted of common assault or battery shall be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months.

[GA]

(3) Common assault and battery may be summarily prosecuted on complaint made by or on behalf of the aggrieved person or otherwise.

[GA]

(4) The adjudication of a complaint as to common assault or battery shall not affect any civil remedy that the complainant may have against the defendant in respect of the subject matter of the complaint.

[GA]

Amendment of sections 51 and 52 of the Malicious Damage Act, 1861.

12.—(1) Section 51 of the Malicious Damage Act, 1861, is hereby amended by the substitution of “fifty pounds” for “five pounds” and section 52 of the Act shall be construed accordingly.

[GA]

(2) Where a person is convicted by the Court of an offence under section 52 of the Malicious Damage Act, 1861,—

[GA]

(a) he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months;

[GA]

(b) the compensation which he may, if fined, be required to pay under the section may be of an amount not exceeding fifty pounds.

[GA]

(3) Section 135 of the Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, as extended by subsection (1) of section 5 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, shall continue to have the like operation as it had before the passing of this Act.

[GA]

Unlawful possession.

13.—(1) A member of the Garda Síochána may arrest without warrant a person whom he reasonably suspects of having or conveying in any manner any thing stolen or unlawfully obtained.

[GA]

(2) A person who is charged before the District Court with having in his possession or on his premises with his knowledge or conveying in any manner any thing which may be reasonably suspected of being stolen or unlawfully obtained and who does not give an account to the satisfaction of the Court how he came by it shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction by the Court shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months.

[GA]

Release on bail in certain cases by members of Garda Síochána.

14.—(1) Whenever a person is brought in custody to a Garda Síochána station by a member of the Garda Síochána, the sergeant or other member in charge of the station may, if he considers it prudent to do so and no warrant directing the detention of that person is in force, release him on bail and for that purpose take from him a recognisance, with or without sureties, for his due appearance before the District Court at the appropriate time and place.

[GA]

(2) The recognisance may be estreated in the like manner as a recognisance entered into before a Justice is estreated.

[GA]

(3) This section does not apply to a person arrested under section 13 of the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act, 1942 (No. 3 of 1942), on suspicion of being a deserter or an absentee without leave from the Defence Forces.

[GA]

Proceedings on arrest.

15.—(1) A person charged with an offence shall on arrest be brought before a Justice of the District Court having jurisdiction to deal with it, if a Justice is immediately available.

[GA]

(2) If not, he shall be brought as soon as may be before a Peace Commissioner in the district of such a Justice.

[GA]

(3) If he is brought before a Peace Commissioner, the Commissioner, having heard the evidence offered, shall remand him, either in custody or on such bail as the Commissioner thinks fit, and remit the case for hearing before a Justice of the District Court having jurisdiction to deal with it.

[GA]

(4) If the accused is remanded on bail and there and then finds bail, the case shall be remitted to the next sitting of the Court.

[GA]

(5) In any other event, the case shall be remitted to a sitting of the Court at a named place to be held within eight days after the arrest.

[GA]

Power of Circuit Court to release from recognisance.

16.—Whenever an order is made by the District Court binding a person to the peace or to good behaviour or to both, the peace and good behaviour and requiring him to enter into a recognisance in that behalf, such person may, at any time within one month and on giving seven days' notice to the officer of the Garda Síochána in charge of the district in which such person resides, apply in a summary manner to the judge of the Circuit Court within whose circuit the courthouse in which such order was made is situate to be released from the obligations imposed on him by such order and such recognisance respectively (if he has entered into such recognisance) and on the hearing of such application such judge may, if he so thinks proper, release such person from such obligations or modify in such manner as such judge thinks proper all or any of such obligations, and may make such release or modification either absolutely or subject to conditions and, in particular, subject to such person entering in the District Court into a new recognisance in lieu of such first-mentioned recognisance.

[GA]

Recognisances by Corporation.

17.—(1) Whenever a corporation (whether aggregate or sole) is required by law or by an order of a court to enter into a recognisance, the recognisance may be entered into by an agent for and on behalf of the corporation, if—

[GA]

(a) the agent is authorised by the corporation in writing under the seal of the corporation to enter into the recognisance on its behalf and he produces such authorisation when executing the recognisance, and

[GA]

(b) the recognisance is expressed to be entered into on behalf of the corporation and to bind the goods of the corporation and generally to bind the corporation by the conditions of the recognisance.

[GA]

(2) Where the form of a recognisance is prescribed by statute or by rule of court or any statutory instrument and the recognisance is entered into on behalf of a corporation under this section, such modifications may be made in the form so prescribed as are needed to comply with this section.

[GA]

(3) A recognisance entered into under this section on behalf of a corporation shall bind the corporation and its goods as fully and in like manner as a like recognisance entered into by an individual would bind the individual and his goods.

[GA]

Exemption of Minister of State, the Attorney General and members of the Garda Síochána from liability to enter into recognisances.

18.—To avoid doubt, it is hereby declared that, notwithstanding anything contained in any enactment, it shall not be necessary for a Minister of State, the Attorney General or a member of the Garda Síochána, in prosecuting any appeal (whether by way of case stated or otherwise), to enter into a recognisance.

[GA]

Transfer of trials by Circuit Court from place to place.

19.—(1) (a) The Circuit Court sitting in any circuit may transfer the trial of a criminal issue from the place in which it is required by law to be held to any other place in the same circuit.

[GA]

(b) In that event, the trial shall be held at the place to which it is transferred with a jury drawn from the jury district or other area prescribed for trials by the Circuit Court sitting at that place.

[GA]

(2) (a) An order of the Circuit Court under this section may only be made on the application of the Attorney General or an accused person.

[GA]

(b) It may provide for matters ancillary or incidental to the transfer.

[GA]

(c) It shall be final and unappealable.

[GA]

(3) The Court shall not make an order under this section unless it is satisfied that a fair trial is unlikely to be obtained or that a trial cannot be held in the place from which it is sought to transfer the trial.

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Clearing of court and prohibition of reports of proceedings.

20.—(1) On the preliminary investigation of an indictable offence the Court may, if satisfied that it is expedient for the purpose of ensuring that the accused will not be prejudiced in his trial, do any one or more of the following:—

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(a) subject to subsection (4), exclude the public or any particular portion of the public or any particular person or persons except bona fide representatives of the Press from the court during the hearing;

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(b) prohibit the publication of information in relation to the proceedings or any particular part of them;

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(c) impose restrictions or limitations on publication.

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(2) An order of the District Court under paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of subsection (1) shall cease to be in force—

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(a) if the accused is dealt with summarily—at the conclusion of the proceedings in the District Court;

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(b) if informations are refused—on the expiration of one month after such refusal unless, within that month, the accused is sent forward for trial by direction of the Attorney-General;

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(c) if the accused is sent forward for trial—on the conclusion of the trial or the entry of a nolle prosequi.

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(3) In any criminal proceedings for an offence which is, in the opinion of the Court, of an indecent or obscene nature, the Court may, subject to subsection (4), exclude from the Court during the hearing all persons except officers of the Court, persons directly concerned in the proceedings, bona fide representatives of the Press and such other persons as the Court may, in its discretion, permit to remain.

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(4) In any criminal proceedings—

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(a) where the accused is a person under the age of twenty-one years, or

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(b) where the offence is of an indecent or obscene nature and the person with or against whom it is alleged to have been committed is under that age or is a female,

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a parent or other relative or friend of that person shall be entitled to remain in Court during the whole of the hearing.

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(5) A person who contravenes an order or direction of the Court under this section shall, without prejudice to his liability for any other offence of which he may be guilty, be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

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(6) The powers conferred by this section are in addition to any other power of the Court to do all or any of the things which this section authorises.

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Evidence of decision in cases of summary jurisdiction.

21.—(1) In every case of summary jurisdiction the Justice shall enter concisely in his Minute Book the effect of his decision.

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(2) He shall sign the entry which shall then be taken to be the decision of the Court.

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(3) The Justice need not enter in his Minute Book any necessary statutory consequences of a conviction.

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(4) In the Dublin Metropolitan District the entry may be made in the Charge Sheet instead of the Minute Book.

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(5) An order shall be drawn up, in accordance with the rules of court, when required and a copy of the order, certified in accordance with the rules, shall be prima facie evidence of the decision.

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(6) A copy of the signed entry in the Justice's Minute Book or the Charge Sheet, certified in accordance with the rules of court, shall also be prima facie evidence of the decision.

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(7) Any person having a bona fide interest in the matter may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, obtain a certified copy of the order and, then or thereafter, a certified copy of the signed entry.

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Fiats, etc., of Attorney General to be admissible in evidence.

22.—A document purporting to be the fiat, order or consent of the Attorney General for or to the institution of criminal proceedings, or the institution of criminal proceedings in a particular form, and to be signed by the Attorney General, shall be admitted as evidence and be deemed to be such document without further proof, unless the contrary is shown.

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Remission of punishment, forfeitures and disqualifications.

23.—(1) Except in capital cases, the Government may commute or remit, in whole or in part, any punishment imposed by a Court exercising criminal jurisdiction, subject to such conditions as they may think proper.

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(2) The Government may remit, in whole or in part, any forfeiture or disqualification imposed by a Court exercising criminal jurisdiction and restore or revive, in whole or in part, the subject of the forfeiture.

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(3) The Government may delegate to the Minister for Justice any power conferred by this section and may revoke any such delegation.

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(4) This section shall not affect any power conferred by law on other authorities.

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(5) Where a disqualification for holding a driving licence under the Road Traffic Act, 1933 (No. 11 of 1933), is remitted, in whole or in part, under this section, notice of the remission shall be published as soon as may be in Iris Oifigiúil.

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Right of appeal from order of committal to industrial or reformatory school or Borstal Institution or place of detention.

24.—To remove doubts, it is hereby, declared that an appeal lies to the Circuit Court from an order of the District Court committing a person to a certified school within the meaning of the Children Acts, 1908 to 1949, or to a Borstal Institution or to a place of detention provided under Part V of the Children Act, 1908.

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Disposal of property in possession of Garda Síochána.

25.—An order may be made under section 1 of the Police Property Act, 1897, for the disposal of property in the possession of the Garda Síochána although no person has been charged with an offence in connection with it.

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Repeals.

26.—The enactments mentioned in the second column of the Second Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

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Short Title.

27.—This Act may be cited as the Criminal Justice Act, 1951.

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FIRST SCHEDULE.

Indictable Offences Which May be Dealt With Summarily by the District Court.

Section 2.

Ref. No.

Offence

(1)

(2)

1.

An offence in the nature of a public mischief.

2.

An indictable offence consisting of any form of obstruction of the administration of justice or the enforcement of the law.

3.

Perjury.

4.

Riot or unlawful assembly, where the Court is of opinion that the act constituting the offence was not done in furtherance of an organised conspiracy or, if so done, that the conspiracy is at an end.

5.

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

6.

Indecent assault.

7.

An offence under section 16 of the Plate Assay (Ireland) Act, 1807 as amended by section 2 of the Plate Assay (Amendment) Act 1931.

8.

An offence under the Larceny Act, 1861, involving property the value of which does not, in the opinion of the Court, exceed fifty pounds.

9.

An offence under section 38 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

10.

An offence under section 60 of the Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

11.

An offence under section 1 of the Falsification of Accounts Act, 1875.

12.

An offence under section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1885, where the accused person is over the age of sixteen years and the person with whom the act is alleged to have been committed is either under the age of sixteen or is an idiot, an imbecile or a feeble-minded person.

13.

An offence under the Forgery Act, 1913.

14.

An offence under sections 25, 26 or 27 of the Larceny Act, 1916.

15.

An offence under any provision (other than sections 25, 26 and 27) of the Larceny Act, 1916, involving property the value of which does not, in the opinion of the Court, exceed fifty pounds.

16.

An offence under section 24 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1926.

17.

An offence under section 11 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926.

18.

An offence under section 65 of the Road Traffic Act, 1933.

19.

Attempted carnal knowledge constituting an offence under sections 1 (2), 2. (2) or 4 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935.

20.

An offence under section 10 of this Act.

21.

An attempt to commit an offence which the District Court has, by virtue of any enactment (including this Act), jurisdiction to try summarily.

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SECOND SCHEDULE.

Enactments Repealed.

Section 26.

Chapter and Session or Number and Year

Short title

Extent of Repeal

47 Geo. III Sess. 2, c. 15.

Plate Assay (Ireland) Act, 1807.

Section 17, in so far as it relates to fines imposed by the District Court for an offence under section 16 of the Act.

5 & 6 Vic., c. 24.

Dublin Police Act, 1842.

Sections 33 and 53.

14 & 15 Vic., c. 93.

Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851.

Section 14, paragraph 1, from “and if upon the Trial” to the end of the paragraph.

Section 14, Proviso, from “on payment of a reasonable sum” to the end of the section.

Section 21.

18 & 19 Vic., c. 126.

Criminal Justice Act, 1855.

The whole Act.

22 Vic., c. 32.

Remission of Penalties Act, 1859.

The whole Act.

24 & 25 Vic., c. 100.

Offences against the Person Act, 1861.

Sections 43, 44 and 45.

25 & 26 Vic., c. 50.

Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1862.

Sections 9 and 10.

4 & 5 Geo. V, c. 58.

Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1914.

Section 18.

No. 10 of 1924.

Courts of Justice Act, 1924.

Section 77, paragraph B.

No. 1 of 1926.

Courts of Justice Act, 1926.

Section 6, from the beginning to “it is hereby enacted that”.

No. 18 of 1926.

Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1926.

Section 24, subsection (3);

Section 25, from “within one month” to “without force but.”

No. 45 of 1926.

Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926.

Section 11, subsection (4).

No. 15 of 1928.

Courts of Justice Act, 1928.

Section 19.

No. 10 of 1931.

Plate Assay (Amendment) Act, 1931.

Section 3.

No. 11 of 1933.

Road Traffic Act, 1933.

Section 65, subsection (2).

No. 6 of 1935.

Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935.

Sections 5 and 15.

No. 48 of 1936.

Courts of Justice Act, 1936.

Sections 55, 79 and 82.