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Uimhir 4 de 1976
ACHT NA nGIÚIRÉITHE, 1976
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
[2 Márta, 1976]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar Acht na nGiúiréithe, 1976, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Léiriú.
2.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “contae” contae riaracháin;
ciallaíonn “toghairm ghiúiré” toghairm faoi alt 12;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt.
(2) Forléireofar tagairtí san Acht seo d'aon achtachán mar thagairtí don achtachán sin arna leasú nó arna leathnú le haon achtachán ina dhiaidh sin, lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo.
(3) (a) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'alt nó do Sceideal is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo nó do Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(b) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'fho-alt is tagairt í don fho-alt den alt ina bhfuil an tagairt mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe.
Caiteachais.
3.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Aisghairm.
4.—Déantar leis seo gach achtachán a luaitear sa Dara Sceideal a aisghairm a mhéid a shonraítear i gcolún (3) den Sceideal sin.
CUID II
Cáilíocht agus Dliteanas chun Fónamh mar Ghiúróir
Ceantair ghiúiré.
5.—(1) Faoi réir forálacha an ailt seo, is ceantar giúiré gach contae agus measfar chun na críche sin gur cuid de chontae Bhaile Átha Cliath, de chontae Chorcaí, de chontae Luimnigh agus de chontae Phort Láirge faoi seach contae-bhuirg Bhaile Átha Cliath, contae-bhuirg Chorcaí, contae-bhuirg Luimnigh agus contaebhuirg Phort Láirge.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, contae a roinnt ina dhá cheantar ghiúiré nó níos mó nó a ordú gur cuid nó codanna áirithe de chontae a bheidh i gceantar giúiré.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
(4) Gach saincheist is intriailte le giúiré beidh sí intriailte le giúiré a ghairfear as rolla giúróirí a tharraingeofar ón gceantar giúiré ina mbeidh an chúirt ina suí.
Cáilíocht agus dliteanas chun fónamh mar ghiúróir.
6.—Faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo, gach saoránach ocht mbliana déag d'aois nó os a chionn agus faoi bhun seachtó bliain d'aois a bhfuil a ainm taifeadta ar chlár toghthóirí Dála i gceantar giúiré beidh sé cáilithe agus faoi dhliteanas chun fónamh mar ghiúróir le gach saincheist nó aon saincheist a thriail is intriailte de thuras na huaire le giúiré arna tharraingt ón gceantar giúiré sin, mura mbeidh sé, de thuras na huaire, neamh-inroghnaithe nó dícháilithe le haghaidh seirbhíse giúiré.
Neamhinroghnacht.
7.—Beidh na daoine a shonraítear i gCuid I den Chéad Sceideal neamh-inroghnaithe le haghaidh seirbhíse giúiré.
Dícháilíocht.
1908, c. 67.
8.—Beidh duine dícháilithe le haghaidh seirbhíse giúiré más rud é ar é a chiontú i gcion in aon áit in Éirinn—
(a) gur cuireadh tráth ar bith pianbhreith phríosúnachta nó pianseirbhíse air ar feadh a shaoil nó ar feadh téarma cúig bliana nó níos mó nó pianbhreith choinneála faoi alt 103 den Children Act, 1908, nó faoi dhlí comhréire Thuaisceart Éireann, nó
(b) gur tharla tráth ar bith le deich mbliana anuas—
(i) gur chuir sé isteach aon chuid de phianbhreith phríosúnachta nó pianseirbhíse ba phianbhreith, i gcás príosúnachta, ar feadh téarma trí mhí ar a laghad, nó
(ii) gur chuir sé isteach aon chuid de phianbhreith choinneála i bhForas Naomh Pádraig nó i bhforas comhréire i dTuaisceart Éireann, ba phianbhreith ar feadh téarma trí mhí ar a laghad.
Saoradh ó sheirbhís.
9.—(1) Saorfaidh cláraitheoir contae aon duine a bheidh toghairthe mar ghiúróir aige faoin Acht seo más rud é—
(a) gur duine de na daoine a shonraítear i gCuid II den Chéad Sceideal an duine sin agus go gcuirfidh sé in iúl don chláraitheoir contae gur mian leis go saorfaí é, nó
(b) go sásóidh an duine sin an cláraitheoir contae gur fhóin sé ar ghiúiré, nó gur fhreastail sé go cuí le fónamh ar ghiúiré, i rith na dtrí bliana dar chríoch dáta na toghairme a sheirbheáil air, nó
(c) go sásóidh an duine sin an cláraitheoir contae go ndearna breitheamh aon chúirte, ar thriail a bheith críochnaithe, é a shaoradh ó sheirbhís ghiúiré go ceann tréimhse nach bhfuil caite fós.
(2) Féadfaidh cláraitheoir contae aon duine a bheidh toghairthe mar ghiúróir aige a shaoradh ó fhreastal ar feadh an tsuí go léir, nó ar feadh aon choda den suí, a bheidh i gceist má shásaíonn an duine sin an cláraitheoir go bhfuil cúis mhaith ann gur cheart é a shaoradh amhlaidh.
(3) Má bhíonn duine a bheidh toghairthe mar ghiúróir faoin Acht seo neamhábalta, mar gheall ar thinneas nó ar aon chúis eile, aon uiríoll a dhéanamh chuig cláraitheoir contae faoi fho-alt (1) nó (2), féadfaidh duine eile an t-uiríoll a dhéanamh thar a cheann.
(4) Féadfaidh duine a mbeidh diúltaithe ag an gcláraitheoir contae é a shaoradh achomharc in aghaidh an diúltaithe a dhéanamh chun na cúirte a mbeidh toghairthe air freastal inti.
(5) Is mar a fhorálfar i dtreoracha ó Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte agus ó Uachtarán na Cúirte Cuarda faoi seach a bheidh nós imeachta an achomhairc, lena n-áirítear an breitheamh a éistfidh an t-achomharc a ainmniú, agus an tráth ar laistigh de is ceart agus an tslí inar ceart an t-achomharc a dhéanamh.
(6) Breith chríochnaitheach breith na cúirte.
(7) Nuair a bheidh duine faoi cheangal freastal mar ghiúróir i gcúirt le linn suí, beidh an dualgas céanna ar an mbreitheamh nó an rogha céanna aige, de réir mar a bheidh, a fhorchuirtear nó a bhronntar ar an gcláraitheoir contae faoin alt seo an duine sin a shaoradh ó fhreastal nó ó fhreastal níos faide. Féadfaidh an breitheamh, freisin, ar chúis mhaith, an giúróir a shaoradh le linn trialach ó fhónamh níos faide mar ghiúróir sa triail.
(8) Féadfaidh breitheamh aon chúirte, ar dheireadh a bheith le triail fhíor-chruálach, comhaltaí an ghiúiré a shaoradh ó sheirbhís ghiúiré ar feadh cibé tréimhse is oiriúnach leis an mbreitheamh.
CUID III
Roghnú agus Seirbhís Giúróirí
Cláir de thoghthóirí a sholáthar.
10.—Le go bhféadfaidh cláraitheoirí contae giúróirí a rollú agus a thoghairm, seachadfaidh gach comhairle contae agus gach bardas contae-bhuirge, mar údarás clárúcháin faoi alt 7 (1) den Acht Toghcháin, 1963, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an tAcht seo a rith, do chláraitheoir contae an chontae cibé líon cóipeanna den chlár reatha de thoghthóirí Dála don chontae nó don chontaebhuirg a theastóidh ón gcláraitheoir contae agus déanfaidh sé mar an gcéanna a luaithe is féidir tar éis gach clár dá shórt sin a fhoilsiú dá éis sin.
Giúróirí a rollú.
11.—Déanfaidh gach cláraitheoir contae, trí roghnú a dhéanfaidh sé go hamasach nó ar shlí neamh-idirdhealaitheach eile, rolla giúróirí a tharraingt suas do gach cúirt ón gclár nó ó na cláir a bheidh seachadta dó faoi alt 10 (agus daoine a fhágáil ar lár arb eol dó nó a gcreideann sé nach bhfuil siad cáilithe mar ghiúróirí).
Giúróirí a thoghairm.
12.—(1) Cuirfidh gach cláraitheoir contae faoi deara toghairm scríofa, i cibé foirm a fhorordóidh an tAire le rialacháin, a sheirbheáil ar gach duine a bheidh roghnaithe aige mar ghiúróir á cheangal air freastal mar ghiúróir sa chúirt a bheidh i gceist an lá agus an tráth a bheidh sonraithe sa toghairm agus dá éis sin na tráthanna a ordóidh an chúirt.
(2) Beidh ag gabháil le toghairm ghiúiré a sheirbheálfar ar dhuine faoin alt seo fógra a inseoidh dó—
(a) éifeacht ailt 6, 7, 8, 9 (1), 35 agus 36, agus
(b) gur féidir leis uiríolla a dhéanamh chuig an gcláraitheoir contae d'fhonn go dtarraingeofaí siar an toghairm má bhíonn sé, ar chúis ar bith, neamhcháilithe le haghaidh seirbhíse giúiré nó más mian leis, nó má bhíonn teideal aige, go saorfaí é.
Toghairm ghiúiré a sheirbheáil.
13.—(1) Féadfar toghairm ghiúiré a chur leis an bpost nó a sheachadadh de láimh.
(2) Chun críocha alt 18 den Acht Léiriúcháin, 1937, measfar litir ina mbeidh toghairm ghiúiré a bheith dírithe i gceart má bhíonn sí dírithe chun an ghiúróra ag a sheoladh mar a bheidh sin sa chlár reatha de thoghthóirí Dála.
(3) In aon imeachtaí i gcion mar gheall ar gan freastal de réir toghairme giúiré nó gan bheith ar fáil ar bheith glaoite chun fónamh mar ghiúróir—
(a) beidh deimhniú ón gcláraitheoir contae nó ó oifigeach ag gníomhú thar a cheann gur phostáil an cláraitheoir nó an t-oifigeach litir ina raibh an toghairm agus í dírithe mar a fhoráiltear i bhfo-alt (2) ina fhianaise ar an bhfíoras a bheidh deimhnithe amhlaidh;
(b) beidh deimhniú ón gcláraitheoir contae nó ó oifigeach ag gníomhú thar a cheann nó ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána gur sheachaid sé féin an toghairm don ghiúróir ar dháta sonraithe ina fhianaise ar an bhfíoras a bheidh deimhnithe amhlaidh, agus
(c) beidh deimhniú ó chláraitheoir cúirte nó ó oifigeach eile a bheidh ag gníomhú mar chláraitheoir cúirte gur mhainnigh duine a toghaireadh chun freastal mar ghiúróir sa chúirt sin freagairt dá ainm nuair a glaodh amach sa chúirt é ina fhianaise gur mhainnigh an duine sin freastal de réir na toghairme, nó nach raibh sé ar fáil nuair a glaodh air chun fónamh, de réir mar a bheidh.
(4) Doiciméad a airbheartóidh gur deimhniú faoin alt seo é ó chláraitheoir contae, ó oifigeach ag gníomhú thar a cheann, ó oifigeach do chúirt nó ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána agus a bheith sínithe aige, measfar chun críocha an ailt seo, gur deimhniú den sórt sin é agus é a bheith sínithe amhlaidh mura gcruthófar a mhalairt.
Giúróirí a thoghairm le easnamh a shlánú.
14.—(1) Más dealraitheach do bhreitheamh cúirte go mbeidh nó go bhféadfadh go mbeadh giúiré a bheidh le haon saincheist os comhair na cúirte a thriail neamhiomlán, féadfaidh an breitheamh a cheangal go ndéanfaidh an cláraitheoir contae aon daoine (is daoine a bheidh cáilithe agus faoi dhliteanas fónamh mar ghiúróirí sa chúirt sin) a thoghairm le go mbeidh an líon is gá i láthair.
(2) Sonróidh an breitheamh an limistéar óna bhféadfar daoine a thoghairm (a bhféadfaidh gurb é an limiséar i gcomharsanacht na cúirte é) agus an tslí a ndéanfar an toghairm, cibé acu trí fhógra scríofa nó ar shlí eile é.
(3) Bainfidh alt 9 le daoine a thoghairfear faoin alt seo ach amháin nach bhféadfar aon achomharc a dhéanamh ón gcláraitheoir contae.
(4) Cuirfear ainmneacha na ndaoine a thoghairfear faoin alt seo leis an rolla giúróirí.
Giúiré a roghnú as rolla.
15.—(1) Trí bhallóidiú i gcúirt oscailte a dhéanfar daoine a bheidh rollaithe mar ghiúróirí a roghnú chun fónamh ar ghiúiré áirithe.
(2) Féadfar an chumhacht giúróirí a thoghairm faoi alt 14 a fheidhmiú tar éis ballóidiú tosú, agus is féidir é a dhéanamh roimhe sin, agus más tar éis ballóidiú tosú a fheidhmeofar í féadfaidh an breitheamh ballóidiú le haghaidh daoine a toghaireadh faoin alt sin a ligean thar ceal.
(3) Sula dtosófar ag roghnú tabharfaidh an breitheamh rabhadh do na giúróirí a bheidh i láthair nach ceart dóibh fónamh má bhíonn siad neamh-inroghnaithe nó dícháilithe agus i dtaobh an phionóis faoi alt 36 má fhónann siad; agus iarrfaidh sé ar aon duine ar feasach dó nach bhfuil sé cáilithe chun fónamh nó a bhfuil amhras air i dtaobh é a bheith cáilithe nó a bhféadfadh leas a bheith aige sa chás nó baint a bheith aige leis an gcás nó leis na páirtithe é sin a chur in iúl don bhreitheamh (de bhriathra béil nó ar shlí eile de réir mar a threoróidh nó a údaróidh an breitheamh) má roghnaítear sa bhallóidiú é.
(4) Is é a bheidh ina phríomh-ghiúróir cibé comhalta a roghnóidh na giúróirí agus déanfar an roghnú cibé tráth a threoróidh an breitheamh nó, mura dtabharfar treoir, sula dtabharfaidh an giúiré a bhfíorasc nó sula ndéanfaidh siad aon trácht eile leis an mbreitheamh.
Rolla giúróirí a iniúchadh.
16.—(1) Beidh gach duine i dteideal saoráidí réasúnacha chun rolla giúróirí a iniúchadh in aisce agus beidh páirtí in aon imeachtaí, sibhialta nó coiriúil, a bheidh le triail le giúiré, i dteideal cóip a fháil in aisce ar é a iarraidh ar an gcláraitheoir contae.
(2) Beidh na cearta faoi fho-alt (1) infheidhmithe aon am idir tráth na dtoghairmeacha a eisiúint agus deireadh na trialach nó an tráth nach féidir triail le giúiré a bheith ann níos mó.
(3) Is é an rolla dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) an rolla a bheidh ullmhaithe le haghaidh agus roimh am na suíonna, lena n-áirítear aon rolla forlíontach a bheidh ullmhaithe amhlaidh, agus ní gá a chur in iúl ann go bhfuil aon duine dá mbeidh luaite ann saortha de thuras na huaire nó aon daoine a toghaireadh faoi alt 14 a bheith ar áireamh ann.
(4) Beidh, áfach, ar cheart duine chun an rolla a iniúchadh ceart go dtaispeánfar dó, ar é á iarraidh sin, na hathruithe go léir a rinneadh ar an rolla agus ainmneacha aon daoine a toghaireadh faoi alt 14 agus, ar é á iarraidh sin, go n-inseofar dó aon saoradh a rinneadh.
An modh ar a gcuirfear giúiré faoi mhionn.
17.—(1) Nuair a bheidh an cláraitheoir nó an t-oifigeach eile a bheidh ag gníomhú mar chláraitheoir ag cur giúróra faoi mhionn glaofaidh sé amach ainm an ghiúróra agus ordóidh dó an Tiomna a thógáil ina láimh agus cuirfidh sé faoi mhionn é de réir ailt 18 agus 19.
(2) Cuirfear na giúróirí faoi mhionn ina nduine agus ina nduine.
(3) Aon ghiúróir a chuirfidh in aghaidh a churtha faoi mhionn sa ghnáth-shlí cuirfidh sé ina aghaidh díreach tar éis a ainm a bheith glaoite amach agus sula dtosófar ar é a chur faoi mhionn.
(4) Gach agóid a dhéanfar in aghaidh giúróra déanfar í díreach tar éis a ainm a bheith glaoite amach agus sula dtosófar ar é a chur faoi mhionn.
(5) Má dhiúltaíonn aon ghiúróir mionn a ghlacadh nó má áitíonn sé gur ar shlí nach bhfuil údaraithe leis an Acht seo nó ar shlí eile leis an dlí a chuirfear faoi mhionn é, ní chuirfear é ar an ngiúiré a bheifear a chur faoi mhionn an tráth sin.
(6) Chun críocha an ailt seo measfar go bhfuiltear tosaithe ar ghiúróir a chur faoi mhionn nuair a thosaíonn an cláraitheoir nó an t-oifigeach eile ag rá focal an mhionna leis an ngiúróir a bheidh á chur faoi mhionn.
(7) San alt seo agus san alt díreach ina dhiaidh ciallaíonn an focal “Tiomna”, i gcás duine den chreideamh Críostaí, an Tiomna Nua agus, i gcás duine den chreideamh Giúdach, an Sean-Tiomna.
Giúróirí a chur faoi mhionn.
1888, c. 46.
18.—(1) Is é seo a leanas an ghnáth-shlí ina gcuirfear giúróir faoi mhionn:
Ardóidh an giúróir a bheidh le cur faoi mhionn an Tiomna ina láimh agus déarfaidh an cláraitheoir nó an t-oifigeach eile leis an ngiúróir na focail “Mionnaím dar Dia na nUile-Chumhacht . . . . .” agus ina dhiaidh sin an fhoirm iomchuí mionna a fhoráiltear le halt 19 agus déarfaidh an giúróir ina dhiaidh na focail a déarfaidh sé amhlaidh.
(2) Bainfidh an Oaths Act, 1888 (ina bhfuil foráil i dtaobh dearbhasc a dhéanamh in ionad mionn a thabhairt) agus freisin gach Acht a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire ag údarú mionn a thabhairt i gcúirt in aon slí áirithe leis na mionnaí a cheanglaítear leis an Acht seo ar ghiúróirí a thabhairt.
(3) Féadfar, má cheadaíonn an breitheamh é, giúróir a déarfaidh go bhfuil creideamh aige ach nach Críostaí ná Giúdach é a chur faoi mhionn in aon slí a déarfaidh an giúróir a cheanglódh é.
(4) Cuirfear gach giúróir faoi mhionn sa ghnáth-shlí gan ceist a chur mura dealraitheach an giúróir a bheith neamhábalta, ó thaobh coirp de, ar an mionn a thabhairt sa tslí sin nó má chuireann sé in aghaidh an mionn a thabhairt sa tslí sin agus go sásóidh sé an breitheamh go bhfuil sé i dteideal an mionn a thabhairt i slí éigin eile.
Foirmeacha mionnaí a thabharfaidh giúróirí.
19.—(1) Aon uair arb í an tsaincheist a bheidh le triail cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil duine cúisithe ciontach i gcion, is í seo a leanas foirm an mhionna faoina gcuirfear na giúróirí:
“go dtriailfidh mé go maith agus go hionraic an tsaincheist cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil an cúisí (nó na cúisithe) ciontach sa chion (nó sna cionta uile agus faoi seach) is ábhar don chúiseamh sa díotáil ina aghaidh (nó ina haghaidh nó ina n-aghaidh) agus go dtabharfaidh mé fíorasc ionraic de réir na fianaise.”
(2) Aon uair arb í an tsaincheist a bheidh le triail cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil duine cúisithe inniúil ar phléadáil, is í seo a leanas foirm an mhionna faoina gcuirfear na giúróirí:
“go bhfiosróidh mé go maith agus go dícheallach cibé acu is gealt nó nach gealt
(ag lua ainm an duine chúisithe), an príosúnach ag an mbarra, agus go dtabharfaidh mé fíorasc ionraic de réir mar is fearr a thuigim.”
(3) Aon uair nach saincheist de na saincheisteanna dá bhforáiltear go sainráite anseo roimhe seo an tsaincheist a bheidh le triail, is í seo a leanas foirm an mhionna faoina gcuirfear na giúróirí:
“go dtriailfidh mé go maith agus go hionraic na saincheisteanna sin go léir a thabharfar dom le triail agus go dtabharfaidh mé fíoraisc ionraice de réir na fianaise.”
Agóidí gan cúis a lua.
20.—(1) I ngach triail saincheiste sibhialta a thriailfear le giúiré féadfaidh gach páirtí agóid gan cúis a lua a dhéanamh in aghaidh seachtar giúróir ar a mhéid.
(2) I ngach triail saincheiste coiriúla a thriailfear le giúiré féadfaidh an t-ionchúisitheoir agus gach duine cúisithe agóid gan cúis a lua a dhéanamh in aghaidh seachtar giúróir ar a mhéid.
(3) Aon uair a dhéanfar agóid dhleathach gan cúis a lua in aghaidh giúróra ní chuirfear an giúróir sin ar an ngiúiré.
Agóidí ar chúis a luafar.
21.—(1) I ngach triail saincheiste sibhialta a thriailfear le giúiré féadfaidh aon pháirtí agóid ar chúis a luafar a dhéanamh in aghaidh aon mhéid giúróirí.
(2) I ngach triail saincheiste coiriúla a thriailfear le giúire féadfaidh an t-ionchúisitheoir agus gach duine cúisithe agóid ar chúis a luafar a dhéanamh in aghaidh aon mhéid giúróirí.
(3) Aon uair a dhéanfar agóid in aghaidh giúróra ar chúis a luafar, luafar an chúis sin díreach ar an agóid a dhéanamh agus ceadóidh nó dícheadóidh an breitheamh an agóid ansin de réir mar is cuí leis.
(4) Aon uair a dhéanfar agóid ar chúis a luafar in aghaidh giúróra agus go ngéillfidh an breitheamh don agóid, ní chuirfear an giúróir ar an ngiúiré.
Féachaint ag giúiré.
22.—(1) I dtriail aon saincheiste le giúiré féadfaidh an breitheamh, aon tráth tar éis na giúróirí a bheith curtha faoi mhionn agus sula mbeidh a bhfíorasc tugtha acu, a ordú, le hordú, go bhfaighidh na giúróirí amharc ar aon áit a bheidh sonraithe san ordú ar dóigh leis an mbreitheamh gur fóirsteanach, chun críocha na trialach, go bhfeicfeadh na giúrórí é, agus nuair a dhéanfar aon ordú den sórt sin féadfaidh an breitheamh an triail a chur ar atráth ar cibé céim di agus ar feadh cibé ama is dóigh leis a bheith caothúil chun an t-ordú a fheidhmiú.
(2) I dtriail saincheiste sibhialta, ní dhéanfar ordú faoin alt seo ach ar iarratas ó cheann de na páirtithe agus is é an páirtí ar ar iarratas uaidh a rinneadh an t-ordú a íocfaidh, sa chéad ásc, caiteachais na ngiúróirí a iompar go dtí an áit a bheidh sonraithe san ordú agus ón áit sin ach áireofar iad ar chostais an pháirtí sin agus is dá réir sin a bheidh siad ina muirear faoi dheoidh.
(3) I dtriail saincheiste coiriúla, ní dhéanfar ordú faoin alt seo ach ar iarratas ón ionchúisitheoir nó ón duine cúisithe nó ó dhuine amháin nó níos mó de na daoine cúisithe agus íocfaidh an cláraitheoir contae nó an t-oifigeach eile a bheidh ag gníomhú mar chláraitheoir don chúirt le linn na trialach, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, caiteachais na ngiúróirí a iompar go dtí an áit a bheidh sonraithe san ordú agus ón áit sin.
(4) Aon uair a dhéanfaidh breitheamh ordú faoin alt seo, tabharfaidh sé cibé treoracha is fóirsteanach leis do chur cosc le cumarsáid mhíchuí leis na giúróirí le linn an t-ordú a bheith á fheidhmiú.
Giúróir d'fháil bháis nó a urscaoileadh le linn trialach.
23.—Aon uair a tharlóidh, le linn aon saincheist a bheith á triail, go bhfaighidh giúróir bás nó go n-urscaoilfidh an breitheamh giúróir mar gheall ar é a bheith éagumasach de bharr tinnis nó aon chúise eile leanúint ag gníomhú mar ghiúróir, nó faoi alt 9 (7) nó 24, measfar, mura n-ordóidh an breitheamh a mhalairt nó mura lú ná deichniúr an líon giúróirí dá chionn sin, an giúiré a bheith comhdhéanta i gceart chun críocha uile na trialach agus rachaidh an triail ar aghaidh agus féadfar cinneadh ar fhíorasc dá réir sin.
Deireadh a chur le seirbhís giúróra.
24.—In aon triail le giúiré féadfaidh an breitheamh a threorú, ar aon chéim, maidir le haon duine áirithe a toghaireadh nó a cuireadh faoi mhionn mar ghiúróir, nach bhfónfaidh sé nó nach leanfaidh sé ag fónamh mar ghiúróir má mheasann an breitheamh ar aon chúis sonraithe gurb inmhianaithe ar mhaithe leis an gceartas go dtabharfadh sé an treoir sin.
Giúróirí scaradh ó chéile le linn trialach.
25.—In aon triail le giúiré féadfaidh na giúróirí scaradh ó chéile sula ndéanfaidh siad machnamh faoi chomhair a bhfíoraisc, ach amháin i gcás ina dtreoróidh an breitheamh a mhalairt.
Achomhairc i ndáil le clár toghthóirí a bheith gan éifeacht maidir le seirbhís ghiúiré.
26.—Ní dhéanfaidh sé difear do cháilíocht ná do dhliteanas duine fónamh mar ghiúróir achomharc a bheith ar feitheamh faoi alt 8 den Acht Toghcháin, 1963 (a bhaineann le hachomhairc i ndáil leis an gclár toghthóirí).
CUID IV
Ginearálta
Treoracha riaracháin.
27.—D'fhonn áirithiú go riarfar go comhréireach an tAcht seo, féadfaidh an tAire treoracha a thabhairt do chláraitheoirí contae maidir leis an gcleachtas agus an nós imeachta a leanfaidh siad ag comhlíonadh a ndualgas dóibh faoin Acht seo; ach ní údaróidh aon ní san alt seo don Aire aon treoir a thabhairt i dtaobh ar ceart nó nach ceart daoine áirithe a thoghairm chun fónamh mar ghiúróirí nó, má thoghairtear iad, ar ceart nó nach ceart iad a shaoradh ó fhreastal de réir na toghairme.
Duine a fhanfaidh balbh.
28.—Aon uair a fhanfaidh duine a bheidh cúisithe i gcion a thriailfear le giúiré balbh nuair a ghlaofar air chun pléadála breithneoidh an breitheamh an tsaincheist cé acu balbh trí mhailís nó balbh de dheonú Dé atá sé, agus mura mbeidh an breitheamh sásta gur de dheonú Dé atá sé balbh ordóidh an breitheamh pléadáil neamhchiontachta a thaifeadadh dó.
Seirbhís ghiúiré ag fostaithe agus ag printísigh.
29.—(1) Chun críocha aon chonartha seirbhíse nó printíseachta nó aon chomhaontaithe atá comhthaobhach dó (lena n-áirítear conradh nó comhaontú a rinneadh roimh dháta an Achta seo a rith), measfar duine a bheith ar fostú nó ar printíseacht ar feadh aon tréimhse a bheidh sé as láthair óna fhostaíocht nó óna phrintíseacht le toghairm ghiúiré a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh aon fhoráil a bheidh in aon chonradh nó comhaontú den sórt sin ar neamhní a mhéid a bheadh d'éifeacht aige aon dliteanas de chuid an fhostóra i leith tuarastal nó pá a íoc leis an bhfostaí nó leis an bprintíseach le linn dó bheith as láthair amhlaidh a eisiamh nó a threorannú.
Coimisiún de lunatico inquirendo.
30.—Aon uair a bheidh rolla giúróirí go dleathach i láthair coimisinéara faoi choimisiún de lunatico inquirendo, ansin, chun críocha an Achta seo, measfar gur cúirt agus, freisin, gur breitheamh den chúirt, an coimisinéir.
Dliteanas fónamh ar ghiúiré cróinéara.
31.—Gach saoránach ocht mbliana déag d'aois nó os a chionn agus faoi bhun cúig bliana is seasca d'aois a chónaíonn i gceantar cróinéara, beidh sé cáilithe agus faoi dhliteanas fónamh ar an ngiúiré ag aon ionchoisne cróinéara a sheolfar sa cheantar sin mura bhfuil sé neamh-inroghnaithe nó dícháilithe faoin Acht seo le haghaidh seirbhíse giúiré nó mura bhfuil sé ar dhuine de na daoine a shonraítear i gCuid II den Chéad Sceideal.
Forálacha nach mbaineann le hionchoisní cróinéirí.
32.—Ní bhainfidh aon ní san Acht seo, ach amháin alt 31, le hionchoisne cróinéara, agus san Acht seo ní fholaíonn an focal “giúiré” giúiré ag ionchoisne den sórt sin ná ní fholaíonn an focal “giúróir” giúróir ag fónamh ar ghiúiré den sórt sin.
Srian le feidhmeanna sirriaim.
33.—Déanfaidh cláraitheoir contae na cumhachtaí agus na dualgais a bhronntar agus a fhorchuirtear air faoin Acht seo a fheidhmiú agus a chomhlíonadh d'ainneoin aon ní in alt 12 den Acht Oifigeach Cúirte, 1945 (a bhaineann le dualgais sirriam) nó in aon ordú a rinneadh faoi.
CUID V
Cionta
Giúróir do mhainniú freastal i gcúirt etc.
34.—(1) Aon duine a bheidh toghairthe go cuí mar ghiúróir agus a mhainneoidh gan cúis réasúnach freastal de réir na toghairme nó freastal aon lá a cheanglóidh an chúirt air freastal beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air.
(2) Giúróir a freastalóidh de bhun toghairme ach nach mbeidh ar fáil nuair a ghlaofar air chun fónamh mar ghiúróir, nó a bheidh neamhfheidhmiúil chun fónamh de dheasca óil nó drugaí, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air.
(3) Ach amháin i gcás lena mbaineann alt 14, ní bheidh duine ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (1) i leith mainneachtain freastal de réir toghairme murar seirbheáladh an toghairm ceithre lá dhéag ar a laghad roimh an dáta a sonraíodh ann dá chéad-fhreastal.
Ráitis bhréagacha ó ghiúróir nó thar ceann giúróra.
35.—(1) Má dhéanann aon duine a bheidh toghairthe go cuí mar ghiúróir, nó má chuireann sé faoi deara nó má cheadaíonn sé go ndéanfar thar a cheann, uiríoll bréagach leis an gcláraitheoir contae nó le haon duine ag gníomhú thar a cheann, nó le breitheamh, le hintinn seirbhís ghiúire a sheachaint, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air.
(2) Má dhéanann aon duine, nó má chuireann sé faoi deara nó má cheadaíonn sé go ndéanfar, thar ceann duine eile a bheidh toghairthe go cuí mar ghiúróir uiríoll bréagach lena chumasú don duine eile sin seirbhís ghiúiré a sheachaint, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air.
(3) Má dhiúltaíonn aon duine gan cúis réasúnach freagra a thabhairt, nó má thugann sé freagra is feasach dó a bheith bréagach i bponc ábhartha, nó má thugann sé go meargánta freagra a bheidh bréagach i bponc ábhartha, nuair a cheisteoidh breitheamh cúirte é chun a chinneadh an bhfuil an duine sin cáilithe chun fónamh mar ghiúróir, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air.
Seirbhís ag duine neamh-inroghnaithe nó ag duine dicháilithe.
36.—(1) Aon duine a fhónfaidh ar ghiúiré agus a fhios aige nach inroghnaithe chun fónamh é beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air.
(2) Aon duine a fhónfaidh ar ghiúiré agus a fhios aige go bhfuil sé dícháilithe beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil mó ná £200 a chur air.
Diúltú ag duine mionn a thabhairt mar ghiúróir.
37.—Aon duine a dhiúltóidh, nuair a ghlaofar air mionn a thabhairt mar ghiúróir, mionn a thabhairt i slí a údaraítear leis an Acht seo nó ar shlí eile de réir dlí beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £50 a chur air.
AN CHEAD SCEIDEAL
Daoine Neamh-inroghnaithe agus Daoine is Insaortha de Cheart
CUID I
Daoine Neamh-inroghnaithe
Uachtarán na hÉireann.
Daoine a bhfuil baint acu le riaradh ceartais
Daoine a bhfuil nó a raibh tráth ar bith aon oifig bhreithiúnach acu de réir brí Acht na gCúirteanna (Bunú agus Comhdhéanamh) 1961 (Uimh. 38).
Cróinéirí, leas-chróinéirí agus daoine a ceapadh faoi alt 5 (2) d'Acht na nUdarás nAitiúil (Oifigigh agus Fostaithe) 1926 (Uimh. 39) chun oifig cróinéara a líonadh go sealadach.
An tArd-Aighne agus daoine dá fhoireann.
An Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí agus daoine dá fhoireann.
Abhcóidí agus aturnaetha atá ag cleachtadh iarbhír sa cháil sin.
Printísigh aturnaetha, cléirigh aturnaetha agus daoine eile atá fostaithe ar obair dhlí in oifigí aturnaetha.
Oifigigh a bhaineann le cúirt nó le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte agus oifigigh agus daoine eile atá fostaithe in aon oifig a bhaineann le cúirt nó a bhaineann le hUachtarán na hArd-Chúirte.
Daoine a bhíonn fostaithe ó am go ham in aon chúirt chun taifead a dhéanamh d'imeachtaí na cúirte.
Comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána.
Oifigigh príosúin agus daoine eile atá fostaithe in aon phríosún, i bhForas Naomh Pádraig nó in aon áit a soláthraíodh faoi alt 2 d'Acht na bPríosún 1970 (Uimh. 11) nó in aon áit ina gcoinnítear daoine i gcoimeád míleata de bhun alt 2 d'Acht na bPríosún 1972 (Uimh. 7) nó in aon áit a sonraítear faoi alt 3 den Acht deiridh sin gur áit í atá le húsáid mar phríosún; séiplínigh agus dochtúirí d'aon fhoras nó áit den sórt sin agus daoine de choistí fiosraithe d'aon fhoras nó áit den sórt sin.
Daoine atá fostaithe i seirbhís leasa na Roinne Dlí agus Cirt.
Duine atá i gceannas saotharlainne dlí-eolaíochta nó atá fostaithe ansin.
Comhaltaí d'Oglaigh na hÉireann
Gach duine de na Buan-Oglaigh, lena n-áirítear Seirbhís Altranais an Airm.
Gach duine de na hOglaigh Cúltaca le linn aon tréimhse a bhfuil sé ag fáil pá lena linn as aon seirbhís nó dualgas mar dhuine de na hOglaigh Cúltaca.
Daoine éagumasacha
Duine atá neamhfheidhmiúil, toisc nach bhfuil sé sách maith ag léamh, go bhfuil sé bodhar nó faoi bhuan-éiglíocht eile, fónamh ar ghiúiré.
Duine ar a bhfuil nó ar a raibh meabhair-ghalar nó míchumas meabhrach agus atá, mar gheall ar é a bheith sa riocht sin—
(a) ina chónaí in ospidéal nó i bhforas eile dá shamhail, nó
(b) ag freastal go rialta le haghaidh cóireála ó liachleachtóir.
CUID II
Daoine is Insaortha de Cheart
Comhaltaí de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas.
Comhaltaí den Chomhairle Stáit.
An tArd-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste.
Cléireach Dháil Éireann.
Cléireach Sheanad Éireann.
Duine in Ord Beannaithe.
Ministir rialta d'aon aicme nó sámhadh creidimh.
Comhaltaí faoi mhóid d'aon ord creidimh a chónaíonn i mainistir, i gclochar nó i sámhadh eile creidimh.
Na daoine seo a leanas má tá siad ag cleachtadh a ngairme iarbhír agus iad cláraithe (lena n-áirítear clárú coinníollach nó sealadach), rollaithe nó deimhnithe faoi na forálacha reachtúla a bhaineann leis an ngairm sin:
Liachleachtóirí;
Fiaclóirí;
Altraí;
Cnáimhseacha;
Tréidlianna;
Poitigéirí.
Duine d'fhoireann cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas ar Chléireach an Tí sin do dheimhniú go mbeadh sé in aghaidh leas an phobail é a bheith ar an duine sin fónamh mar ghiúróir mar go ndéanann sé seirbhísí riachtanacha práinneacha lena ngabhann tábhacht phoiblí agus nach féidir le réasún iad a chur ar aon dhuine eile le déanamh ná a chur siar.
Cinn Ranna agus Oifigí Rialtais agus aon státseirbhíseach ar Cheann a Roinne nó a Oifige do dheimhniú go mbeadh sé in aghaidh leas an phobail é a bheith ar an státseirbhíseach fónamh mar ghiúróir mar go ndéanann sé seirbhísí riachtanacha práinneacha lena ngabhann tábhacht phoiblí agus nach féidir le réasún iad a chur ar aon duine eile le déanamh ná a chur siar.
Aon sibhialtach atá fostaithe ag an Aire Cosanta faoi alt 30 (1) (g) den Acht Cosanta 1954 (Uimh. 18) ar Rúnaí na Roinne Cosanta do dheimhniú go mbeadh sé in aghaidh leas an phobail é a bheith ar an sibhialtach fónamh mar ghiúróir mar go ndéanann sé seirbhísí riachtanacha práinneacha lena ngabhann tábhacht phoiblí agus nach féidir le réasún iad a chur ar aon duine eile le déanamh ná a chur siar.
Príomh-oifigigh de chuid údaráis áitiúla chun críocha an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil 1941 (Uimh. 23), de chuid boird sláinte a bunaíodh faoin Acht Sláinte 1970 (Uimh. 1) agus údaráis chuain de réir brí an Achta Cuanta 1946 (Uimh. 9) agus aon fhostaí de chuid údaráis áitiúil, de chuid boird sláinte nó de chuid údaráis chuain ar a phríomhoifigeach do dheimhniú go mbeadh sé in aghaidh leas an phobail é a bheith ar an bhfostaí fónamh mar ghiúróir mar go ndéanann sé seirbhísí riachtanacha práinneacha lena ngabhann tábhacht phoiblí agus nach féidir le réasún iad a chur ar aon duine eile le déanamh ná a chur siar.
Ceann-mhúinteoir nó príomh-mhúinteoir coláiste ollscoile, scoile nó forais eile oideachais, agus aon ollamh, léachtóir nó duine d'fhoireann mhúinteoireachta aon fhorais den sórt sin ar an gceann-mhúinteoir nó ar an bpríomh-mhúinteoir sin do dheimhniú go ndéanann an duine atá i gceist seirbhísí san fhoras nach féidir le réasún iad a chur ar aon duine eile le déanamh ná a chur siar.
Mic léinn lánaimsire in aon fhoras oideachais den sórt a luaitear sa mhír sin roimhe seo.
Rúnaí Choimisinéirí Soilse na hÉireann agus aon duine atá ar fostú ag na Coimisinéirí ar an rúnaí do dheimhniú go ndéanann an duine atá i gceist seirbhísí do na Coimisinéirí nach féidir le réasún iad a chur ar aon duine eile le déanamh ná a chur siar.
Máistrí soithí, píolótaí cuí-cheadúnaithe agus ceannasaithe cuícheadúnaithe aerárthaí.
Daoine atá cúig bliana is seasca d'aois nó os a chionn agus atá faoi bhun seachtó bliain d'aois.
AN DARA SCEIDEAL
Aisghairm
Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na haisghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
1908, c. 48 | Post Office Act, 1908. | In alt 43, na focail “or on any jury or inquest.”. |
1919, c. 71 | Sex Disqualification (Re- moval) Act, 1919. | An méid sin d'alt 1 a thugann cumhacht do bhreitheamh giúiré a ordú ar fir ar fad nó mná ar fad na daoine a bheidh air. |
An tAcht go léir. | ||
Alt 23 (4). | ||
An tAcht Cúirteanna Breith-iúnais, 1936. | Alt 80. | |
An tAcht Rialtais Áitiúil (Baile Átha Cliath) (Leasú), 1940. | Alt 9 (3). | |
An tAcht go léir. | ||
Alt 105. | ||
An tAcht go léir. | ||
Ailt 42 agus 59. | ||
In alt 7 (1), na focail “, tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Dlí agus Cirt,”. | ||
Ailt 7 (2) (b), (6) agus (8) agus 8 (5). | ||
An tAcht um Chearxtas Coiriúil, 1964. | Alt 7. |
Number 4 of 1976
JURIES ACT, 1976
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary
Section | |
Qualification and Liability for Service as a Juror
Selection and Service of Jurors
Non-effect of appeals as to electoral register on jury service. |
General
Offences
Persons Ineligibile and Persons Excusable as of Right
Persons Ineligible
Persons Excusable as of Right
Repeals
Acts Referred to | |
Children Act, 1908 | 1908, c. 67 |
1945, No. 25 | |
1963, No. 19 | |
1937, No. 38 | |
Oaths Act, 1888 | 1888, c. 46 |
Number 4 of 1976
JURIES ACT, 1976
PART I
Preliminary
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Juries Act, 1976.
Interpretation.
2.—(1) In this Act—
“county” means an administrative county;
“jury summons” means a summons under section 12;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice.
(2) References in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as references to that enactment as amended or extended by any subsequent enactment, including this Act.
(3) (a) A reference in this Act to a section or Schedule as a reference to a section of, or a Schedule to, this Act, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended.
(b) A reference in this Act to a subsection is a reference to the subsection of the section in which the reference occurs unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended.
Expenses.
3.—The expenses incurred by the Minister 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.
Repeals.
4.—Each enactment mentioned in the Second Schedule is hereby repealed to the extent specified in column (3) of that Schedule.
PART II
Qualification and Liability for Service as a Juror
Jury districts.
5.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, each county shall be a jury district and for this purpose the county boroughs of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford shall be deemed to form part of the counties of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Waterford respectively.
(2) The Minister may by order divide a county into two or more jury districts or limit a jury district to a part or parts of a county.
(3) The Minister may by order revoke or vary an order under this section.
(4) Every issue that is triable with a jury shall be triable with a jury called from a panel of jurors drawn from the jury district in which the court is sitting.
Qualification and liability for jury service.
6.—Subject to the provisions of this Act, every citizen aged eighteen years or upwards and under the age of seventy years who is entered in a register of Dáil electors in a jury district shall be qualified and liable to serve as a juror for the trial of all or any issues which are for the time being triable with a jury drawn from that jury district, unless he is for the time being ineligible or disqualified for jury service.
Ineligibility.
7.—The persons specified in Part I of the First Schedule shall be ineligible for jury service.
Disqualification.
8.—A person shall be disqualified for jury service if on conviction of an offence in any part of Ireland—
(a) he has at any time been sentenced to imprisonment or penal servitude for life or for a term of five years or more or to detention under section 103 of the Children Act, 1908, or under the corresponding law of Northern Ireland, or
(b) he has at any time in the last ten years—
(i) served any part of a sentence of imprisonment or penal servitude, being, in the case of imprisonment, a sentence for a term of at least three months, or
(ii) served any part of a sentence of detention in Saint Patrick's Institution or in a corresponding institution in Northern Ireland, being a sentence for a term of at least three months.
Excusal from service.
9.—(1) A county registrar shall excuse any person whom he has summoned as a juror under this Act if—
(a) that person is one of the persons specified in Part II of the First Schedule and informs the county registrar of his wish to be excused, or
(b) that person shows to the satisfaction of the county registrar that he has served on a jury, or duly attended to serve on a jury, in the three years ending with the service of the summons on him, or
(c) that person shows to the satisfaction of the county registrar that, at the conclusion of a trial, a judge of any court has excused him from jury service for a period that has not terminated.
(2) A county registrar may excuse any person whom he has summoned as a juror from attendance during the whole or any part of the sittings in question if that person shows to the registrar's satisfaction that there is good reason why he should be so excused.
(3) If a person summoned as a juror under this Act is unable, owing to illness or any other reason, to make any representation to a county registrar under subsection (1) or (2), another person may make the representation on his behalf.
(4) A person whom the county registrar has refused to excuse may appeal against the refusal to the court at which he has been summoned to attend.
(5) The procedure for the appeal, including the designation of the judge to hear the appeal, and the time within which and the manner in which it should be brought, shall be as provided by directions of the President of the High Court and the President of the Circuit Court respectively.
(6) The decision of the court shall be final.
(7) When a person is required to be in attendance as a juror at a court during a sitting, the judge shall have the same duty or discretion, as the case may be, as that imposed or conferred on the county registrar under this section to excuse that person from attendance or further attendance. The judge may also, for good reason, excuse the juror during the course of a trial from further service as a juror in the trial.
(8) The judge of any court may, at the conclusion of a trial of an exceptionally exacting nature, excuse the members of the jury from jury service for such period as the judge may think fit.
PART III
Selection and Service of Jurors
Supply of electoral registers.
10.—For the purpose of enabling county registrars to empanel and summon jurors, every county council and corporation of a county borough, as registration authority under section 7 (1) of the Electoral Act, 1963, shall as soon as practicable after the passing of this Act deliver to the county registrar for the county such number of copies of the then current register of Dáil electors for the county or county borough as the county registrar may require and shall do likewise as soon as practicable after the publication of every similar register thereafter.
Empanelling of jurors.
11.—Each county registrar, using a procedure of random or other non-discriminatory selection, shall draw up a panel of jurors for each court from the register or registers delivered to him under section 10 (omitting persons whom he knows or believes not to be qualified as jurors).
Summoning of jurors.
12.—(1) Each county registrar shall cause a written summons, in such form as the Minister may by regulations prescribe, to be served on every person whom he has selected as a juror requiring him to attend as a juror at the court in question on the day and at the time specified in the summons and thereafter at the times directed by the court.
(2) A jury summons served on a person under this section shall be accompanied by a notice informing him—
(a) of the effect of sections 6, 7, 8, 9 (1), 35 and 36, and
(b) that he may make representations to the county registrar with a view to obtaining a withdrawal of the summons, if for any reason he is not qualified for jury service or wishes or is entitled to be excused.
Service of jury summons.
13.—(1) A jury summons may be sent by post or delivered by hand.
(2) For the purposes of section 18 of the Interpretation Act, 1937, a letter containing a jury summons shall be deemed to be properly addressed if it is addressed to the juror at his address as shown in the current register of Dáil electors.
(3) In any proceedings for an offence of non-attendance in compliance with a jury summons or of not being available when called upon to serve as a juror—
(a) a certificate by the county registrar or an officer acting on his behalf that the registrar or officer posted a letter containing the summons addressed as provided in subsection (2) shall be evidence of the fact so certified;
(b) a certificate by the county registrar or an officer acting on his behalf or a member of the Garda Síochána that the personally delivered the summons to the juror on a specified date shall be evidence of the fact so certified, and
(c) a certificate by the registrar or other officer acting as registrar of a court that a person summoned to attend as a juror in that court failed to answer to his name when it was called out in court shall be evidence that that person failed to attend in compliance with the summons, or was not available when called on to serve, as the case may be.
(4) A document purporting to be a certificate under this section of a county registrar, or officer acting on his behalf, officer of a court or member of the Garda Síochána and to be signed by him shall be deemed, for the purposes of this section, to be such a certificate and to be so signed unless the contrary is proved.
Summoning of jurors to make up deficiency.
14.—(1) If it appears to a judge of a court that a jury to try any issue before the court will or may be incomplete, the judge may require any persons (being persons qualified and liable to serve as jurors in that court) to be summoned by the county registrar in order to make up the number needed.
(2) The judge shall specify the area from which persons may be summoned (which may be the area in the vicinity of the court) and the method of summons, whether by written notice or otherwise.
(3) Section 9 shall apply to persons summoned under this section except that there shall not be an appeal from the county registrar.
(4) The names of persons summoned under this section shall be added to the panel of jurors.
Selection of jury from panel.
15.—(1) The selection of persons empanelled as jurors to serve on a particular jury shall be made by balloting in open court.
(2) The power of summoning jurors under section 14 may be exercised after balloting has begun, as well as earlier, and if it is exercised after balloting has begun the judge may dispense with balloting for persons summoned under that section.
(3) Before the selection is begun the judge shall warn the jurors present that they must not serve if they are ineligible or disqualified and as to the penalty under section 36 for doing so; and he shall invite any person who knows that he is not qualified to serve or who is in doubt as to whether he is qualified or who may have an interest in or connection with the case or the parties to communicate the fact to the judge (either orally or otherwise as the judge may direct or authorise) if he is selected on the ballot.
(4) The foreman shall be such member as the jurors shall choose and the choice shall be made at such time as the judge may direct or, in the absence of a direction, before the jury bring in their verdict or make any other communication to the judge.
Inspection of jury panel.
16.—(1) Every person shall be entitled to reasonable facilities to inspect a panel of jurors free of charge and a party to any proceedings, civil or criminal, to be tried with a jury shall be entitled to a copy free of charge on application to the county registrar.
(2) The rights under subsection (1) shall be exercisable at any time between the issue of the summonses and the close of the trial or the time when it is no longer possible to have a trial with a jury.
(3) The panel referred to in subsection (1) is the panel as prepared for and in advance of the sittings, including any supplemental panel so prepared, and it shall not be necessary to indicate in it that any of the persons in it have been excused in the meantime, or to include any persons summoned under section 14.
(4) The right to inspect the panel shall, however, include a right to be shown, on request, all alterations to the panel and the names of any persons summoned under section 14 and, on request, to be told of any excusals.
Mode of swearing a jury.
17.—(1) When swearing a juror the registrar or other officer acting as registrar shall call out the juror's name and direct him to take the Testament in his hand and shall administer the oath to him in accordance with sections 18 and 19.
(2) The jurors shall be sworn separately.
(3) Any juror who objects to be sworn in the ordinary manner shall make his objection immediately after his name is called out and before the administration of the oath to him has begun.
(4) Every challenge of a juror shall be made immediately after his name is called out and before the administration of the oath to him has begun.
(5) If any juror refuses to be sworn or insists on being sworn in a manner not authorised by this Act or otherwise by law, he shall not be included in the jury then being sworn.
(6) For the purposes of this section the administration of an oath shall be deemed to be begun when the registrar or other officer begins to say the words of the oath to the juror being sworn.
(7) In this section and in the next following section the word “Testament” means, in the case of a person of the Christian faith, the New Testament and, in the case of a person of the Jewish faith, the Old Testament.
Administration of oath to jurors.
18.—(1) The ordinary manner of administering the oath shall be as follows:
The juror to be sworn shall hold the Testament in his uplifted hand and the registrar or other officer shall say to the juror the words “I swear by Almighty God that.....” followed by the appropriate form of oath provided by section 19 and the juror shall repeat after him the words so spoken by him.
(2) The Oaths Act, 1888 (which provides for the making of an affirmation instead of an oath) and also every Act for the time being in force authorising an oath to be taken in a court in any particular manner shall apply to the oaths required by this Act to be taken by jurors.
(3) A juror who states that he has a religious belief but that he is neither of the Christian nor of the Jewish faith may, if the judge so permits, be sworn in any manner that the juror states to be binding on him.
(4) The oath shall be administered to every juror in the ordinary manner without question unless the juror appears to be physically incapable of taking the oath in that manner or objects to taking the oath in that manner and satisfies the judge that he is entitled to take the oath in some other manner.
Forms of oaths to be taken by jurors.
19.—(1) Whenever the issue to be tried is whether an accused person is or is not guilty of an offence, the form of oath to be administered to the jurors shall be as follows :
“I will well and truly try the issue whether the accused is (or are) guilty or not guilty of the offence (or the several offences) charged in the indictment preferred against him (or her or them) and a true verdict give according to the evidence.”
(2) Whenever the issue to be tried is whether an accused person is or is not competent to plead, the form of oath to be administered to the jurors shall be as follows :
“I will well and diligently inquire whether (stating the name of the accused person), the prisoner at the bar, be insane or not and a true verdict give according to the best of my understanding.”
(3) Whenever the issue to be tried is not one of the issues hereinbefore expressly provided for, the form of oath to be administered to the jurors shall be as follows :
“I will well and truly try all such issues as shall be given to me to try and true verdicts give according to the evidence.”
Challenges without cause shown.
20.—(1) In every trial of a civil issue which is tried with a jury each party may challenge without cause shown seven jurors and no more.
(2) In every trial of a criminal issue which is tried with a jury the prosecution and each accused person may challenge without cause shown seven jurors and no more.
(3) Whenever a juror is lawfully challenged without cause shown, he shall not be included in the jury.
Challenges for cause shown.
21.—(1) In every trial of a civil issue which is tried with a jury any party may challenge for cause shown any number of jurors.
(2) In every trial of a criminal issue which is tried with a jury the prosecution and each accused person may challenge for cause shown any number of jurors.
(3) Whenever a juror is challenged for cause shown, such cause shall be shown immediately upon the challenge being made and the judge shall then allow or disallow the challenge as he shall think proper.
(4) Whenever a juror is challenged for cause shown and such challenge is allowed by the judge, the juror shall not be included in the jury.
View by jury.
22.—(1) In the trial of any issue with a jury the judge may, at any time after the jurors have been sworn and before they have given their verdict, by order direct that the jurors shall have a view of any place specified in the order which in the opinion of the judge it is expedient for the purposes of the trial that the jurors should see, and when any such order is made the judge may adjourn the trial at such stage and for such time as appears to him to be convenient for the execution of the order.
(2) In the trial of a civil issue, an order under this section shall be made only on the application of one of the parties and the expenses of the conveyance of the jurors to and from the place specified in the order shall be paid in the first instance by the party on whose application the order was made but shall be included in the costs of that party and be ultimately borne accordingly.
(3) In the trial of a criminal issue, an order under this section shall be made only on the application of the prosecution or of the accused person or of one or more of the accused persons and the expenses of the conveyance of the jurors to and from the place specified in the order shall be paid by the county registrar or other officer acting as registrar to the court during the trial out of moneys to be provided by the Oireachtas.
(4) Whenever a judge makes an order under this section, he shall give such directions as appear to him to be expedient for the purpose of preventing undue communication with the jurors during the execution of the order.
Death or discharge of juror during trial.
23.—Whenever in the course of the trial of any issue a juror dies or is discharged by the judge owing to his being incapable through illness or any other cause of continuing to act as a juror, or under section 9 (7) or 24, the jury shall, unless the judge otherwise directs or the number of jurors is thereby reduced below ten, be considered as remaining properly constituted for all the purposes of the trial and the trial shall proceed and a verdict may be found accordingly.
Discontinuance of juror's service.
24.—In any trial with a jury the judge may at any stage direct that any person summoned or sworn as a juror shall not serve, or shall not continue to serve, as a juror if the judge considers that for any stated reason it is desirable in the interests of justice that he should give that direction.
Separation of jurors during trial.
25.—In any trial with a jury the jurors may separate before considering their verdict except where the judge otherwise directs.
Non-effect of appeals as to electoral register on jury service.
26.—The qualification or liability of a person to serve as a juror shall not be affected by the fact that an appeal is pending under section 8 of the Electoral Act, 1963 (which relates to appeals regarding the register of electors).
PART IV
General
Administrative instructions.
27.—With a view to securing consistency in the administration of this Act, the Minister may issue instructions to county registrars with regard to the practice and the procedure to be adopted by them in the discharge of their duties under this Act; but nothing in this section shall authorise the Minister to issue any instruction as to whether particular persons should or should not be summoned for service as jurors or, if summoned, should or should not be excused from attendance in accordance with the summons.
Person standing mute.
28.—Whenever a person charged with an offence to be tried with a jury stands mute when called upon to plead, the issue whether he is mute of malice or by the visitation of God shall be decided by the judge and, if the judge is not satisfied that he is mute by the visitation of God, the judge shall direct a plea of not guilty to be entered for him.
Jury service by employees and apprentices.
29.—(1) For the purposes of any contract of service or apprenticeship or any agreement collateral thereto (including a contract or agreement entered into before the passing of this Act), a person shall be treated as employed or apprenticed during any period when he is absent from his employment or apprenticeship in order to comply with a jury summons.
(2) Any provision contained in any such contract or agreement shall be void in so far as it would have the effect of excluding or limiting any liability of the employer in respect of the payment of salary or wages to the employee or apprentice during any such absence.
Commission de lunatico inquirendo.
30.—Whenever a panel of jurors is lawfully in attendance before a commissioner under a commission de lunatico inquirendo, then, for the purposes of this Act, the commissioner shall be deemed to be a court and also a judge of the court.
Liability to serve on coroner's jury.
31.—Every citizen of the age of eighteen years or upwards and under the age of sixty-five years residing in a coroner's district shall be qualified and liable to serve on the jury at any coroner's inquest held in that district unless he is ineligible or disqualified under this Act for jury service or is among the persons specified in Part II of the First Schedule.
Non-application of provisions to coroners' inquests.
32.—Nothing in this Act except section 31 shall apply to a coroner's inquest, and in this Act the word “jury” does not include a jury at such an inquest and the word “juror” does not include a juror serving on such a jury.
Restriction of functions of sheriff.
33.—The powers and duties conferred and imposed on a county registrar under this Act shall be exercised and performed by him notwithstanding anything in section 12 of the Court Officers Act, 1945 (which refers to the duties of sheriffs) or in any order made thereunder.
PART V
Offences
Failure of juror to attend court etc.
34.—(1) Any person who, having been duly summoned as a juror, fails without reasonable excuse to attend in compliance with the summons or to attend on any day when required by the court shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.
(2) A juror who, having attended in pursuance of a summons, is not available when called upon to serve as a juror, or is unfit for service by reason of drink or drugs, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.
(3) Except in a case to which section 14 applies, a person shall not be guilty of an offence under subsection (1) in respect of failure to attend in compliance with a summons unless the summons was served at least fourteen days before the date specified therein for his first attendance.
False statements by or on behalf of juror.
35.—(1) If any person who has been duly summoned as a juror makes or causes or permits to be made on his behalf a false representation to the county registrar or any person acting on his behalf, or to a judge, with the intention of evading jury service, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.
(2) If any person makes or causes or permits to be made on behalf of another person duly summoned as a juror a false representation in order to enable that other person to evade jury service, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.
(3) If any person refuses without reasonable excuse to answer, or gives an answer known to him to be false in a material particular, or recklessly gives an answer that is false in a material particular, when questioned by a judge of a court for the purpose of determining whether that person is qualified to serve as a juror, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.
Service by ineligible or disqualified person.
36.—(1) Any person who serves on a jury knowing that he is ineligible for service shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.
(2) Any person who serves on a jury knowing that he is disqualified shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.
Refusal to be sworn as a juror.
37.—Any person who, on being called upon to be sworn as a juror, refuses to be sworn in a manner authorised by this Act or otherwise by law shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Persons Ineligible and Persons Excusable as of Right
Sections 7, 9, 31.
PART I
Persons Ineligible
Uachtarán na h-Éireann.
Persons concerned with administration of justice
Persons holding or who have at any time held any judicial office within the meaning of the Courts (Establishment and Constitution) Act 1961 (No. 38).
Coroners, deputy coroners and persons appointed under section 5 (2) of the Local Authorities (Officers and Employees) Act 1926 (No. 39) to fill the office of coroner temporarily.
The Attorney General and members of his staff.
The Director of Public Prosecutions and members of his staff.
Barristers and solicitors actually practising as such.
Solicitors' apprentices, solicitors' clerks and other persons employed on work of a legal character in solicitors' offices.
Officers attached to a court or to the President of the High Court and officers and other persons employed in any office attached to a court or attached to the President of the High Court.
Persons employed from time to time in any court for the purpose of taking a record of the proceedings of the court.
Members of the Garda Síochána.
Prison officers and other persons employed in any prison, Saint Patrick's Institution or any place provided under section 2 of the Prisons Act 1970 (No. 11) or in any place in which persons are kept in military custody pursuant to section 2 of the Prisons Act 1972 (No. 7) or in any place specified to be used as a prison under section 3 of the latter Act; chaplains and medical officers of, and members of visiting committees for, any such establishment or place.
Persons employed in the welfare service of the Department of Justice.
A person in charge of, or employed in, a forensic science laboratory.
Members of the Defence Forces
Every member of the Permanent Defence Force, including the Army Nursing Service.
Every member of the Reserve Defence Force during any period during which he is in receipt of pay for any service or duty as a member of the Reserve Defence Force.
Incapable persons
A person who because of insufficient capacity to read, deafness or other permanent infirmity is unfit to serve on a jury.
A person who suffers or has suffered from mental illness or mental disability and on account of that condition either—
(a) is resident in a hospital or other similar institution, or
(b) regularly attends for treatment by a medical practitioner.
PART II
Persons Excusable as of Right
Members of either House of the Oireachtas.
Members of the Council of State.
The Comptroller and Auditor General.
The Clerk of Dáil Éireann.
The Clerk of Seanad Éireann.
A person in Holy Orders.
A regular minister of any religious denomination or community.
Vowed members of any religious order living in a monastery, convent or other religious community.
The following persons if actually practising their profession and registered (including provisionally or temporarily registered), enrolled or certified under the statutory provisions relating to that profession :
Medical practitioners;
Dentists;
Nurses;
Midwives;
Veterinary surgeons;
Pharmaceutical chemists.
A member of the staff of either House of the Oireachtas on a certificate from the Clerk of that House that it would be contrary to the public interest for the member to have to serve as a juror because he performs essential and urgent services of public importance that cannot reasonably be performed by another or postponed.
Heads of Government Departments and Offices and any civil servant on a certificate from the head of his Department or Office that it would be contrary to the public interest for the civil servant to have to serve as a juror because he performs essential and urgent services of public importance that cannot reasonably be performed by another or postponed.
Any civilian employed by the Minister for Defence under section 30 (1) (g) of the Defence Act 1954 (No. 18) on a certificate from the Secretary of the Department of Defence that it would be contrary to the public interest for the civilian to have to serve as a juror because he performs essential and urgent services of public importance that cannot reasonably be performed by another or postponed.
Chief officers of local authorities for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1941 (No. 23), health boards established under the Health Act 1970 (No. 1) and harbour authorities within the meaning of the Harbours Act 1946 (No. 9) and any employee of a local authority, health board or harbour authority on a certificate from its chief officer that it would be contrary to the public interest for the employee to have to serve as a juror because he performs essential and urgent services of public importance that cannot reasonably be performed by another or postponed.
The head or principal teacher of the college of a university, of a school or other educational institution, and any professor, lecturer or member of the teaching staff of any such institution on a certificate from such head or principal teacher that the person concerned performs services in the institution that cannot reasonably be performed by another or postponed.
Whole-time students at any such educational institution as is mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
The secretary to the Commissioners of Irish Lights and any person in the employment of the Commissioners on a certificate from the secretary that the person concerned performs services for the Commissioners that cannot reasonably be performed by another or postponed.
Masters of vessels, duly licensed pilots and duly licensed aircraft commanders.
Persons aged sixty-five years or upwards and under the age of seventy years.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Repeals
Section 4.
Number and Year (1) | Short Title (2) | Extent of repeal (3) |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
1908, c. 48 | Post Office Act, 1908. | In section 43, the words “or on any jury or inquest,”. |
1919, c. 71 | Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, 1919. | So much of section 1 as empowers a judge to order an all-male or all-female jury. |
No. 23 of 1927 | Juries Act, 1927. | The whole Act. |
No. 27 of 1930 | Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930. | Section 23 (4). |
No. 48 of 1936 | Courts of Justice Act, 1936. | Section 80. |
No. 21 of 1940 | Local Government (Dublin) (Amendment) Act, 1940. | Section 9 (3). |
No. 24 of 1945 | Juries Act, 1945. | The whole Act. |
No. 18 of 1954 | Defence Act, 1954. | Section 105. |
No. 11 of 1961 | Juries Act, 1961. | The whole Act. |
No. 9 of 1962 | Coroners Act, 1962. | Sections 42 and 59. |
No. 19 of 1963 | In section 7 (1), the words “, after consultation with the Minister for Justice,”. | |
Sections 7 (2) (b), (6) and (8) and 8 (5). | ||
No. 5 of 1964 | Criminal Justice Act, 1964. | Section 7. |