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Uimhir 12 de 1967
AN tACHT UM NÓS IMEACHTA COIRIÚIL, 1967
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Nós Imeachta Coiriúil, 1967, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Tosach feidhme.
2.—Tiocfaidh alt 3 agus Cuid II agus III i ngníomh cibé lá a cheapfaidh an tAire Dlí agus Cirt le hordú.
Aisghairm.
3.—Déantar leis seo gach achtachán dá luaitear sa Sceideal a aisghairm a mhéid a shonraítear sa tríú colún.
Ionchúisitheoir.
4.—San Acht seo ciallaíonn “an t-ionchúisitheoir”, maidir le cion, an duine atá ag ionchúiseamh an chiona, arb é an tArd-Aighne é, duine ag ionchúiseamh ar agra an Ard-Aighne nó duine atá údaraithe le dlí ionchúiseamh a dhéanamh.
CUID II
Réamhscrúdú Cionta Indíotáilte sa Chúirt Dúiche
Nós imeachta.
5.—(1) I gcás ina mbeidh duine cúisithe os comhair na Cúirte Dúiche agus é faoi chúiseamh i gcion indíotáilte, ansin, mura go hachomair a bheidh an cás á thriail, nó mura bpléadálfaidh an cúisí ciontach, déanfaidh an breitheamh réamhscrúdú ar an gcúiseamh de réir forálacha na Coda seo.
(2) Déanfar tagairtí in aon achtachán do réamhscrúdú ciona indíoltáilte a fhorléiriú mar thagairtí don nós imeachta atá leagtha amach sa Chuid seo.
Doiciméid a bheidh le seirbheáil ar an gcúisí.
6.—(1) Cuirfidh an t-ionchúisitheoir faoi deara go seirbheálfar na doiciméid seo a leanas ar an gcúisí—
(a) ráiteas ar na cúisimh ina choinne,
(b) cóip d'aon fhaisnéis mhionnaithe i scríbhinn ar ar tionscnaíodh na himeachtaí,
(c) liosta de na finnéithe a bheartaítear a ghlaoch ag an triail,
(d) ráiteas ar an bhfianaise a thabharfaidh gach finné díobh, agus
(e) liosta d'fhoilseáin (más ann).
(2) Tabharfar cóipeanna de na doiciméid don Chúirt freisin.
(3) Beidh de cheart ag an gcúisí gach foilseán a iniúchadh.
(4) Féadfaidh an t-ionchúisitheoir a chur faoi deara go seirbheálfar ar an gcúisí, agus go dtabharfar don Chúirt, ráiteas breise ar an bhfianaise a thabharfaidh finné ar soláthraíodh cheana féin ráiteas ar a fhianaise.
Réamhscrúdú.
7.—(1) Breithneoidh an breitheamh na doiciméid agus na foilseáin, aon teistíocht nó ráiteas a tógadh de réir an ailt seo agus aon aighneachtaí a dhéanfaidh an t-ionchúisitheoir nó an cúisí nó a dhéanfar thar ceann an ionchúisitheora nó an chúisí.
(2) Beidh an t-ionchúisitheoir agus an cúisí araon i dteideal fianaise a thabhairt trí theistíocht faoi mhionn agus fós a éileamh go ndéanfaidh aon duine, cibé acu a bheidh nó nach mbeidh sé ar an liosta finnéithe a soláthraíodh, freastal os comhair an bhreithimh, agus an duine sin a scrúdú i modh teistíochta faoi mhionn.
(3) Féadfar finné faoi fho-alt (2) a chroscheistiú agus a athcheistiú ar a fhianaise. Scríobhfar síos a theistíocht, léifear amach dó í agus síneoidh sé féin agus an breitheamh í.
(4) (a) Fiafróidh an breitheamh den chúisí an bhfuil aon ní le rá aige mar fhreagra ar an gcúiseamh. Tabharfaidh an breitheamh rabhadh don chúisí nach gá dó aon ní a rá mura mian leis é agus aon ní a déarfaidh sé go scríobhfar síos é agus, má chuirtear ar aghaidh é chun trialach, go bhféadfar é a thabhairt i bhfianaise ag a thriail.
(b) Aon ní a déarfaidh an cúisí mar fhreagra ar cheist agus rabhadh an bhreithimh, scríobhfar síos é agus léifear amach dó é agus síneoidh an breitheamh é.
(c) Féadfar ráiteas an chúisí, agus é sínithe amhlaidh de dhealramh, a thabhairt i bhfianaise ag a thriail gan tuilleadh cruthúnais mura rud é go gcruthófar nár síníodh é ag an mbreitheamh a n-airbheartóidh sé a bheith sínithe aige.
(d) Ní choiscfidh aon ní san fho-alt seo ar an ionchúisitheoir aon admháil, nó aon ráiteas eile a rinne an cúisí aon tráth, má tá sin inghlactha de réir dlí mar fhianaise in aghaidh an chúisí, a thabhairt i bhfianaise.
Cinneadh ar réamhscrúdú.
8.—(1) Más é tuairim an bhreithimh go bhfuil leorchás ann chun an cúisí a chur ar a thriail mar gheall ar an gcion inar cúisíodh é, cuirfidh sé ar aghaidh é chun trialach.
(2) Más é tuairim an bhreithimh go bhfuil leorchás ann chun an cúisí a chur ar a thriail mar gheall ar chion indíotáilte éigin seachas an cion inar cúisíodh é, cuirfidh sé faoi deara é a chúiseamh sa chion sin, rachaidh sé ar aghaidh de réir alt 7 (4), a mbeidh éifeacht aige leis na focail “má chuirtear ar aghaidh é chun trialach” fágtha ar lár as mír (a), agus, mura rud é go bhfuil feidhm ag alt 13, cuirfidh sé ar aghaidh é chun trialach.
(3) Tá fo-ailt (1) agus (2) faoi réir forálacha alt 2 den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951, a bhaineann le mionchionta.
(4) Más é tuairim an bhreithimh nár nochtadh ach cion achomair, agus go dtoileoidh an tArd-Aighne leis sin, cuirfidh sé faoi deara an cúisí a chúiseamh sa chion acomhair agus déileálfaidh sé leis an gcás dá réir sin.
(5) Mura mbeidh feidhm ag aon cheann de na forálacha sin roimhe seo, ordóidh an breitheamh an cúisí a scaoileadh maidir leis an gcion a bheidh faoi scrúdú.
(6) Is i scríbhinn arna síniú ag an mbreitheamh a bheidh ordú ó bhreitheamh ag cur duine cúisithe ar aghaidh chun trialach.
Ordú finné.
9.—(1) Déanfaidh an breitheamh, má chinneann sé an cúisí a chur ar aghaidh chun trialach, ordú (dá ngairtear ordú finné san alt seo) i leith gach duine ar soláthraíodh ráiteas ar a fhianaise nó ar tógadh a theistíocht faoin gCuid seo á cheangal air freastal agus fianaise a thabhairt os comhair na cúirte a ag mbeidh an cúisí le triail agus aon doiciméad nó rud a shonrófar san ordú a thabhairt ar aird.
(2) Aon duine nach ndéanfaidh, gan leithscéal cóir, de réir ordú finné á cheangal air freastal os comhair aon chúirte, beidh sé ciontach i ndíspeagadh na cúirte sin.
(3) Más rud é, ar iarratas ón Ard-Aighne nó ó dhuine cúisithe, gur deimhin leis an mbreitheamh, ó fhianaise faoi mhionn, nach dócha do dhuine áirithe déanamh de réir ordú finné, féadfaidh an breitheamh ceangal cúirtbhanna a chur air láithriú ag an triail, agus má dhiúltaíonn sé dul faoin gceangal sin féadfaidh an breitheamh, le barántas, é a chimiú faoi choimeád go dtí an triail nó go dtí go rachaidh sé sa chúirtbhanna; agus beidh ag an mbreitheamh na cumhachtaí céanna chun iallach a chur ar an duine sin freastal os a chomhair chun críocha an fho-ailt seo atá ag an gCúirt Dúiche maidir le finnéithe in imeachtaí coiriúla.
Toghairm fhinné.
10.—(1) Féadfar toghairm (dá ngairtear toghairm fhinné san alt seo) a eisiúint, ar iarratas ón Ard-Aighne nó ó dhuine cúisithe, as an gcúirt a mbeidh an cúisí curtha ar aghaidh chuici chun trialach á cheangal ar an duine chun a ndíreofar í freastal os comhair chúirt na trialach agus fianaise a thabhairt ag an triail agus aon doiciméad nó rud a thabhairt ar aird a shonrófar sa toghairm, mura rud é gur deimhin leis an gcúirt nach féidir leis an duine sin aon fhianaise ábhartha a thabhairt nó, de réir mar a bheidh, aon doiciméad nó rud a thabhairt ar aird ar dócha dó a bheith ina fhianaise ábhartha.
(2) Aon duine nach ndéanfaidh, gan leithscéal cóir, de réir toghairm fhinné, beidh sé ciontach i ndíspeagadh na cúirte as ar eisíodh an toghairm.
(3) Ní rachaidh an t-alt seo ar dochar d'aon chumhachtaí eile chun iallach a chur ar fhinnéithe freastal ag an triail.
Doiciméid bhreise.
11.—(1) I gcás ina mbeidh an cúisí curtha ar aghaidh chun trialach, cuirfidh an tArd-Aighne faoi deara go seirbheálfar air liosta d'aon fhinnéithe breise a bheartaíonn sé a ghlaoch ag an triail, mar aon le ráiteas ar an bhfianaise a thabharfaidh gach duine díobh, liosta d'aon fhoilseáin bhreise, ráiteas ar aon fhianaise bhreise a thabharfaidh aon fhinné a bhfuil a ainm ar an liosta finnéithe a soláthraíodh cheana féin, agus cóipeanna d'aon ráiteas a taifeadadh faoi alt 7 agus d'aon teistíocht a tógadh faoin alt sin nó faoi alt 14.
(2) Tabharfar cóipeanna de na doiciméid do chúirt na trialach freisin.
Réamhscrúdú a tharscaoileadh ag an gcúisí.
12.—(1) Féadfaidh an cúisí an réamhscrúdú a tharscaoileadh agus glacadh de rogha é a chur ar aghaidh chun trialach le pléadáil neamhchiontach, mura rud é go n-éileoidh an t-ionchúisitheoir go ndéanfaidh finné freastal faoi alt 7 (2).
(2) I gcás tarscaoileadh a dhéanamh amhlaidh ag an gcúisí, cuirfidh an breitheamh ar aghaidh é chun trialach agus cuirfidh an tArd-Aighne faoi deara go seirbheálfar air aon doiciméid is gá a sholáthar don chúisí agus nár seirbheáladh iad cheana féin.
(3) Tabharfar cóipeanna de na doiciméid do chúirt na trialach freisin.
(4) Ní cheadófar do leanbh ná do dhuine óg (de réir bhrí Achta na Leanaí, 1908 go 1957) tarscaoileadh a dhéanamh faoin alt seo ach amháin le toiliú an tuismitheora nó an chaomhnóra ag a bhfuil seilbh agus urláimh iarbhír air.
An nós imeachta má phléadálann cúisí ciontach sa Chúirt Dúiche i gcion indíotáilte.
[1951, ailt 3, 4].
13.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo le gach cion indíotáilte ach amháin iad seo a leanas—cion faoin Acht Tréasa, 1939, dúnmharú, iarracht ar dhúnmharú, comhcheilg um dhúnmharú, píoráideacht nó sárú tromchúiseach den sórt dá dtagraítear in alt 3 (1) (i) den Acht um Choinbhinsiúin na Ginéive, 1962, lena n-áirítear cion ag cúlpháirtí roimh an ngníomh nó i ndiaidh an ghnímh.
(2) Má chinntíonn an Chúirt Dúiche aon uair gur mian le duine atá faoi chúiseamh i gcion lena mbaineann an t-alt seo pléadáil ciontach agus más deimhin leis an gCúirt go dtuigeann sé brí an chiona agus na fíorais a líomhnaítear, féadfaidh an Chúirt—
(a) le toiliú an Ard-Aighne, an cion a thriail go hachomair, agus sa chás sin beidh an cúisí inchurtha faoi na pionóis dá bhforáiltear le fo-alt (3), nó
(b) má shíníonn an cúisí pléadáil ciontach, é a chur ar aghaidh i gcomhair pianbhreithe leis an bpléadáil sin chun cúirte a bhféadfaí go dleathach é a chur ar aghaidh chuici chun trialach, dá mba phléadáil neamhchiontach a bhí déanta aige.
(3) (a) Ar a chiontú ag an gCúirt Dúiche i gcion a triaileadh go hachomair faoi fho-alt (2) (a), dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £100 a chur ar an gcúisí nó, de rogha na Cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag, nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile.
(b) I gcás cion faoi alt 11 den Acht Radio-Thelegrafaíochta, 1926, áfach, ní ghearrfaidh an Chúirt fíneáil is mó ná £10 ná téarma príosúnachta is faide ná mí.
(4) (a) Má chuirtear duine ar aghaidh faoin alt seo i gcomhair pianbhreithe, féadfaidh sé a phléadáil i scríbhinn a tharraingt siar agus pléadáil neamhchiontach sa chúiseamh.
(b) Sa chás sin, taifeadfaidh an chúirt pléadáil neamhchiontach, arb ionann oibriú agus éifeacht di, go huile agus go hiomlán, agus d'ordú ó bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche ag cur an chúisí ar aghaidh chun trialach chun na cúirte sin sa chúiseamh sin, agus cuirfidh an tArd-Aighne faoi deara go seirbheálfar air aon doiciméid is gá a sholáthar don chúisí agus nár seirbheáladh iad cheana féin.
(5) Ní dhéanfaidh an t-alt seo difear do dhlínse na Cúirte faoi alt 2 den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951.
Cumhacht bhreise chun teistíochtaí a thógáil.
14.—(1) Más rud é, ar iarratas ón ionchúisitheoir nó ó dhuine cúisithe, gurb é tuairim bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche go mb'fhéidir go dtarlódh d'fhinné ionchais nach bhféadfaidh sé freastal nó go mbeidh cosc air freastal chun fianaise a thabhairt ag triail an chúisí agus gur gá, ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, a chuid fianaise a thógáil i modh teistíochta faoi mhionn, féadfaidh sé ordú a thabhairt dá réir sin.
(2) Tógfar an teistíocht i láthair breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche agus an chúisí. Scríobhfar síos í, léifear amach don teisteoir í agus síneoidh sé féin agus an breitheamh í.
(3) Sula dtógfar an teistíocht, cuirfidh an breitheamh in iúl don chúisí na himthosca ina bhféadfar í a léamh mar fhianaise ag a thriail.
(4) Féadfar an teisteoir a chroscheistiú agus a athcheistiú ar a fhianaise.
(5) Beidh ag an mbreitheamh na cumhachtaí céanna chun iallach a chur ar fhinné ionchais déanamh de réir an ailt seo, agus chun a áirithiú go bhfreastalóidh an cúisí, atá ag an gCúirt Dúiche maidir le finnéithe in imeachtaí coiriúla.
(6) I gcás ina mbeidh an cúisí curtha ar aghaidh chun trialach is ag an Ard-Aighne amháin is infheidhmithe an ceart iarratais a thugtar don ionchúisitheoir le fo-alt (1).
Teistíocht mar fhianaise.
[1951, a. 9].
15.—(1) Féadfar, faoi réir fho-alt (2), teistíocht a tógadh faoi alt 7 nó 14 a léamh mar fhianaise ag triail an chúisí, má chruthaítear—
(a) go bhfuil an teisteoir marbh nó nach bhféadfaidh sé freastal nó go bhfuil cosc air freastal chun fianaise a thabhairt ag an triail, agus
(b) gur tógadh an teistíocht i láthair an chúisí, agus
(c) gur tugadh caoi chun an teisteoir a chroscheistiú agus a athcheistiú.
(2) Ach amháin i gcás bás an teisteora—
(a) ní léifear teistíocht a tógadh faoi alt 7 ar iarratas ón ionchúisitheoir mura dtoileoidh an cúisí leis sin;
(b) ní léifear teistíocht a tógadh faoi alt 14 má mheasann breitheamh na trialach nach mbeadh sé ar mhaithe leis an gceartas é a léamh.
Cumhacht chun an pobal a eisiamh.
[1951, a. 20 (1) (a)].
16.—(1) Faoi réir forálacha an ailt seo agus aon achtacháin eile, is i gcúirt oscailte a dhéanfar réamhscrúdú.
(2) I gcás inar deimhin leis an gCúirt, mar gheall ar nádúr nó imthosca an cháis, nó ar dhóigh eile ar mhaithe leis an gceartas, gurb inmhianaithe é, féadfaidh an chúirt an pobal nó aon chuid áirithe den phobal nó aon duine nó daoine áirithe ach amháin ionadaithe bona fide an Phreas a eisiamh as an gcúirt le linn na héisteachta.
(3) Ní rachaidh fo-alt (2) chun dochair do cheart tuismitheora, gaoil nó carad de chuid an chúisí nó de chuid páirtí dhíobháilte fanacht sa chúirt in aon chás lena mbaineann alt 20 (4) den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951.
Toirmeasc le himeachtaí a fhoilsiú.
[cf. 1951, a. 20].
17.—(1) Ní fhoilseoidh aon duine, ná ní chuirfidh faoi deara go bhfoilseofar, aon eolas maidir le haon réamhscrúdú áirithe seachas ráiteas á rá go ndearnadh an scrúdú sin maidir le duine ainmnithe ar chúiseamh sonraithe agus ag insint cad é an cinneadh a tugadh ina leith.
(2) Arna léiriú do bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche, ar iarratas ón Ard-Aighne, go ndearna duine ar bith sárú ar fho-alt (1), féadfaidh sé é sin a dheimhniú faoina láimh don Ard-Chúirt, agus féadfaidh an Chúirt, air sin, fiosrú a dhéanamh faoin gcion a líomnaíodh agus, tar éis aon fhinnéithe a éisteacht a thabharfar ar aird in aghaidh nó ar thaobh an duine sin, agus tar éis aon ráiteas a éisteacht a thairgfear mar chosaint, an duine sin a phionósú nó bearta a dhéanamh lena phionósú ionann is dá mbeadh sé ciontach i ndíspeagadh na Cúirte.
(3) Ní bhainfidh fo-alt (1) le foilsiú cibé eolas a gceadóidh an breitheamh a rinne an réamhscrúdú é a fhoilsiú ar iarratas ón gcúisí.
Scóir eile a chur i ndíotáil.
18.—I gcás ina mbeifear tar éis duine a chur ar aghaidh chun trialach faoin gCuid seo, féadfar, in ionad nó i dteannta na scór ar ar cúisíodh an cion ar ina leith a cuireadh ar aghaidh é, aon scóir a chur sa díotáil ina choinne ar scóir iad a bheidh bunaithe ar aon cheann de na doiciméid (lena n-áirítear aon teistíochtaí agus aon ráiteas a tógadh faoi alt 7) agus de na foilseáin a bhreithnigh an breitheamh ag an réamhscrúdú, más scóir iad is féidir a uamadh go dleathach sa díotáil chéanna.
Leasú ar an Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951, agus ar an Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil (Cúnamh Dlíthiúil), 1962.
19.—(1) Déantar leis seo alt 2 (2) den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951, a leasú tríd an mír seo a leanas a chur in ionad mhír (b):
“(b) Ní thriailfear duine go hachomair i gcion a shonraítear sa Chéad Sceideal ag uimhreacha tagartha 1, 2, 3 nó 9 ná i gcion a shonraítear ann ag uimhir thagartha 8 nó 15 i leith maoin ar mó ná dhá chéad punt a luach i dtuairim na Cúirte, ná in iarracht ar aon cheann de na cionta réamhráite a dhéanamh mura mbeidh an tArd-Aighne tar éis toiliú lena thriail amhlaidh.”
(2) Déantar leis seo an Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951 (a shonraíonn na cionta indíotáilte a fhéadfar a thriail go hachomair le toiliú an chúisí) a leasú—
(a) tríd an ábhar atá leagtha amach ag uimhreacha tagartha 8, 14 agus 15 a scriosadh agus an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach—
“8. Cion faoin Larceny Act, 1861.
14. Cion faoi alt 25, 26, 27 nó 28 den Larceny Act, 1916.
15. Cion faoi aon fhoráil (seachas ailt 25, 26, 27 agus 28) den Larceny Act, 1916.”,
(b) tríd an ábhar atá leagtha amach ag uimhir thagartha 18 a scriosadh;
(c) trí na tagairtí breise seo a leanas a chur isteach:
“22. Cion faoi alt 13 den Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1872.
23. Cion faoi ailt 20, 21, 22, 23 nó 51 den Malicious Damage Act, 1861.”
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm ag alt 2 den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil (Cúnamh Dlíthiúil), 1962, maidir le himeachtaí faoin gCuid seo mura rud é gur i ndúnmharú a cúisíodh an cúisí.
Toiliú an Ard-Aighne.
20.—Féadfar toiliú an Ard-Aighne faoi aon fhoráil den Chuid seo a chur in iúl i scríbhinn faoi láimh an Ard-Aighne nó de bhriathra béil ag aon duine a bheidh ag ionchúiseamh thar ceann an Ard-Aighne nó ag láithriú thar a cheann.
CUID III
Athchur Cúisí
Cumhacht chun cúisí a athchur.
21.—I gcás ina mbeidh duine cúisithe os comhair na Cúirte Dúiche i ndáil le cion, féadfaidh an Chúirt, faoi réir forálacha na Coda seo, an cúisí a athchur ó am go ham de réir mar is gá.
Athchur faoi choimeád nó faoi bhannaí ag an gCúirt Dúiche.
22.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an Chúirt Dúiche duine a athchur nó é a chur ar aghaidh chun trialach nó i gcomhair pianbhreithe, féadfaidh an Chúirt—
(a) é a chimiú chun priosúin nó faoi choimeád dleathach eile, nó
(b) é a scaoileadh go coinníollach ar é a dhul i gcúirtbhanna, le hurraí nó gan urraí.
Na tagairtí atá sa Chuid seo do “coimeád”, is tagairtí iad do chimiú faoi mhír (a), agus na tagairtí atá inti do “bannaí”, is tagairtí iad do scaoileadh coinníollach faoi mhír (b).
(2) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, in ionad cúirtbhanna a ghlacadh ó dhuine de réir fho-alt (1), a shocrú cad é méid an chúirtbhanna a mbeidh sé féin agus a urraí, más ann, le bheith faoi cheangal ann d'fhonn go nglacfar iad dá éis sin de réir fho-alt (3) agus idir an dá linn é a chimiú faoi choimeád de réir fho-alt (1) (a).
(3) I gcás ina socróidh an Chúirt méid aon chúirtbhanna faoi fho-alt (2), féadfaidh breitheamh den Chúirt nó feidhmeannach síochána an cúirtbhanna a ghlacadh dá éis sin.
(4) I gcás ina dtabharfar duine os comhair na Cúirte tar éis é a athchur faoi fho-alt (1), féadfaidh an Chúirt é a athchur tuilleadh.
Foirm an chúirtbhanna.
23.—(1) I gcás ina n-athchuirfear duine faoi bhannaí faoi alt 22, beidh sé ina choinníoll sa chúirtbhanna go láithreoidh sé os comhair na Cúirte i ndeireadh na tréimhse athchuir agus gach áit agus am chun a ndéanfar, i gcúrsa na n-imeachtaí, an éisteacht a chur ar atráth.
(2) Measfar gurb athchur é an t-am don chéad láithriú eile a shocrú tráth ar bith.
(3) Ní bhainfidh aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) nó (2) den Chúirt an chumhacht é a athchur as an nua ag aon éisteacht dá éis sin.
Tréimhse athchuir.
24.—(1) Ní dhéanfaidh an Chúirt duine a athchur go ceann tréimhse is faide ná ocht lá, ach amháin i gcás ina bhforálann an t-alt seo a mhalairt.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an Chúirt duine a athchur faoi bhannaí, féadfaidh sí é a athchur go ceann tréimhse is faide ná ocht lá má thoilíonn sé féin agus an t-ionchúisitheoir leis sin.
(3) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an Chúirt duine a athchur faoi choimeád (seachas ar an gcéad ócáid aige ag láithriú os comhair na Cúirte), féadfaidh sí é a athchur go ceann tréimhse is faide ná ocht lá ach nach faide ná tríocha lá, má thoilíonn sé féin agus an t-ionchúisitheoir leis sin.
(4) Más deimhin leis an gCúirt i gcás aon duine atá arna athchur nach féidir leis de dheasca tinnis nó tionóisce láithriú os comhair na Cúirte nó nach féidir dá dheasca sin é a thabhairt os a comhair i ndeireadh na tréimhse athchuir, féadfaidh an Chúirt, gan é a bheith i láthair, é a athchur go ceann cibé tréimhse breise, is féidir a bheith níos faide ná ocht lá, a mheasfaidh an Chúirt a bheith réasúnach.
(5) Mura suífidh an Chúirt an lá a mbeidh duine athchurtha chuige, beidh sé arna athchur go dtí an chéad suí eile den Chúirt a bheidh ar bun sa dúiche chúirte dúiche chéanna.
Athchur faoi choimeád an Gharda Síochána.
25.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chúirt, i gcás ina n-athchuirfidh sí duine faoi choimeád go ceann tréimhse nach faide ná ceithre lá, é a chimiú faoi choimeád comhalta den Gharda Síochána.
(2) Lasmuigh de Cheantar Póilíneachta Cathrach Bhaile Átha Cliath, deimhneoidh an Chúirt di féin, sula n-athchuirfidh sí é amhlaidh, go bhfuil saoráidí oiriúnacha ar fáil chun an duine sin a choimeád ar feadh na tréimhse athchuir.
Taisce a ghlacadh in ionad urraí.
26.—I gcás ina gcinnfidh breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche nó feidhmeannach síochána duine a cúisíodh i gcion a ligean faoi bhannaí, féadfaidh sé a ordú go nglacfar le suim airgid, cóimhéid le suim an bhanna, in ionad urra nó urraí.
Bannaithe leormhaithe.
27.—Deimhneoidh an breitheamh nó an feidhmeannach síochána dó féin i ngach cás gur daoine leormhaithe na daoine a mholtar a ghlacadh mar bhannaithe.
Forálacha maidir le ligean faoi bhannaí.
28.—(1) Ligfidh breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche nó feidhmeannach síochána faoi bhannaí duine a cúisíodh os a chomhair i gcion, seachas cion lena mbaineann alt 29, más léir dó gur cás é inar cheart bannaí a cheadú.
(2) Má dhiúltaítear duine a ligean faoi bhannaí ag láithriú áirithe os comhair na Cúirte Dúiche, ní chuirfidh sin cosc le hathnuachan an iarratais chun é a ligean faoi bhannaí ag láithriú ina dhiaidh sin nó le linn don chúisí bheith faoi choimeád ag fanacht lena thriail.
(3) Má dhiúltaítear d'iarratas ar dhuine a ligean faoi bhannaí, nó má bhíonn an t-iarratasóir míshásta leis na bannaí, féadfaidh sé achomharc a dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte.
(4) Nuair a ligfidh breitheamh nó feidhmeannach síochána faoi bhannaí duine cúisithe atá faoi choimeád, scaoilfear an duine sin ar an gcúirtbhanna a bheith comhlánaithe, mura bhfuil de chúis lena bheith i gcoimeád ach an cion ar ina leith a ligfear faoi bhannaí é.
Bannaí i gcás tréasa, dúnmharú agus cionta áirithe eile.
29.—Baineann an t-alt seo le gach cion acu seo a leanas—
(a) tréas,
(b) cion faoi alt 2 nó 3 den Acht Tréasa, 1939,
(c) cion faoi alt 6, 7 nó 8 den Acht um Chiontaí in Aghaidh an Stáit, 1939,
(d) sárú tromchúiseach den saghas dá dtagraítear in alt 3 (1) (i) den Acht um Choinbhinsiúin na Ginéive, 1962,
(e) cion faoi alt 9 den Acht um Rúin Oifigiúla, 1963, nó cion faoi Chuid II den Acht sin a rinneadh ar dhóigh ba dhochar do shlándáil nó caomhnú an Stáit,
(f) dúnmharú, iarracht ar dhúnmharú, comhcheilg um dhúnmharú nó píoráideacht, lena n-áirítear cúlpháirtí roimh an ngníomh nó i ndiaidh an ghnímh.
(2) Ní dhéanfar aon duine a bheidh cúisithe i gcion lena mbaineann an t-alt seo a ligean faoi bhannaí ach amháin le hordú ón Ard-Chúirt.
(3) Más rud é i gcúrsa imeachtaí, lena n-áirítear imeachtaí ar achomharc, maidir le duine a cúisíodh i gcion faoi mhír (a), (b), (c) nó (e) d'fho-alt (1) a ligean faoi bhannaí, go ndéanfaidh an t-ionchúisitheoir, ar an bhforas go rachadh sé chun dochair do shlándáil nó caomhnú an Stáit aon fhianaise nó ráiteas a fhoilsiú a thabharfar nó a dhéanfar le linn aon chuid den éisteacht, iarratas chun an chuid sin de na himeachtaí a bheith in camera, déanfaidh an Chúirt ordú chuige sin, ach fógrófar breith na Cúirte go poiblí.
Formhuiniú ar bharántais maidir le scaoileadh faoi bhannaí.
30.—(1) Nuair a eiseoidh breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche nó feidhmeannach síochána barántas chun aon duine a ghabháil, féadfaidh sé, más oiriúnach leis é, trífhormhuiniú ar an mbarántas, a ordú go ndéanfar, ar é a ghabháil, an duine a bheidh ainmnithe sa bharántas a scaoileadh ar é a dhul i gcúirtbhanna, le hurraí nó gan urraí, go láithreoidh sé mar a shonrófar san fhormhuiniú, agus socróidh an formhuiniú na suimeanna a mbeidh an duine sin agus a urraí (más ann) le cur faoi cheangal iontu.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfar formhuiniú den sórt sin, déanfaidh an sáirsint nó an comhalta eile den Gharda Síochána a bheidh i gceannas aon stáisiúin chun a dtabharfar, ar é a ghabháil, an duine a bheidh ainmnithe sa bharántas, an duine sin a scaoileadh, ar é a dhul i gcúirtbhanna, le hurraí nó gan urraí a cheadóidh an comhalta sin, de réir an fhormhuinithe.
Scaoileadh faoi bhannaí i gcásanna áirithe ag comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána.
[1951, s. 14].
31.—(1) Aon uair a dhéanfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána duine a thabhairt faoi choimeád go dtí stáisiún Garda Síochána, féadfaidh an sáirsint nó an comhalta eile i gceannas an stáisiúin, má mheasann sé gur den chríonnacht é agus mura mbeidh aon bharántas i bhfeidhm á ordú an duine sin a choinneáil, é a scaoileadh faoi bhannaí agus chuige sin glacfaidh sé uaidh cúirtbhanna, le hurraí nó gan urraí, go láithreoidh sé go cuí os comhair na Cúirte Dúiche san am agus san áit iomchuí.
(2) Féadfar an cúirtbhanna a eistréatadh mar a dhéanfaí eistréatadh ar chúirtbhanna ina ndeachthas os comhair breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche.
(3) Féadfar glacadh le suim airgid, cóimhéid leis an mbanna, in ionad urra nó urraí. Déanfaidh an comhalta den Gharda Síochána a ghlacfaidh é an t-airgead a thaisceadh leis an gcléireach cúirte dúiche don cheantar cúirte dúiche ina bhfuil an stáisiún Garda Síochána.
(4) Ní bhaineann an t-alt seo le duine a ghabhfar faoi alt 251 den Acht Cosanta, 1954, ar amhras gur tréigtheoir nó neamhláithrí gan chead ó Óglaigh na hÉireann é.
Imeachtaí chun cúirtbhanna a eistréatadh.
32.—I gcás inar loic duine láithriú os comhair cúirte de réir a chúirtbhanna, is sa chúirt sin a sheolfar aon imeachtaí chun an cúirtbhanna a eistréatadh.
Cúisí atá ar tí éalú a ghabháil.
33.—(1) I gcás inar ligeadh faoi bhannaí duine a cúisíodh i gcion, féadfaidh breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche nó feidhmeannach síochána, más oiriúnach leis é, ar iarratas a fháil ó urra, nó ó aon duine d'urraí, an chúisí nó ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána agus ar fhaisnéis a dhéanamh i scríbhinn agus faoi mhionn don urra nó don chomhalta sin nó thar a cheann go bhfuil an cúisí ar tí éalú chun dul ón dlí, barántas a eisiúint chun an cúisí a ghabháil.
(2) Nuair a ghabhfar é, tabharfar os comhair breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche é.
(3) Má thugtar an cúisí os comhair breithimh ar dhóigh seachas ag suí den Chúirt don dúiche ina ndearnadh an t-ordú á chur ar aghaidh chun trialach nó, i gcás é a bheith arna athchur, den Chúirt a raibh ceangal air faoina chúirtbhanna láithriú os a comhair, athchuirfidh an breitheamh é chun láithriú os comhair suí den sórt réamhráite, agus chun na críche sin beidh ag an mbreitheamh na cumhachtaí athchuir a thugtar don Chúirt leis an gCuid seo.
(4) Féadfaidh an Chúirt ina suí di mar atá ráite an cúisí a chimiú chun príosúin chun feitheamh lena thriail nó go dtí go rachaidh sé i gcúirtbhanna as an nua nó, i gcás é a bheith arna athchur, é a athchur tuilleadh.
CUID IV
Ilghnéitheach
Ceist dlí a tharchur chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí.
34.—(1) I gcás ina mbeifear, ar cheist dlí, tar éis fíorasc i bhfabhar duine chúisithe a thabhairt faoi threorú ó bhreitheamh na trialach, féadfaidh an tArd-Aighne, gan dochar don fhíorasc i bhfabhar an chúisí, an cheist dlí a tharchur chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí lena cinneadh.
(2) Déanfar sonrú na ceiste a bheidh le tarchur chun na Cúirte Uachtaraí a shocrú ag an Ard-Aighne tar éis dó dul i gcomhairle leis an mbreitheamh a thug an treorú agus cuirfear sa sonrú aon nótaí is mian leis an mbreitheamh a chur leis.
(3) Sannfaidh an Chúirt Uachtarach abhcóide chun argóinteacht a dhéanamh i dtaca leis an gcinneadh.
Leasú ar alt 52 den Acht um Eiseachadadh, 1965.
35.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 52 den Acht um Eiseachadadh, 1965, tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur isteach ann:
“(2A) Féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána cúirtbhanna a ghlacadh faoin alt seo ó dhuine a bheidh curtha faoina choimeád.”
Míniú ar “príosúnacht” i gCuid III den Acht um Eiseachadadh, 1965.
36.—D'fhonn amhras a sheachaint, dearbhaítear leis seo go bhfolaíonn tagairtí do phríosúnacht i gCuid III den Acht um Eiseachadadh, 1965, cibé acu maidir leis an Stát nó aon áit eile é, tagairtí do choimeád dleathach de chineál ar bith ar an duine lena mbaineann.
Cionta faoi dhlí na hAlban.
37.—(1) Chun críocha Chuid III den Acht um Eiseachadadh, 1965—
(a) aon chion is inphionósaithe faoi dhlí na hAlban le bás nó le príosúnacht ar feadh tréimhse uasta sé mhí ar a laghad, déileálfar leis mar chion indíotáilte nach cion achomhair freisin má dheimhníonn Prócadóir Fioscach gur cion indíotáilte é is inphionósaithe amhlaidh agus nach n-ionchúiseofar go hachomhair é, agus
(b) aon chion is inphionósaithe faoin dlí sin leis an bpríosúnacht sin, déiléalfar leis mar chion achomair má dheimhnítear, mar atá ráite, gur go hachomair a ionchúiseofar é agus go bhfuil sé inphionósaithe amhlaidh.
(2) Aon deimhniú a dhealraíonn a bheith tugtha ag Prócadóir Fioscach, féadfar, gan tuilleadh fianaise—
(a) é a ghlacadh ag Coimisinéir an Gharda Síochána,
(b) glacadh leis in aon imeachtaí, mura léir don chúirt cúis mhaith lena mhalairt,
mar fhianaise ar na hábhair a bheidh deimhnithe amhlaidh.
(3) San alt seo folaíonn “Prócadóir Fioscach” Depute.
(4) Forléireofar mar aon ní amháin an t-alt seo agus Cuid III den Acht um Eiseachadadh, 1965.
Cionta faoi dhlíthe Oileáin Mhuir nIocht.
38.—(1) Baineann an alt seo le hOileáin Mhuir nIocht, is é sin, Geirsí agus Báillcheantar Ghearnsaí.
(2) Chun críocha Chuid III den Acht um Eiseachadadh, 1965, aon chion is inphionósaithe faoi dhlí Gheirsí nó aon chuid de Bháillcheantar Ghearnsaí le bás nó príosúnacht ar feadh tréimhse uasta sé mhí ar a laghad, déileálfar leis mar chion indíotáilte nach cion achomair freisin má dheimhníonn an tArd-Aighne do Gheirsí nó do Ghearnsaí, de réir mar a bheidh, gur cion indíotáilte é agus go bhfuil sé inphionósaithe le bás nó le príosúnacht den sórt sin.
(3) Aon deimhniú a dhealróidh a bheith arna thabhairt ag an Ard-Aighne iomchuí, féadfar, gan tuilleadh fianaise—
(a) é a ghlacadh ag Coimisinéir an Gharda Síochána,
(b) glacadh leis in aon imeachtaí, mura léir don chúirt cúis mhaith lena mhalairt,
mar fhianaise ar na hábhair a bheidh deimhnithe amhlaidh.
(4) San alt seo folaíonn “Ard-Aighne” duine a bheidh de thuras na huaire ag oibriú feidhmeanna na hoifige sin.
(5) Forléireofar mar aon ní amháin an t-alt seo agus Cuid III den Acht um Eiseachadadh, 1965.
AN SCEIDEAL
Achtacháin a Aisghairtear
Seisiún agus Caibidil nó Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na haisghairme |
12 & 13 Vict. c. 69. | Indictable Offences (Ireland), Act, 1849. | In alt 16, na focail “within the Jurisdiction of such Justice”, agus “for the Prosecution”. Ailt 17 go 25 agus 27. |
14 & 15 Vict. c. 93. | Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851. | Alt 9 (2). In alt 13 na focail “within the Jurisdiction of such Justice” agus “for the Prosecution”. Ailt 13.6, 14 go 17 agus 19. |
4 & 5 Geo. 5 c. 58. | Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1914. | Ailt 19, 20, 21 agus 43 (1) (d). |
In alt 62, na focail “d'fhaisnéisí do ghlacadh maidir leis an gcúis sin no”. | ||
Alt 3. In alt 4, na focail “nó i gcion indíotáltha lena ndeighleálfar faoi alt 3 den Acht seo”. Ailt 9 agus 14. Alt 20 (1), (2). |
Number 12 of 1967
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT, 1967
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary
Section | |
Preliminary Examination of Indictable Offences in the District Court
Procedure where accused pleads guilty in District Court to indictable offence. | |
Amendment of Criminal Justice Act, 1951, and Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act, 1962. | |
Remand
Release on bail in certain cases by members of Garda Síochána. | |
Miscellaneous
Explanation of “imprisonment” in Part III of Extradition Act, 1965. | |
Enactments Repealed
Acts Referred to | |
1951, No. 2 | |
1939, No. 10 | |
1962, No. 11 | |
1926, No. 45 | |
1962, No. 12 | |
1939, No. 13 | |
1954, No. 18 | |
1963, No. 1 | |
1965, No. 17 | |
Number 12 of 1967
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT, 1967
PART I
Preliminary
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Criminal Procedure Act, 1967.
Commencement.
2.—Section 3 and Parts II and III shall come into operation on such day as the Minister for Justice by order appoints.
Repeals.
3.—Each of the enactments mentioned in the Schedule is hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column.
Prosecutor.
4.—In this Act “the prosecutor”, in relation to an offence, means the person by whom the offence is prosecuted, being the Attorney General, a person prosecuting at the suit of the Attorney General or a person authorised by law to prosecute.
PART II
Preliminary Examination of Indictable Offences in the District Court
Procedure.
5.—(1) Where an accused person is before the District Court charged with an indictable offence then, unless the case is being tried summarily or the accused pleads guilty, the justice shall conduct a preliminary examination of the charge in accordance with the provisions of this Part.
(2) References in any enactment to the preliminary investigation of an indictable offence shall be construed as references to the procedure set out in this Part.
Documents to be served on accused.
6.—(1) The prosecutor shall cause the following documents to be served on the accused—
(a) a statement of the charges against him,
(b) a copy of any sworn information in writing upon which the proceedings were initiated,
(c) a list of the witnesses whom it is proposed to call at the trial,
(d) a statement of the evidence that is to be given by each of them, and
(e) a list of exhibits (if any).
(2) Copies of the documents shall also be furnished to the Court.
(3) The accused shall have the right to inspect all exhibits.
(4) The prosecutor may cause to be served on the accused and furnished to the Court a further statement of the evidence to be given by any witness a statement of whose evidence has already been supplied.
Preliminary examination.
7.—(1) The justice shall consider the documents and exhibits, any deposition or statement taken in accordance with this section and any submissions that may be made by or on behalf of the prosecutor or the accused.
(2) The prosecutor and the accused shall each be entitled to give evidence on sworn deposition and also to require the attendance before the justice of any person, whether included in the supplied list of witnesses or not, and to examine him by way of sworn deposition.
(3) A witness under subsection (2) may be cross-examined and re-examined on his evidence. His deposition shall be taken down in writing, read over to him and signed by him and by the justice.
(4) (a) The justice shall ask the accused if he has anything to say in answer to the charge. The justice shall caution the accused that he is not obliged to say anything unless he wishes to do so and that whatever he does say will be taken down in writing and, if he is sent forward for trial, may be given in evidence at his trial.
(b) Whatever the accused says in answer to the justice's question and caution shall be taken down in writing and read over to him and shall be signed by the justice.
(c) The accused's statement, appearing to be so signed, may be given in evidence at his trial without further proof unless it is proved that it was not signed by the justice by whom it purports to have been signed.
(d) Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the prosecutor from giving in evidence any confession, or other statement made at any time by the accused, which is admissible by law as evidence against the accused.
Decision on preliminary examination.
8.—(1) If the justice is of opinion that there is a sufficient case to put the accused on trial for the offence with which he has been charged, he shall send him forward for trial.
(2) If the justice is of opinion that there is a sufficient case to put the accused on trial for some indictable offence other than that charged, he shall cause him to be charged with that offence, proceed in accordance with section 7 (4), which shall have effect with the omission of the words “if he is sent forward for trial” in paragraph (a), and, unless section 13 applies, send him forward for trial.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) are subject to the provisions of section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951, which relates to minor offences.
(4) If the justice is of opinion that a summary offence only is disclosed, and the Attorney General consents, he shall cause the accused to be charged with the summary offence and deal with the case accordingly.
(5) If none of the foregoing provisions applies, the justice shall order the accused to be discharged as to the offence under examination.
(6) An order of a justice sending an accused person forward for trial shall be in writing signed by the justice.
Witness order.
9.—(1) The justice shall, if he decides to send the accused forward for trial, make an order (in this section referred to as a witness order) in respect of each person a statement of whose evidence has been supplied or whose deposition has been taken under this Part requiring him to attend and give evidence before the court by which the accused is to be tried and to produce any document or thing specified in the order.
(2) A person who without just excuse disobeys a witness order requiring him to attend before any court shall be guilty of contempt of that court.
(3) If, on the application of the Attorney General or an accused person, the justice is satisfied by evidence on oath that a particular person is unlikely to comply with a witness order, the justice may bind him by recognisance to appear at the trial and if he refuses to be so bound the justice may by warrant commit him to custody until the trial or until he enters into the recognisance; and the justice shall have the same powers for enforcing the attendance of such person before him for the purposes of this subsection as the District Court has in relation to witnesses in criminal proceedings.
Witness summons.
10.—(1) A summons (in this section referred to as a witness summons) may, on the application of the Attorney General or an accused person, be issued out of the court to which the accused has been sent forward for trial requiring the person to whom it is directed to attend before the trial court and give evidence at the trial and to produce any document or thing specified in thesummons, unless the court is satisfied that such person cannot give any material evidence or, as the case may be, produce any document or thing likely to be material evidence.
(2) A person who without just excuse disobeys a witness summons shall be guilty of contempt of the court out of which the summons was issued.
(3) This section is without prejudice to any other powers for enforcing the attendance of witnesses at the trial.
Additional documents.
11.—(1) Where the accused has been sent forward for trial the Attorney General shall cause to be served on him a list of any further witnesses whom he proposes to call at the trial, with a statement of the evidence that is to be given by each of them, a list of any further exhibits, a statement of any further evidence that is to be given by any witness whose name appears on the list of witnesses already supplied, and copies of any statement recorded under section 7 and any deposition taken under that section or under section 14.
(2) Copies of the documents shall also be furnished to the trial court.
Waiver by accused of preliminary examination.
12.—(1) The accused may waive the preliminary examination and elect to be sent forward for trial with a plea of not guilty, unless the prosecutor requires the attendance of a witness under section 7 (2).
(2) In the event of such waiver, the justice shall send him forward for trial and the Attorney General shall cause to be served on him any documents required to be supplied to the accused and not already served.
(3) Copies of the documents shall also be furnished to the trial court.
(4) A child or young person (within the meaning of the Children Acts, 1908 to 1957) shall not be permitted to exercise a waiver under this section except with the consent of the parent or guardian having the actual possession and control of him.
Procedure where accused pleads guilty in District Court to indictable offence.
[1951, ss. 3, 4].
13.—(1) This section applies to all indictable offences except the following—an offence under the Treason Act, 1939, murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to murder, piracy or a grave breach such as is referred to in section 3 (1) (i) of the Geneva Conventions Act, 1962, including an offence by an accessory before or after the fact.
(2) If at any time the District Court ascertains that a person charged with an offence to which this section applies wishes to plead guilty and the Court is satisfied that he understands the nature of the offence and the facts alleged, the Court may—
(a) with the consent of the Attorney General, deal with the offence summarily, in which case the accused shall be liable to the penalties provided for by subsection (3), or
(b) if the accused signs a plea of guilty, send him forward for sentence with that plea to a court to which, if he had pleaded not guilty, he could lawfully have been sent forward for trial.
(3) (a) On conviction by the District Court for an offence dealt with summarily under subsection (2) (a), the accused shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £100 or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(b) In the case, however, of an offence under section 11 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926, the District Court shall not impose a fine exceeding £10 or a term of imprisonment exceeding one month.
(4) (a) Where a person is sent forward for sentence under this section he may withdraw his written plea and plead not guilty to the charge.
(b) In that event, the court shall enter a plea of not guilty, which shall have the same operation and effect in all respects as an order of a justice of the District Court sending the accused forward for trial to that court on that charge, and the Attorney General shall cause to be served on him any documents required to be supplied to the accused and not already served.
(5) This section shall not affect the jurisdiction of the Court under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951.
Further power to take depositions.
14.—(1) Where, on the application of the prosecutor or an accused person, a justice of the District Court is of opinion that a prospective witness may be unable to attend or be prevented from attending to give evidence at the trial of the accused and that it is necessary in the interests of justice to take his evidence by way of sworn deposition, he may order accordingly.
(2) The deposition shall be taken in the presence of a justice of the District Court and of the accused. It shall be taken down in writing, read over to the deponent and signed by him and by the justice.
(3) Before the deposition is taken, the justice shall inform the accused of the circumstances in which it may be read as evidence at his trial.
(4) The deponent may be cross-examined and re-examined on his evidence.
(5) The justice shall have the same powers for enforcing compliance with this section by a prospective witness and for securing the attendance of the accused as the District Court has in relation to witnesses in criminal proceedings.
(6) Where the accused has been sent forward for trial the right of application given to the prosecutor by subsection (1) shall be exercisable by, and only by, the Attorney General.
Deposition as evidence.
[1951, s. 9].
15.—(1) A deposition taken under section 7 or 14 may, subject to subsection (2), be read as evidence at the trial of the accused if it is proved that—
(a) the deponent is dead or unable to attend or prevented from attending to give evidence at the trial, and
(b) the deposition was taken in the presence of the accused, and
(c) an opportunity was given for the cross-examination and re-examination of the deponent.
(2) Except in the case of the deponent's death—
(a) a deposition taken under section 7 on the application of the prosecutor shall not be read unless the accused consents;
(b) a deposition taken under section 14 shall not be read if the trial judge considers that to do so would not be in the interests of justice.
Power to exclude public.
[1951, s. 20(1) (a)].
16.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section and any other enactment, a preliminary examination shall be in open court.
(2) Where the court is satisfied, because of the nature or circumstances of the case or otherwise in the interests of justice, that it is desirable, the court may 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.
(3) Subsection (2) is without prejudice to the right of a parent, relative or friend of the accused or of an injured party to remain in court in any case to which section 20 (4) of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951, applies.
Prohibition of publication of proceedings.
[cf. 1951, s. 20].
17.—(1) No person shall publish or cause to be published any information as to any particular preliminary examination other than a statement of the fact that such examination in relation to a named person on a specified charge has been held and of the decision thereon.
(2) If it appears to a justice of the District Court, on the application of the Attorney General, that any person has contravened subsection (1), he may certify to that effect under his hand to the High Court and the Court may thereupon inquire into the alleged offence and after hearing any witnesses who may be produced against or on behalf of that person, and after hearing any statement that may be offered in defence, punish or take steps for the punishment of that person in the like manner as if he had been guilty of contempt of the Court.
(3) Subsection (1) shall not apply to the publication of such information as the justice by whom the preliminary examination was conducted permits to be published at the request of the accused.
Inclusion of further counts in indictment.
18.—Where a person has been sent forward for trial under this Part the indictment against him may include, either in substitution for or in addition to counts charging the offence for which he has been sent forward, any counts founded on any of the documents (including any depositions and any statement taken under section 7) and exhibits considered by the justice at the preliminary examination, being counts which may lawfully be joined in the same indictment.
Amendment of Criminal Justice Act, 1951, and Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act, 1962.
19.—(1) Section 2 (2) of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951, is hereby amended by the substitution, for paragraph (b), of the following paragraph:
“(b) A person shall not be tried summarily for an offence specified in the First Schedule at reference numbers 1, 2, 3 or 9 or for an offence specified therein at reference number 8 or 15 which involves property the value of which, in the opinion of the Court, exceeds two hundred pounds or for an attempt to commit any of the aforesaid offences unless the Attorney General has consented to his being so tried.”
(2) The First Schedule to the Criminal Justice Act, 1951 (which specifies the indictable offences which may be tried summarily with the consent of the accused) is hereby amended—
(a) by the deletion of the matter set out at reference numbers 8, 14 and 15 and the insertion of—
“8. An offence under the Larceny Act, 1861.
14. An offence under section 25, 26, 27 or 28 of the Larceny Act, 1916.
15. An offence under any provision (other than sections 25, 26, 27 and 28) of the Larceny Act, 1916.”;
(b) by the deletion of the matter set out at reference number 18;
(c) by the insertion of the following additional references:
“22. An offence under section 13 of the Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1872.
23. An offence under sections 20, 21, 22, 23 or 51 of the Malicious Damage Act, 1861.”
(3) Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act, 1962, shall not apply in relation to proceedings under this Part unless the accused is charged with murder.
Consent of Attorney General.
20.—The consent of the Attorney General under any provision of this Part may be conveyed in writing signed by the Attorney General or orally by a person prosecuting at the suit of the Attorney General or appearing on his behalf.
PART III
Remand
Power to remand.
21.—Where an accused person is before the District Court in connection with an offence the Court may, subject to the provisions of this Part, remand the accused from time to time as occasion requires.
Remand in custody or on bail by the District Court.
22.—(1) Where the District Court remands a person or sends him forward for trial or sentence, the Court may—
(a) commit him to prison or other lawful custody, or
(b) release him conditionally on his entering into a recognisance, with or without sureties.
In this Part, references to “custody” are to a committal under paragraph (a) and references to “bail” are to a conditional release under paragraph (b).
(2) The Court may, instead of taking a recognisance from a person in accordance with subsection (1), fix the amount of the recognisance in which he and his sureties, if any, are to be bound with a view to their being subsequently taken in accordance with subsection (3) and in the meantime commit him to custody in accordance with subsection (1) (a).
(3) Where the Court fixes the amount of a recognisance under subsection (2), the recognisance may thereafter be taken by a justice of the Court or by a peace commissioner.
(4) Where a person is brought before the Court after remand under subsection (1) the Court may further remand him.
Form of recognisance.
23.—(1) Where a person is remanded on bail under section 22 the recognisance shall be conditioned for his appearance before the Court at the end of the period of remand and at every place and time to which during the course of the proceedings the hearing may be adjourned.
(2) The fixing at any time of the time for the next appearance shall be deemed to be a remand.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) shall deprive the Court of power at any subsequent hearing to remand him afresh.
Period of remand.
24.—(1) The Court shall not remand a person for a period exceeding eight days, except where this section otherwise provides.
(2) Where the Court remands a person on bail, it may remand him for a longer period than eight days if he and the prosecutor consent.
(3) Where the Court remands a person in custody (other than on the occasion of his first appearance before the Court) it may remand him for a period exceeding eight days but not exceeding thirty days if he and the prosecutor consent.
(4) If the Court is satisfied that any person who has been remanded is unable by reason of illness or accident to appear or to be brought before the Court at the expiration of the period of remand, the Court may, in his absence, remand him for such further period, which may exceed eight days, as the Court considers reasonable.
(5) Where there is no sitting of the Court on the day to which a person is remanded, he shall stand remanded to the sitting of the Court next held in the same district court district.
Remand to custody of Garda Síochána.
25.—(1) The Court may, where it remands a person in custody for a period not exceeding four days, commit him to the custody of a member of the Garda Síochána.
(2) Outside the Dublin Metropolitan Police District the Court, before so remanding him, shall satisfy itself that suitable facilities are available for the custody of such person during the period of remand.
Acceptance of deposit in lieu of sureties.
26.—Where a justice of the District Court or peace commissioner decides to admit to bail a person charged with an offence, he may direct that a sum of money equivalent to the amount of bail be accepted in lieu of a surety or sureties.
Sufficiency of bailsmen.
27.—The justice or peace commissioner shall in every case satisfy himself as to the sufficiency of the persons proposed to be accepted as bailsmen.
Provisions as to admission to bail.
28.—(1) A justice of the District Court or a peace commissioner shall admit to bail a person charged before him with an offence, other than an offence to which section 29 applies, if it appears to him to be a case in which bail ought to be allowed.
(2) Refusal of bail at a particular appearance before the District Court shall not prevent a renewal of the application for bail at a subsequent appearance or while the accused is in custody awaiting trial.
(3) Where an application for bail is refused, or where the applicant is dissatisfied with the bail, he may appeal to the High Court.
(4) When a justice or a peace commissioner grants bail to an accused person who is in custody that person shall, on completion of the recognisance, be released if he is in custody for no other cause than the offence in respect of which bail is granted.
Bail in case of treason, murder and certain other offences.
29.—(1) This section applies to each of the following offences—
(a) treason,
(b) an offence under section 2 or 3 of the Treason Act, 1939,
(c) an offence under section 6, 7 or 8 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939,
(d) a grave breach such as is referred to in section 3 (1) (i) of the Geneva Conventions Act, 1962,
(e) an offence under section 9 of the Official Secrets Act, 1963, or an offence under Part II of that Act committed in a manner prejudicial to the safety or preservation of the State,
(f) murder, attempt to murder, conspiracy to murder or piracy, including an accessory before or after the fact.
(2) A person charged with an offence to which this section applies shall not be admitted to bail except by order of the High Court.
(3) If in the course of proceedings, including proceedings on appeal, in relation to the grant of bail to a person charged with an offence under paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (e) of subsection (1), application is made by the prosecutor, on the ground that the publication of any evidence or statement to be given or made during any part of the hearing would be prejudicial to the safety or preservation of the State, that that part of the proceedings should be in camera, the Court shall make an order to that effect, but the decision of the Court shall be announced in public.
Endorsement on warrants as to release on bail.
30.—(1) A justice of the District Court or a peace commissioner on issuing a warrant for the arrest of any person may, if he thinks fit, by endorsement on the warrant, direct that the person named in the warrant be on arrest released on his entering into such a recognisance, with or without sureties, for his appearance as may be specified in the endorsement, and the endorsement shall fix the amounts in which that person and his sureties (if any) are to be bound.
(2) Where such an endorsement is made, the sergeant or other member of the Gárda Síochána in charge of any station to which on arrest the person named in the warrant is brought shall discharge him upon his entering into a recognisance, with or without sureties approved by that member, in accordace with the endorsement.
Release on bail in certain cases by members of Garda Síochána.
[1951, s. 14].
31.—(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.
(2) The recognisance may be estreated in the like manner as a recognisance entered into before a justice is estreated.
(3) A sum of money equivalent to the amount of bail may be accepted in lieu of a surety or sureties. The money shall be deposited by the member of the Garda Síochána receiving it with the district court clerk for the district court area in which the Garda Síochána station is situate.
(4) This section does not apply to a person arrested under section 251 of the Defence Act, 1954, on suspicion of being a deserter or an absentee without leave from the Defence Forces.
Proceedings to estreat recognisance.
32.—Where a person has failed to appear before a court in accordance with his recognisance, any proceedings to estreat the recognisance shall be taken in that court.
Arrest of accused about to abscond.
33.—(1) Where a person charged with an offence has been admitted to bail, a justice of the District Court or a peace commissioner may, if he thinks fit, on the application of the surety or any of the sureties of the accused or of a member of the Garda Síochána and upon information being made in writing and on oath by or on behalf of such surety or member that the accused is about to abscond for the purpose of evading justice, issue a warrant for the arrest of the accused.
(2) When arrested he shall be brought before a justice of the District Court.
(3) If the accused is brought before a justice otherwise than at a sitting of the Court for the district in which the order sending him forward for trial was made or, if he is on remand, of the Court before which he was bound by his recognisance to appear, the justice shall remand him to appear before such a sitting as aforesaid, and for this purpose the justice shall have the powers of remand conferred on the Court by this Part.
(4) The Court sitting as aforesaid may commit the accused to prison to await his trial or until he enters into a fresh recognisance or, if he is on remand, further remand him.
PART IV
Miscellaneous
Reference of question of law to Supreme Court.
34.—(1) Where, on a question of law, a verdict in favour of an accused person is found by direction of the trial judge, the Attorney General may, without prejudice to the verdict in favour of the accused, refer the question of law to the Supreme Court for determination.
(2) The statement of the question to be referred to the Supreme Court shall be settled by the Attorney General after consultation with the judge by whom the direction was given and shall include any observations which the judge may wish to add.
(3) The Supreme Court shall assign counsel to argue in support of the decision.
Amendment of section 52 of Extradition Act, 1965.
35.—Section 52 of the Extradition Act, 1965, is hereby amended by the insertion of the following subsection:
“(2A) A recognisance may be taken from a person under this section by the member of the Garda Síochána into whose custody he has been committed.”
Explanation of “imprisonment” in Part III of Extradition Act, 1965.
36.—In order to remove doubts it is hereby declared that references to imprisonment in Part III of the Extradition Act, 1965, whether in relation to the State or to any other place, include references to any form of lawful custody of the person affected.
Offences under the law of Scotland.
37.—(1) For the purposes of Part III of the Extradition Act, 1965—
(a) an offence punishable under the law of Scotland by death or by imprisonment for a maximum period of at least six months shall be treated as being an indictable offence and not also a summary offence if it is certified by a Procurator Fiscal that the offence is an indictable offence so punishable and that it will not be prosecuted summarily, and
(b) an offence punishable under the said law by such imprisonment shall be treated as being a summary offence if it is certified, as aforesaid, that it will be prosecuted cummarily and that it is so punishable.
(2) A certificate appearing to be given by a Procurator Fiscal may without further evidence—
(a) be accepted by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána,
(b) be admitted in any proceedings, unless the court sees good reason to the contrary,
as evidence of the matters so certified.
(3) In this section “Procurator Fiscal” includes a Depute.
(4) This section shall be construed as one with Part III of the Extradition Act, 1965.
Offences under the laws of the Channel Islands.
38.—(1) This section applies in relation to the Channel Islands, namely, Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
(2) For the purposes of Part III of the Extradition Act, 1965, an offence punishable under the law of Jersey or of any part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey by death or by imprisonment for a maximum period of at least six months shall be treated as being an indictable offence and not also a summary offence if it is certified by the Attorney General for Jersey or Guernsey, as the case may be, that the offence is an indictable offence and that it is punishable by death or by such imprisonment.
(3) A certificate appearing to be given by the appropriate Attorney General may without further evidence—
(a) be accepted by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána,
(b) be admitted in any proceedings, unless the court sees good reason to the contrary,
as evidence of the matters so certified.
(4) In this section “Attorney General” includes a person for the time being exercising the functions of that office.
(5) This section shall be construed as one with Part III of the Extradition Act 1965.
SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
Session and Chapter or Number and Year | Short title | Extent of repeal |
12 & 13 Vict. c. 69. | Indictable Offences (Ireland) Act, 1849. | In section 16, the words “within the Jurisdiction of such Justice”, and “for the Prosecution”. |
Sections 17 to 25 and 27. | ||
14 & 15 Vict. c. 93. | Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act, 1851. | Section 9 (2). |
In section 13 the words “within the Jurisdiction of such Justice” and “for the Prosecution”. | ||
Sections 13.6, 14 to 17 and 19. | ||
4 & 5 Geo. 5 c. 58. | Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1914. | Sections 19, 20, 21 and 43 (1) (d). |
No. 48 of 1936. | Courts of Justice Act, 1936. | In section 62, the words “to receive informations in relation to such charge or”. |
No. 2 of 1951. | ||
In section 4, the words “or for an indictable offence dealt with under section 3 of this Act”. | ||
Sections 9 and 14. | ||
Section 20 (1), (2). |