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Uimhir 19 de 1941.
ACHT GÁRDA SÍOCHÁNA (CÚITEAMH), 1941.
[An tionntódh oifigeamhail.]
Mínithe.
1.—San Acht so—
cialluíonn an abairt “an tAire” an tAire Dlighidh agus Cirt;
cialluíonn an focal “orduithe” orduithe le rialacháin ar n-a ndéanamh ag an Aire fén Acht so.
Báis agus díobhála le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so.
2.—(1) Baineann an tAcht so—
(a) le bás baill den Ghárda Síochána éagfaidh tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith de dheascaibh díobhála do rinneadh dó go mailíseach (roimh an Acht so do rith no dá éis sin)—
(i) agus é ag cólíonadh a dhualgas mar bhall den tsórt san le linn dó bheith ar diúité, no
(ii) le linn dó bheith ag feidhmiú comhacht no ag gníomhú ar shlí eile ina fheadhmannas ghenerálta phóilín dó agus é o dhiúité no ar saoire no o dhiúité ar shlí eile, no
(iii) le linn dó bheith ar diúité no o dhiúité no ar saoire no tráth ar bith eile de bhíthin éinní do rinne sé (roimh an Acht so do rith no dá éis sin) mar bhall den Ghárda Síochána no de bhíthin amháin é bheith ina bhall den Ghárda Síochána,
(b) le bás duine do bhí roimhe sin ina bhall den Ghárda Síochána ach a mbeidh scurtha aige, tráth a bháis, de bheith ina bhall amhlaidh (pé aca roimh an Acht so do rith no dá éis sin do thárla an scur san) agus a éagfaidh, tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith, de dheascaibh díobhála do rinneadh dó go mailíseach (roimh an Acht so do rith no dá éis sin) de bhíthin éinní do rinne sé (roimh an Acht so do rith no dá éis sin) mar bhall den Ghárda Síochána no de bhíthin amháin gur bhall den Ghárda Síochána é, agus
(c) le díobhála pearsanta (ná fuarthas bás dá ndeascaibh) do rinneadh, tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith, do bhall den Ghárda Síochána—
(i) le linn dó bheith ag cólíonadh a dhualgas mar bhall den tsórt san agus é ar diúité, no
(ii) le linn dó bheith ag feidhmiú comhacht no ag gníomhú ar shlí eile ina fheadhmanas ghenerálta phóilín dó agus é o dhiúité no ar saoire no o dhiúité ar shlí eile, no
(iii) le linn dó bheith ar diúité no o dhiúité no ar saoire no tráth ar bith eile de bhíthin éinní do rinne sé roimhe sin (roimh an Acht so do rith no dá éis sin) mar bhall den Ghárda Síochána no de bhíthin amháin é bheith ina bhall den Ghárda Síochána, agus
(d) le díobhála pearsanta (ná fuarthas bás dá ndeascaibh) a déanfar go mailíseach, tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith, do dhuine do bhí roimhe sin ina bhall den Ghárda Síochána ach a mbeidh scurtha aige, tráth déanta na ndíobhála san, de bheith ina bhall amhlaidh (pé aca roimh an Acht so do rith no dá éis sin do thárla an scur san) más amhlaidh do rinneadh na díobhála san don duine sin de bhíthin éinní do rinne sé (roimh an Acht so do rith no dá éis sin) mar bhall den Ghárda Síochána no de bhíthin amháin gur bhall den Ghárda Síochána é.
(2) Baineann an tAcht so freisin—
(a) le bás thárla an 1adh lá d'Eanar, 1940, no dá éis sin, agus roimh no ar dháta an Achta so do rith agus do bheadh, dá mba tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith do thárlódh sé, ina bhás le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so de bhuadh an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo den alt so, agus
(b) le díobhála pearsanta (ná fuarthas bás dá ndeascaibh) do rinneadh do dhuine an 1adh lá d'Eanar, 1940, no dá éis sin, agus roimh no ar dháta an Achta so do rith agus do bheadh, dá mba tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith a déanfaí iad, ina ndíobhála le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so de bhuadh an fho-ailt sin roimhe seo.
Daoine dá bhféadfar cúiteamh fén Acht so do dheonadh.
3.—(1) Is do sna daoine seo leanas amháin is féidir cúiteamh fén Acht so do dheonadh mar gheall ar bhás dhuine:—
(a) baintreach an duine sin;
(b) clann no leas-chlann an duine sin;
(c) tuismitheoirí an duine sin;
(d) driotháracha, leas-driotháracha, driféaracha agus leasdriféaracha an duine sin;
(e) aithreacha móra agus máithreacha móra an duine sin;
(f) ucht-chlann don duine sin do bhí fé bhun bliain is fiche d'aois le linn a bháis agus do bhí á gcothabháil agus á n-oidiú go hiomlán no go leathrannach ag an duine sin.
(2) Ní féadfar cúiteamh fén Acht so alos díobhála pearsanta ná fuarthas bás dá ndeascaibh do dheonadh ach amháin don duine dá ndearnadh na díobhála san.
Ceart chun cúiteamh fén Acht so d'iarraidh ar an Aire.
4.—(1) Féadfaidh éinne adeir é bheith i dteideal cúitimh fén Acht so mar gheall ar bhás dhuine an cúiteamh san d'iarraidh ar an Aire do réir an Achta so.
(2) Féadfaidh éinne adeir é bheith i dteideal cúitimh fén Acht so alos díobhála pearsanta do rinneadh dhó an cúiteamh san d'iarraidh ar an Aire do réir an Achta so.
Iarratais chun an Aire ar chúiteamh fén Acht so.
5.—Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le hiarratais chun an Aire ar chúiteamh fén Acht so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) i gcás iarratais alos báis a thárlóidh no díobhála déanfar tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith, déanfar an t-iarratas fé cheann trí mhí tar éis lá an bháis sin no lá déanta na ndíobhála san (do réir mar a bheidh) no fé cheann pé tréimhse, is sia ná san, tar éis an lae sin a cheadóidh an tAire (pé aca roimh an trí mhí sin do bheith caithte no dá éis sin é) in aon chás áirithe;
(b) i gcás iarratais alos báis do thárla no díobhála do rinneadh roimh no ar dháta an Achta so do rith, déanfar an t-iarratas fé cheann trí mhí tar éis dáta an Achta so do rith no fé cheann pé tréimhse, is sia ná san, tar éis an dáta san a cheadóidh an tAire (pé aca roimh an trí mhí sin do bheith caithte no dá éis sin é) in aon chás áirithe;
(c) is sa bhfuirm agus sa tslí orduithe déanfar an t-iarratas agus luadhfar ann na nithe sin go léir is gá do réir na fuirme orduithe sin do luadh ann;
(d) más mion-aoiseach an t-iarratasóir, isé a thuismitheoir, a chaomhnóir no a neas-chara dhéanfaidh an t-iarratas thar a cheann agus is tuigthe, chun crícheanna na míreanna ina dhiaidh seo den alt so, gurb é an tuismitheoir, an caomhnóir no an neas-chara san an t-iarratasóir;
(e) féadfaidh an tAire, má mheasann san do bheith ceart, a cheangal ar an iarratasóir aon eolas eile iarrfaidh an tAire do thabhairt maidir leis an iarratas;
(f) féadfaidh an tAire, má mheasann san do bheith ceart, a cheangal ar an iarratasóir an t-iarratas d'fhíorú le dearbhú reachtúil ón iarratasóir no o dhuine eile go n-eolas aige féin ar na fíorais iomchuibhe.
Comhachta an Aire maidir le hiarratais ar chúiteamh.
6.—(1) Pé uair a déanfar iarratas go cuibhe chun an Aire ag lorg cúitimh fén Acht so, beidh éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) más iarratas alos báis duine é, údaróidh an tAire don iarratasóir iarratas do dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte do réir an Achta so ag lorg an chúitimh sin;
(b) más iarratas alos díobhála ná fuarthas bás dá ndeascaibh é, ansan—
(i) i gcás an tAire dá mheas gur mion-díobhála na díobhála san agus gur i gcúrsa dualgas do chólíonadh nár bhain fionntar speisialta leis do fulaingeadh iad, diúltóidh an tAire don iarratas,
(ii) i gcás an tAire dá mheas gur mion-díobhála na díobhála san ach gur i gcúrsa dualgas do chólíonadh le n-ar bhain fionntar speisialta do fulaingeadh iad agus fós gur leor suim nach mó ná céad punt mar chúiteamh ionta, féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, pé suim, nach mó ná céad punt, is dóich leis is ceart d'íoc leis an iarratasóir,
(iii) in aon chás eile, údaróidh an tAire don iarratasóir iarratas do dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte do réir an Achta so ag lorg an chúitimh sin.
(2) Ní dhéanfaidh an tAire cúiteamh alos díobhála pearsanta ná fuarthas bás dá ndeascaibh do dheonadh fén alt so maran deimhin leis go mbaineann an tAcht so leis na díobhála san agus gurb é neach iarrtha an chúitimh sin an duine dá ndearnadh na díobhála san.
(3) Ní bheidh dul thar an mbreith do bhéarfaidh an tAire fén alt so ar iarratas ar chúiteamh a déanfar chuige fén Acht so.
Iarratais chun na hArd-Chúirte ar chúiteamh fén Acht so.
7.—(1) Einne dhéanfaidh cúiteamh fén Acht so d'iarraidh ar an Aire fén Acht so agus dá n-údaróidh an tAire an cúiteamh san d'iarraidh ar an Ard-Chúirt, féadfaidh iarratas do dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte do réir an údaráis sin agus an ailt seo.
(2) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach iarratas a déanfar fén alt so chun na hArd-Chúirte ag lorg cúitimh fén Acht so, sé sin le rá:—
(a) déanfar an t-iarratas fé cheann dhá mhí ón dáta ar a gcuirfear in úil don iarratasóir an t-údarás san do bheith aige ón Aire;
(b) is amhlaidh a déanfar an t-iarratas tré ghairm achmair no i naon tslí achmair eile bheidh orduithe le rialacha cúirte agus bunófar é ar dhearbhóid ina luadhfar na fíorais ar a mbeifear ag seasamh chun neartú leis an iarratas, agus isé an t-iarratasóir no duine de sna hiarratasóirí dhéanfaidh é no, más mion-aoiseach an t-iarratasóir, a thuismitheoir no a chaomhnóir no a neas-chara;
(c) ach amháin sa mhéid go n-ordóidh an Chúirt a mhalairt, is viva voce bhéarfar an fhianaise go léir, seachas an dearbhóid sin, nuair a bheidh an t-iarratas á éisteacht:
(d) ní déanfar an duine dhéanfaidh an dearbhóid sin do chosc, toisc an dearbhóid sin do dhéanamh, ar fhianaise do thabhairt viva voce nuair a bheidh an t-iarratas á éisteacht;
(e) isé an tAire Airgeadais a hainmneofar mar chosantóir;
(f) is breitheamh den Ard-Chúirt éistfidh an t-iarratas agus a bhéarfaidh breith air agus ní bheidh dul thar a bhreithsean ná athchomharc ina coinnibh, lasmuich de chás dá bhforáltar a mhalairt leis an Acht seo;
(g) déanfaidh Uachtarán na hArd-Chúirte socrú o am go ham chun a áirithiú gurb é an t-aon bhreitheamh amháin, sa mhéid gur féidir é, a éistfidh gach iarratas fén alt so;
(h) pé aca eireoidh leis an iarratas no ná heireoidh íocfaidh an tAire Airgeadais (sa mhéid ná déanfaidh an breitheamh éistfidh an t-iarratas a mhalairt d'ordú, ar chúis) costais an iarratasóra nuair a bheid meas-iniúchta agus déanta amach, agus íocfaidh an tAire sin a chostais féin (sa mhéid adubhradh) agus forálfar dá réir sin leis an ordú a dhéanfaidh an breitheamh ar éisteacht an iarratais dó.
Comhachta na hArd-Chúirte maidir le hiarratais a déanfar chúichi.
8.—(1) Más deimhin leis an mbreitheamh a bheidh ag éisteacht iarratais chun na hArd-Chúirte ar chúiteamh fén Acht so alos báis duine—
(a) go mbaineann an tAcht so leis an mbás san, agus
(b) gur duine an t-iarratasóir dar féidir cúiteamh fén Acht so do dheonadh alos an bháis sin, agus
(c) go raibh an t-iarratasóir i gcleithiúnas an duine mhairbh ar fad no go leathrannach, agus
(d) gur fhulaing an t-iarratasóir caillteanas de dheascaibh an báis sin, agus
(e) go bhfuil údaruithe go cuibhe ag an Aire don iarratasóir an t-iarratas do dhéanamh,
deonfaidh an breitheamh don iarratasóir cúiteamh fén Acht so alos an bháis sin agus ceapfaidh méid an chúitimh sin do réir an Achta so agus ordóidh go ndéanfaidh an tAire Airgeadais an cúiteamh a deonfar agus a ceapfar amhlaidh d'íoc leis an iarratasóir.
(2) Más deimhin leis an mbreitheamh a bheidh ag éisteacht iarratais chun na hArd-Chúirte ar chúiteamh fén Acht so alos díobhála pearsanta ná fuarthas bás dá ndeascaibh—
(a) go mbaineann an tAcht so leis na díobhála san, agus
(b) gurb é an t-iarratasóir an duine dá ndearnadh na díobhála san, agus
(c) go bhfuil údaruithe go cuibhe ag an Aire don iarratasóir an t-iarratas do dhéanamh,
deonfaidh an breitheamh don iarratasóir cúiteamh fén Acht so alos na ndíobhála san agus ceapfaidh méid an chúitimh sin do réir an Achta so agus ordóidh go ndéanfaidh an tAire Airgeadais méid an chúitimh a deonfar agus a ceapfar amhlaidh d'íoc leis an iarratasóir.
Comhacht chun cás do ríomh chun na Cúirte Uachtaraighe.
9.—An breitheamh a bheidh ag éisteacht iarratais chun na hArd-Chúirte ar chúiteamh fén Acht so, féadfaidh, má mheasann san do bheith ceart, as a chomhairle féin no ar iarratas an iarratasóra no an Aire Airgeadais, cás do ríomh chun tuairim na Cúirte Uachtaraighe d'fháil ar aon cheist dlí eireoidh le linn an iarratais sin do bheith á éisteacht.
Forálacha generálta maidir le cúiteamh fén Acht so.
10.—(1) Beidh feidhm agus éifeacht ag na forálacha so leanas maidir le gach deonadh cúitimh fén Acht seo dhéanfaidh breitheamh den Ard-Chúirt alos báis, sé sin le rá:—
(a) nuair a bheidh méid an chúitimh á cheapadh ag an mbreitheamh—
(i) féachfaidh d'aon chostais sochraide fé n-a ndeachaidh an t-iarratasóir i dtaobh an duine mhairbh d'adhlacadh, agus d'aon chostais liaghachta no máinliaghachta fé n-a ndeachaidh an t-iarratasóir mar gheall ar na díobhála do rinneadh don duine sin agus ba thrúig bháis dó, agus
(ii) cuirfidh san áireamh na sochair airgeadais a saoilfí do réir réasúin a gheobhadh an t-iarratasóir sa todhachaidhe ón duine marbh dá mba ná héagfadh an duine sin an tráth d'éag, agus
(iii) má deonadh don duine mharbh, roimh a bhás, cúiteamh fén Acht so alos na ndíobhála ba thrúig bháis dó ina dhiaidh sin, cuirfidh san san áireamh agus cuirfidh méid an chúitimh (má b'ann dó) san áireamh freisin;
(b) má bhíonn níos mó ná aon iarratasóir amháin ann maidir leis an aon bhás amháin agus go ndeonfaidh an breitheamh cúiteamh do bheirt no níos mó de sna hiarratasóirí no dhóibh go léir, déonfa sé cúiteamh ar leithligh do gach duine fé leith de sna hiarratasóirí sin, pé aca iarratais ar leithligh no có-iarratas do rinneadar;
(c) má dheonann breitheamh den Ard-Chúirt cúiteamh d'iarratasóir is mion-aoiseach, déanfaidh, fé mar is dóich leis is ceart, a ordú an cúiteamh san d'íoc le tuismitheoir, caomhnóir, no duine éigin eile chun sochair an iarratasóra san no a ordú an cúiteamh san d'íoc isteach sa Chúirt agus do chur chun tairbhe an iarratasóra san sa tslí ordóidh an Ard-Chúirt o am go ham;
(d) ar bhliain is fiche do shlánú do mhion-aoiseach dar deonadh cúiteamh fén Acht so alos báis duine tiocfaidh an méid sin den chúiteamh san a bheidh gan úsáid chun tairbhe dhó chun bheith dá chuid féin amháin aige;
(e) i gcás mion-aoiseach dar deonadh cúiteamh fén Acht so alos báis duine d'fháil bháis sar a mbeidh bliain is fiche slán aige, déanfar an méid sin den chúiteamh san a bheidh gan úsáid chun tairbhe dhó d'aisíoc, tar éis costais réasúnta sochraide an mhion-aoisigh sin do bhaint as, leis an Aire Airgeadais chun tairbhe an Stát-Chiste.
(2) Nuair a beifear ag ceapadh méid an chúitimh fén Acht so alos díobhála pearsanta ná fuarthas bás dá ndeascaibh, déanfaidh an tAire no an breitheamh, do réir mar a bheidh,—
(a) áird do thabhairt ar aon chostais liaghachta no máinliaghachta bhí no is dócha bheidh ar an iarratasóir alos no de dheascaibh na ndíobhála, agus
(b) áird do thabhairt ar an dochar a measfar do réir réasúin a dhéanfaidh na díobhála do chumas tuillimh thodhachaidhe an iarratasóra i gcoitinne agus, go sonnrách (mara gcoiscidh na díobhála an t-iarratasóir ar leanúint de bheith ina bhall den Ghárda Síochána), dá réimchúrsa todhachaidhe sa bhfórsa san, agus
(c) féachaint don phéin agus don phionós do chuir na díobhála ar an iarratasóir agus fós, i gcás ceart, d'aon ghalar no claonadh chun galair do tháinig de sna díobhála.
(3) I ngach cás ina ndeonfaidh an tAire no breitheamh den Ard-Chúirt cúiteamh fén Acht so is cnap-shuim a bheidh sa chúiteamh agus nuair a bheidh a mhéid á cheapadh ag an Aire no ag an mbreitheamh (do réir mar a bheidh)—
(a) cuirfidh san áireamh teideal do bheith (má bhíonn) ag an iarratasóir (fé sna reachta agus na horduithe agus rialacháin reachtúla bhaineann le pinsin do bhaill den Ghárda Síochána agus dá gcleithiúnaithe) chun pinsin no liúntais no aisce as cistí puiblí alos an bháis no na ndíobhála is abhar don iarratas, ach ní fhéachfaidh ar mhéid an phinsin no an liúntais no na haisce sin (más ann dó) mar thomhas no mar chaighdeán a mbeidh méid an chúitimh le ceapadh dá réir, agus
(b) má rinne an t-iarratasóir, roimh dháta an Achta so do rith, iarratas chun na Cúirte Cuarda fé alt 106 den Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, maidir leis an mbás no na díobhála is abhar don iarratas fén Acht so, cuirfidh san áireamh na costais agus na caitheachais fé n-a ndeachaidh an t-iarratasóir, roimh dháta an Achta so do rith, alos no i dtaobh an iarratais sin chun na Cúirte Cuarda agus alos no i dtaobh aon athchomhairc chun na hArd-Chúirte i gcoinnibh an Orduithe (más aon cheann é) do rinne an Chúirt Chuarda ar éisteacht an iarratais sin.
Alt 106 den Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, do leasú.
11.—(1) I ngach áit ina bhfuil an abairt “peace officer” in alt 106 den Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, léireofar í mar abairt ná cialluíonn agus ná foluíonn ball den Ghárda Síochána, agus beidh srian dá réir sin le hoibriú an ailt sin.
(2) Gach iarratas fé alt 106 den Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, maidir le dúnmharbhadh no martrú baill den Ghárda Síochána, atá ar feitheamh sa Chúirt Chuarda ar dháta an Achta so do rith agus fós gach athchomharc i gcoinnibh orduithe ón gCúirt Chuarda ar éisteacht aon iarratais den tsórt san fén alt san 106 atá ar feitheamh ar an dáta san, tuitfidh ar lár ar an Acht so do rith agus ní féadfar dul ar aghaidh leis a thuilleadh.
(3) Gach ordú do rinne an Chúirt Chuarda roimh dháta an Achta so do rith ar éisteacht iarratais fé alt 106 den Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, agus le n-ar horduíodh do bhárdas chontae bhuirge no do chomhairle chontae no bhailecheanntair aon airgead d'íoc le duine ar bith mar gheall ar dhúnmharbhadh no martrú baill den Ghárda Síochána an 1adh lá d'Eanar, 1940, no dá éis sin, tiocfaidh, ar an Acht so do rith, chun a bheith agus beidh gan brí ar bith agus ní féadfar é fheidhmiú ná é fhoirfheidhmiú ar shlí eile maidir le híoc an airgid sin ná maidir le híoc aon chostas no caiteachas a mbeidh orduithe leis don bhárdas no don chomhairle sin iad díoc leis an duine sin.
Gan cúiteamh fén Acht so d'áireamh le linn pinsin, etc., d'uirmheas.
12.—Nuair a bheidh uirmheas á dhéanamh ar mhéid aon phinsin, liúntais, no aisce is iníoctha fé ordú ar n-a dhéanamh fé alt 13 d'Acht Có-nasctha na bhFórsaí Póilíneachta, 1925 (Uimh. 7 de 1925), no fé ordú no achtachán eile ar n-a bhuanú leis an alt san, le ball den Ghárda Síochána mar gheall ar dhíobháil, le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so, do rinneadh dó roimh dháta an Achta so do rith no dá éis sin no is iníoctha le baintrigh no duine clainne no cleithiúnaidhe baill den Ghárda Síochána mar gheall ar bhás an bhaill sin (más bás é le n-a mbaineann an tAcht so) roimh dháta an Achta so do rith no dá éis sin, ní dleathach agus, i gcás aon uirmheasa den tsórt san do rinneadh roimh dháta an Achta so do rith, is tuigthe nár dhleathach riamh an cúiteamh (más ann dó) do deonadh no a deonfar fén Acht so don bhall san mar gheall ar an díobháil sin, no don bhaintrigh, don duine clainne no don chleithiúnaidhe sin mar gheall ar an mbás san (do réir mar a bheidh) do chur san áireamh ná féachaint dó.
Comhacht chun an Achta so do chur i mbaint le fórsaí eile póilíneachta.
13.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, pé uair a mheasfaidh san do bheith ceart, a dhearbhú le hordú, go mbainfidh an tAcht so le haon fhórsa póilíneachta áirithe luadhfar san ordú san, pé aca fórsa póilíneachta ar n-a bhunú roimh dháta an Achta so do rith no dá éis sin an fórsa póilíneachta san agus pé aca buan-fhórsa no fórsa sealadach é.
(2) Pé uair a mheasfaidh san do bheith ceart, féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, aon ordú bheidh déanta aige roimhe sin fén bhfo-alt san roimhe seo den alt so, no fén bhfo-alt so, do cheiliúradh no do leasú.
(3) Pé uair agus faid a bheidh ordú ar n-a dhéanamh fén gcéad fho-alt den alt so i bhfeidhm bainfidh an tAcht so (fé réir aon leasuithe bheidh déanta ar an ordú san fén bhfo-alt deiridh sin roimhe seo den alt so) leis an bhfórsa póilíneachta bheidh luaidhte chuige sin san ordú san chó maith leis an nGárda Síochána agus chuige sin, faid a bheidh an t-ordú san i bhfeidhm agus fé réir mar adubhradh, déanfar an abairt “Gárda Síochána”, i ngach áit ina bhfuil sí san Acht so (lasmuich den alt so), do léiriú mar abairt a fholuíonn an fórsa póilíneachta san a bheidh luaidhte amhlaidh agus beidh éifeacht ag an Acht so dá réir sin.
(4) San alt so ní fholuíonn an abairt “fórsa póilíneachta” fórsa ná tugann a bhaill de ghnáth ach cuid dá n-aimsir ag fónamh sa bhfórsa san, pé aca féadfar no ná féadfar a cheangal ortha a n-aimsir iomlán do thabhairt ag fónamh amhlaidh i gcásanna áirithe.
Cúiteamh agus costais eile d'íoc.
14.—Íocfar , as airgead ar n-a sholáthar ag an Oireachtas, na suimeanna agus na costais seo leanas, sé sin le rá:—
(a) an cúiteamh uile dheonfaidh an tAire ar iarratas a déanfar chuige ag lorg cúitimh fén Acht so;
(b) gach suim is iníoctha (i leith cúitimh no costas) ag an Aire Airgeadais le héinne de bhun orduithe dhéanfaidh. breitheamh den Ard-Chúirt ar iarratas ar chúiteamh fén Acht so;
(c) costais (seachas íoc cúitimh) fé n-a raghaidh an tAire chun an Achta so do riaradh sa mhéid go gceadóidh an tAire Airgeadais é;
(d) costais (seachas suimeanna is iníoctha i leith cúitimh no costas mar adubhradh) fé n-a raghaidh an tAire Airgeadais chun an Achta so do riaradh.
Rialacháin.
15.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, rialacháin do dhéanamh ag ordú éinní no aon ruda dá dtagartar san Acht so mar ní no mar rud atá orduithe no le hordú.
Gearr-theideal.
16.—Féadfar an tAcht Gárda Síochána (Cúiteamh), 1941, do ghairm den Acht so.
Number 19 of 1941.
GARDA SIOCHANA (COMPENSATION) ACT, 1941.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Act Referred to | |
No. 7 of 1925 | |
Number 19 of 1941.
GARDA SIOCHANA (COMPENSATION) ACT, 1941.
Definitions.
1.—In this Act—
the expression “the Minister” means the Minister for Justice;
the word “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this Act.
Deaths and injuries to which this Act applies.
2.—(1) This Act applies—
(a) to the death of a member of the Gárda Síochána who dies after the date of the passing of this Act from injuries maliciously inflicted (whether before or after such passing on him)—
(i) in the performance of his duties as such member while actually on duty, or
(ii) while exercising powers or otherwise acting in his general capacity as a policeman when off duty or on leave or otherwise not actually on duty, or
(iii) while on duty or off duty or on leave or at any other time because of anything previously done (whether before or after the passing of this Act) by him as a member of the Gárda Síochána or merely because of his being a member of the Gárda Síochána, and
(b) to the death of a person who had previously been, but at the time of his death has ceased to be, a member of the Gárda Síochána (whether such cesser took place before or after the passing of this Act) and dies after the date of such passing from injuries maliciously inflicted (whether before or after such passing) on him because of anything done (whether before or after such passing) by him as a member of the Gárda Síochána or merely because of his having been a member of the Gárda Síochána, and
(c) to personal injuries (not causing death) maliciously inflicted after the date of the passing of this Act on a member of the Gárda Síochána—
(i) in the performance of his duties as such member while actually on duty, or
(ii) while exercising powers or otherwise acting in his general capacity as a policeman when off duty or on leave or otherwise not actually on duty, or
(iii) while on duty or off duty or on leave or at any other time because of anything previously done (whether before or after the passing of this Act) by him as a member of the Gárda Síochána or merely because of his being a member of the Gárda Síochána, and
(d) to personal injuries (not causing death) maliciously inflicted after the date of the passing of this Act on a person who had previously been, but at the time when such injuries are inflicted has ceased to be, a member of the Gárda Síochána (whether such cesser took place before or after the passing of this Act) where such injuries are inflicted on such person because of anything done (whether before or after such passing) by him as a member of the Gárda Síochána or merely because of his having been a member of the Gárda Síochána.
(2) This Act also applies—
(a) to a death which occurred on or after the 1st day of January, 1940, and before or on the date of the passing of this Act and which, if it had occurred after the date of such passing, would have been a death to which this Act applies by virtue of the foregoing sub-section of this section, and
(b) to personal injuries (not causing death) which were inflicted on or after the 1st day of January, 1940, and before or on the date of the passing of this Act and which, if they had been inflicted after the date of such passing, would have been injuries to which this Act applies by virtue of the said foregoing sub-section.
Persons to whom compensation under this Act may be awarded.
3.—(1) The only persons to whom compensation under this Act may be awarded in respect of the death of a deceased person are:—
(a) the widow of such deceased person;
(b) the children or step-children of such deceased person;
(c) the parents of such deceased person;
(d) the brothers, half-brothers, sisters and half-sisters of such deceased person;
(e) the grand parents of such deceased person;
(f) adopted children of such deceased person who were at his death under the age of twenty-one years and were supported, maintained, and educated wholly or partially by such deceased person.
(2) Compensation under this Act in respect of personal injuries not causing death may be awarded only to the person on whom those injuries were inflicted.
Right to apply to the Minister for compensation under this Act.
4.—(1) Any person who claims to be entitled to compensation under this Act in respect of the death of a deceased person may apply in accordance with this Act to the Minister for such compensation.
(2) Any person who claims to be entitled to compensation under this Act in respect of personal injuries inflicted on him may apply in accordance with this Act to the Minister for such compensation.
Applications to the Minister for compensation under this Act.
5.—The following provisions shall apply and have effect in respect of applications to the Minister for compensation under this Act, that is to say:—
(a) where the application is in respect of a death occurring or injuries inflicted after the date of the passing of this Act, the application shall be made within three months after the day on which such death occurred or such injuries were inflicted (as the case may be) or within such longer time after that day as the Minister shall (whether before or after the expiration of the said three months) allow in any particular case;
(b) where the application is in respect of a death which occurred or injuries which were inflicted before or on the date of the passing of this Act, the application shall be made within three months after the date of the passing of this Act or within such longer time after that date as the Minister shall (whether before or after the expiration of the said three months) allow in any particular case;
(c) the application shall be made in the prescribed form and manner and shall state all such matters as are required by the said prescribed form to be stated therein;
(d) where the applicant is an infant, the application shall be made on his behalf by his parent, guardian, or next friend, and such parent, guardian, or next friend (as the case may be) shall be deemed for the purposes of the subsequent paragraphs of this section to be the applicant;
(e) the Minister may, if he so thinks proper, require the applicant to furnish such further information in relation to the application as the Minister shall specify;
(f) the Minister may, if he so thinks proper, require the applicant to verify the application by the statutory declaration of the applicant or other person having personal knowledge of the relevant facts.
Powers of the Minister in relation to applications for compensation.
6.—(1) Whenever an application is duly made to the Minister for compensation under this Act, the following provisions shall have effect, that is to say:—
(a) if the application is in respect of the death of a person, the Minister shall authorise the applicant, to apply to the High Court in accordance with this Act for such compensation;
(b) if the application is in respect of injuries not causing death, then—
(i) in case the Minister is of opinion that such injuries are of a minor character and were sustained in the course of the performance of a duty not involving special risk, the Minister shall refuse the application,
(ii) in case the Minister is of opinion that, although such injuries are of a minor character, they were sustained in the course of the performance of a duty involving special risk and that a sum not exceeding one hundred pounds would be adequate compensation therefor, the Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, pay the applicant such sum not exceeding one hundred pounds as he thinks proper,
(iii) in any other case, the Minister shall authorise the applicant to apply to the High Court in accordance with this Act for such compensation.
(2) The Minister shall not award under this section compensation in respect of personal injuries not causing death unless he is satisfied that this Act applies to the said injuries and that the applicant for the said compensation is the person on whom the said injuries were inflicted.
(3) The decision of the Minister under this section on application to him for compensation under this Act shall be final and conclusive.
Applications to the High Court for compensation under this Act.
7.—(1) Any person who has applied to the Minister under this Act for compensation under this Act and has been authorised by the Minister to apply for such compensation to the High Court may apply to the High Court in accordance with such authorisation and this section.
(2) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in respect of every application under this section to the High Court for compensation under this Act, that is to say:—
(a) the application shall be made not later than two months after the date on which the authorisation of the application by the Minister was communicated to the applicant;
(b) the application shall be made by summary summons or in such other summary manner as shall be prescribed by rules of Court and shall be grounded on an affidavit stating the facts relied on in support of the application and made by the applicant or one of the applicants or, where the applicant is an infant, by his parent, guardian, or next friend;
(c) except the said affidavit, all the evidence at the hearing of the application shall be given viva voce, save in so far as the Court otherwise directs;
(d) the person making the said affidavit shall not be precluded, by reason of having made the said affidavit, from giving viva voce evidence at the hearing of the application;
(e) the Minister for Finance shall be named as the defendant;
(f) the application shall be heard and determined by one judge of the High Court whose decision shall be final and unappealable, save as is otherwise provided by this Act;
(g) the President of the High Court shall from time to time make arrangements for securing that all applications under this section shall, so far as practicable, be heard by the same judge;
(h) whether the application is successful or unsuccessful, the costs of the applicant when taxed and ascertained shall (save as the judge hearing the application shall for cause otherwise order) be paid by the Minister for Finance, and that Minister shall (save as aforesaid) bear his own costs and the order of the judge on the application shall provide accordingly.
Powers of the High Court on applications to it.
8.—(1) Where the judge hearing an application to the High Court for compensation under this Act in respect of the death of a deceased person is satisfied—
(a) that this Act applies to the said death, and
(b) that the applicant is a person to whom compensation under this Act may be granted in respect of the said death, and
(c) that the applicant was wholly or partly dependent on the said deceased person, and
(d) that the applicant has suffered loss by the said death, and
(e) that the applicant is duly authorised by the Minister to make the application,
the judge shall award to the applicant compensation under this Act in respect of the said death and shall fix the amount of such compensation in accordance with this Act and shall order that the compensation so awarded and fixed shall be paid to the applicant by the Minister for Finance.
(2) Where the judge hearing an application to the High Court for compensation under this Act in respect of personal injuries not causing death is satisfied—
(a) that this Act applies to the said injuries, and
(b) that the applicant is the person on whom the said injuries were inflicted, and
(c) that the applicant is duly authorised by the Minister to make the application,
the judge shall award to the applicant compensation under this Act in respect of the said injuries and shall fix the amount of such compensation in accordance with this Act and shall order that the compensation so awarded and fixed shall be paid to the applicant by the Minister for Finance.
Power to state a case for the Supreme Court.
9.—The judge hearing an application to the High Court for compensation under this Act may, if he so thinks proper on his own motion or at the request of the applicant or of the Minister for Finance, state a case for the opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law arising during the hearing of such application.
General provisions in relation to compensation under this Act.
10.—(1) The following provisions shall apply and have effect in relation to every award of compensation under this Act by a judge of the High Court in respect of a death, that is to say:—
(a) in fixing the amount of the compensation the judge—
(i) shall have regard to any funeral expenses incurred by the applicant in respect of the burial of the deceased and any medical or surgical expenses similarly incurred in respect of the injuries to the deceased which caused his death, and
(ii) shall take into consideration the financial benefits which might reasonably be expected to have been received in the future by the applicant from the deceased if the deceased had not died at the time at which he did die, and
(iii) shall take into consideration the fact, if it is a fact, that prior to his death the deceased was awarded compensation under this Act in respect of the injuries which subsequently caused his death, and shall also take into account the amount (if any) of such compensation;
(b) where there is more than one applicant in respect of the same death and the judge awards compensation to two or more or all of the applicants, he shall make a separate award of compensation to each of those applicants, whether they made separate applications or a joint application;
(c) where a judge of the High Court awards compensation to an applicant who is an infant, he shall either, as he shall think proper, direct that such compensation be paid to a parent, guardian, or other person for the benefit of such applicant or direct that such compensation be paid into Court and be applied for the benefit of such applicant in such manner as the High Court shall from time to time direct;
(d) when an infant to whom compensation under this Act in respect of a death has been awarded attains the age of twenty-one years so much of such compensation as has not been applied for his benefit shall become his absolute property;
(e) when an infant to whom compensation under this Act in respect of a death has been awarded dies before attaining the age of twenty-one years, so much of such compensation as has not been applied for his benefit shall, after providing for the reasonable funeral expenses of such infant, be repaid to the Minister for Finance for the benefit of the Exchequer.
(2) In fixing the amount of compensation under this Act in respect of personal injuries not causing death, the Minister or the judge, as the case may be,—
(a) shall have regard to any medical or surgical expenses incurred or likely to be incurred by the applicant in respect or in consequence of the injuries, and
(b) shall take into consideration the detrimental effect which the injuries might reasonably be expected to have on the future earning power generally of the applicant and, in particular (if the injuries do not preclude the applicant from continuing to be a member of the Gárda Síochána), on his future career in that force, and
(c) shall have regard to the pain and suffering occasioned by the injuries to the applicant and also, in a proper case, to any disease or tendency to disease caused by the injuries.
(3) In every case in which compensation under this Act is awarded by the Minister or by a judge of the High Court, the compensation shall be a lump sum and the Minister or the judge (as the case may be) in fixing the amount thereof,—
(a) shall take into consideration the fact, if it is a fact, that the applicant is entitled (under the statutes and statutory orders and regulations relating to the pensions of members of the Gárda Síochána and their dependants) to a pension, allowance, or gratuity out of public funds in respect of the death or injuries which is or are the subject of the application, but shall not regard the amount of such pension, allowance, or gratuity (if any) as a measure or standard by reference to which the amount of the compensation is to be fixed, and
(b) shall, where the applicant has, before the passing of this Act, made an application to the Circuit Court under section 106 of the Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, in respect of the death or injuries which is or are the subject of the application under this Act, take into consideration the costs and expenses incurred by the applicant before the passing of this Act in or about such application to the Circuit Court and any appeal to the High Court from the order (if any) of the Circuit Court on such application.
Amendment of section 106 of the Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836.
11.—(1) The expression “peace officer” wherever it occurs in section 106 of the Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, shall be construed as not meaning or including a member of the Gárda Síochána, and the operation of the said section shall be restricted accordingly.
(2) Every application under section 106 of the Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, in respect of the murder or maiming of a member of the Gárda Síochána which is pending in the Circuit Court at the passing of this Act, and also every appeal from an order made by the Circuit Court on any such application under the said section 106 which is pending in the High Court at the said passing, shall, on the passing of this Act, abate and be incapable of being further proceeded with.
(3) Every order made by the Circuit Court before the passing of this Act on an application under section 106 of the Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836, whereby any money was ordered to be paid by the corporation of a county borough or the council of a county or of an urban district to any person in respect of the murder or maiming of a member of the Gárda Síochána on or after the 1st day of January, 1940, shall, on the passing of this Act, become and be wholly void and shall be incapable of being executed or otherwise enforced either in respect of the payment of the said money or in respect of the payment of any costs or expenses thereby ordered to be paid by such corporation or council to such person.
Exclusion of compensation under this Act from assessment of pensions, etc.
12.—When assessing the amount of any pension, allowance, or gratuity under an order made under, or an order or other enactment continued in force by, section 13 of the Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925 (No. 7 of 1925), payable to a member of the Gárda Síochána on account of an injury to which this Act applies inflicted on him either before or after the passing of this Act or payable to the widow or a child or dependant of a member of the Gárda Síochána on account of the death (being a death to which this Act applies) of such member either before or after the passing of this Act, it shall not be lawful and, in the case of any such assessment made before the passing of this Act, shall be deemed never to have been lawful to take into account or have regard to the compensation (if any) awarded or which may be awarded under this Act either (as the case may be) to such member on account of such injury or to such widow, child, or dependant on account of such death.
Power to extend this Act to other police forces.
13.—(1) The Minister may by order, whenever he so thinks proper, declare that this Act shall apply to any particular police force specified in such order, whether such police force was established before or is established after the passing of this Act and whether such police force is a permanent or a temporary force.
(2) The Minister may by order, whenever he so thinks proper, revoke or amend any order previously made by him under the foregoing sub-section of this section or under this sub-section.
(3) Whenever and so long as an order made under the first sub-section of this section is in force, this Act shall (subject to any amendment of such order made under the next preceding sub-section of this section) apply to the police force specified in that behalf in such order as well as to the Gárda Síochána, and for that purpose the expression “Gárda Síochána” wherever it occurs in this Act (except this section) shall, while such order remains in force but subject as aforesaid, be construed as including the said police force so specified and this Act shall have effect accordingly.
(4) In this section the expression “police force” does not include a force the members of which normally devote part only of their time to service in such force, whether they are or are not liable to be required to devote the whole of their time to such service in particular circumstances.
Payment of compensation and other expenses.
14.— The following moneys and expenses shall be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, that is to say:—
(a) all compensation awarded by the Minister on an application to him for compensation under this Act;
(b) every sum payable (whether for compensation or costs) by the Minister for Finance to any person in pursuance of an order made by a judge of the High Court on an application for compensation under this Act;
(c) expenses (other than the payment of compensation) incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance;
(d) expenses (other than sums payable for compensation or costs as aforesaid) incurred by the Minister for Finance in the administration of this Act.
Regulations.
15.—The Minister may by order make regulations prescribing any matter or thing which is in this Act referred to as prescribed or to be prescribed.
Short title.
16.—This Act may be cited as the Gárda Síochána (Compensation) Act, 1941.