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Uimhir 2 de 1994
AN tACHT UM CHEARTAS COIRIÚIL (ORD POIBLÍ), 1994
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
RIAR NA nALT
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Alt | |
1. | |
2. |
Cionta a Bhaineann le hOrd Poiblí
Slua-Rialú ag Imeachtaí Poiblí.
20. | |
21. | |
22. |
Ilghnéitheach agus Aisghairm.
23. | |
24. | |
25. | Cumhachtaí láithreacha an Gharda Síochána do leanúint i bhfeidhm. |
26. |
Na hAchtacháin a Aisghairtear
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871 | 34 & 35 Vict. c. 112 |
Acht na bPríosúnach Cogaidh agus na nEachtrannach Naimhdeach, 1956 | |
Achtanna na bPríosún, 1826 go 1980 | |
Vagrancy Act, 1824 | 5 Geo. 4, c. 83 |
Uimhir 2 de 1994
AN tACHT UM CHEARTAS COIRIÚIL (ORD POIBLÍ), 1994
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
ACHT DO CHEALÚ CIONTA ÁIRITHE DEN DLÍ COITEANN A BHAINEANN LE hORD POIBLÍ AGUS DO CHUR CIONTA REACHTÚLA ÁIRITHE A BHAINEANN LE hORD POIBLÍ INA nIONAD, DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH CUMHACHTAÍ BREISE SLUA-RIALAITHE A BHEITH AG COMHALTAÍ DEN GHARDA SÍOCHÁNA I gCOMHARSANACHT IMEACHTAÍ ÁIRITHE AGUS I dTAOBH NA gCOMHALTAÍ SIN DO RIALÚ ROCHTANA AR AN gCÉANNA, AGUS DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH CIONTA A BHAINEANN LEIS SIN, DO DHÉANAMH SOCRÚ I dTAOBH NITHE EILE A BHAINEANN LE hORD POIBLÍ AGUS LE FÍNEÁLACHA AGUS TÉARMAÍ PRÍOSÚNACHTA MAIDIR LE CIONTA ÁIRITHE AGUS CHUN NA gCRÍOCH SIN AGUS CHUN CRÍOCH EILE DO LEASÚ AN DLÍ AGUS AN RIARACHÁIN CHOIRIÚIL. [3 Márta, 1994]
ACHTAÍTEAR AG AN OIREACHTAS MAR A LEANAS:
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal, comhlua agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Cheartas Coiriúil (Ord Poiblí), 1994, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar na hAchtanna Sruthaireachta, 1824 go 1994, a ghairm de na hAchtanna Sruthaireachta, 1824 agus 1988, agus d'alt 12, le chéile.
(3) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh mí amháin tar éis é a rith.
Léiriú (ginearálta).
2.—(1) Aon tagairt san Acht seo do Chuid nó d'alt is tagairt í do Chuid nó d'alt den Acht seo mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'Acht éigin eile atá beartaithe.
(2) Aon tagairt san Acht seo d'fho-alt nó do mhír is tagairt í don fho-alt nó don mhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe.
CUID II
Cionta a Bhaineann le hOrd Poiblí
Léiriú (Cuid II).
3.—Sa Chuid seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt— folaíonn “teaghais” foirgneamh, feithicil nó soitheach a úsáidtear de ghnáth chun cónaithe;
ciallaíonn “áit phríobháideach” áit nach áit phoiblí;
folaíonn “áit phoiblí”—
(a) aon mhórbhealach,
(b) aon limistéar allamuigh a bhfuil, an tráth ábhartha, rochtain nó cead rochtana ag daoine den phobal air, ó cheart nó mar fhoghlaí nó ar shlí eile, agus a úsáidtear chun críocha áineasa phoiblí,
(c) aon reilig nó cill,
(d) aon áitreabh nó áit eile a bhfuil, an tráth ábhartha, rochtain nó cead rochtana ag daoine den phobal air nó uirthi, ó cheart nó le cead sainráite nó intuigthe, nó ar íocaíocht a dhéanamh nó ar shlí eile, agus
(e) aon traein, soitheach nó feithicil a úsáidtear chun daoine a iompar ar luaíocht.
Meisce in áit phoiblí.
4.—(1) Is cion é ag aon duine a bheith i láthair in aon áit phoiblí agus é chomh mór sin ar meisce gur réasúnach ábhar imní a bheith ann go gcuirfeadh sé é féin nó aon duine eile ina chomharsanacht i gcontúirt.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £100 a chur air.
(3) Más rud é go mbeidh drochamhras ar chomhalta den Gharda Síochána, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis, go bhfuil cion faoin alt seo nó faoi alt 5 nó 6 á dhéanamh, féadfaidh an comhalta lena mbaineann, gan bharántas, aon bhuidéal nó coimeádán, mar aon lena bhfuil ann—
(a) atá ina sheilbh, in áit seachas áit a úsáidtear mar theaghais, ag duine a bhfuil drochamhras ar an gcomhalta sin maidir leis go ndearna sé an cion, agus
(b) a bhfuil drochamhras ar an gcomhalta sin, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis, go bhfuil substaint mheisciúil ann,
a urghabháil, a fháil nó a thabhairt chun siúil:
Ar choinníoll nach bhféadfar, le linn an fo-alt seo a bheith á chur chun feidhme maidir le halt 5 nó 6, aon bhuidéal nó coimeádán den sórt sin, mar aon lena bhfuil ann, a urghabháil, a fháil nó a thabhairt chun siúil amhlaidh ach amháin i gcás ina mbeidh drochamhras ar an gcomhalta den Gharda Síochána, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis, go bhfuil an buidéal nó an coimeádán, nó a bhfuil ann, iomchuí maidir leis an gcion faoi alt 5 nó 6 a bhfuil drochamhras ar an gcomhalta go bhfuil sé á dhéanamh.
(4) San alt seo—
ní fholaíonn “buidéal nó coimeádán” buidéal nó coimeádán le haghaidh substainte atá i seilbh an duine lena mbaineann chun críche seachas chun an duine sin nó aon duine eile a chur ar meisce;
ciallaíonn “ar meisce” faoi bhrí mheisciúil aon dí alcólaí, druga, tuaslagóra nó substainte eile nó teaglama de shubstaintí agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin.
Iompar mí-ordúil in áit phoiblí.
5.—(1) Is cion é ag aon duine in áit phoiblí gabháil d'iompar colúil—
(a) idir a 12 a chlog meán oíche agus a 7 a chlog an mhaidin dár gcionn, nó
(b) aon tráth eile, tar éis do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána a iarraidh air scor den iompar sin.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air.
(3) San alt seo ciallaíonn “iompar colúil” aon iompraíocht mhíréasúnach ar dóigh di, ag féachaint do na himthosca go léir, col mór a chur ar aon duine, nó crá mór a thabhairt d'aon duine, ar feasach dó, nó a bhféadfaí le réasún a bheith ag súil leis gur feasach dó, an iompraíocht sin.
Iompraíocht bhagrach, mhaslach nó tharcaisneach in áit phoiblí.
6.—(1) Is cion é ag aon duine in áit phoiblí aon fhocail bhagracha, mhaslacha nó tharcaisneacha a úsáid, nó gabháil d'aon iompraíocht bhagrach, mhaslach nó tharcaisneach, le hintinn briseadh síochána a bhriogadh nó le meargántacht i dtaobh an bhféadfadh briseadh síochána a bheith ann dá thoradh.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 3 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Ábhar atá bagrach, maslach, tarcaisneach nó graosta a dháileadh nó a chur ar taispeáint in áit phoiblí.
7.—(1) Is cion é ag aon duine in áit phoiblí aon scríbhinn, sín nó léiriú infheicthe atá bagrach, maslach, tarcaisneach nó graosta a dháileadh nó a chur ar taispeáint le hintinn briseadh síochána a bhriogadh nó le meargántacht i dtaobh an bhféadfadh briseadh síochána a bheith ann dá thoradh.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 3 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Mainneachtain ordachán ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána a chomhlíonadh.
8.—(1) Más rud é go bhfaighidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána duine in áit phoiblí agus go mbeidh drochamhras ar an gcomhalta sin, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis, maidir leis an duine sin—
(a) go bhfuil sé nó go raibh sé ag gníomhú ar mhodh atá contrártha d'fhorálacha alt 4, 5, 6, 7 nó 9, nó
(b) go bhfuil sé, gan údarás dleathach nó leithscéal réasúnach, ag gníomhú ar mhodh is síománaíocht in áit phoiblí in imthosca, a bhféadfaidh comhluadar daoine eile a bheith san áireamh iontu, inar réasúnach ábhar imní a bheith ann maidir le sábháilteacht daoine nó sábháilteacht maoine nó maidir le coimeád na síochána poiblí,
féadfaidh an comhalta a ordú don duine a bhfuil drochamhras ann maidir leis amhlaidh ceachtar de na nithe seo a leanas, nó iad araon, a dhéanamh, is é sin le rá:
(i) scor de bheith ag gníomhú ar mhodh den sórt sin, agus
(ii) imeacht láithreach ó chomharsanacht na háite lena mbaineann ar mhodh sítheach nó ordúil.
(2) Is cion é ag aon duine, gan údarás dleathach nó leithscéal réasúnach, mainneachtain ordachán arna thabhairt ag comhalta den Gharda Síochána faoin alt seo a chomhlíonadh.
(3) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 6 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Bac toiliúil.
9.—Aon duine a dhéanfaidh go toiliúil, gan údarás dleathach nó leithscéal réasúnach, saorbhealach aon duine nó aon fheithicle in aon áit phoiblí a chosc, nó cur isteach air, dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £200 a chur air.
Méadú ar phionós mar gheall ar mhionionsaí, etc.
10.—Leasaítear leis seo an tAcht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951, tríd an méid seo a leanas a chur in ionad fho-alt (2) d'alt 11:
“(2) Aon duine a chiontófar i mionionsaí nó i slacairt, dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó, de rogha na Cúirte, príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag, nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile, a chur air.”.
Dul isteach i bhfoirgneamh, etc., le hintinn cion a dhéanamh.
11.—(1) Is cion é ag duine—
(a) dul isteach in aon fhoirgneamh nó i gcúirtealáiste aon fhoirgnimh nó in aon chuid d'fhoirgneamh nó de chúirtealáiste den sórt sin mar fhoghlaí, nó
(b) a bheith laistigh de chomharsanacht aon fhoirgnimh nó cúirtealáiste den sórt sin, nó aon chuid d'fhoirgneamh nó de chúirtealáiste den sórt sin, chun foghail a dhéanamh ar an gcéanna,
in imthosca is bun leis an tátal réasúnach gur le hintinn cion a dhéanamh nó le hintinn cur isteach go neamhdhleathach ar aon mhaoin atá ann a chuathas isteach ann nó a bhíothas ann.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 6 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Leasú ar an Vagrancy Act, 1824.
12.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 4 (arna chur chun feidhme maidir le hÉirinn leis an Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871) den Vagrancy Act, 1824, trí “every person being found in or upon any dwelling house, warehouse, coach-house, stable, or outhouse, or in any enclosed yard, garden or area, for any unlawful purpose;” a scriosadh.
Foghail ar fhoirgneamh, etc.
13.—(1) Is cion é ag duine, gan leithscéal réasúnach, foghail a dhéanamh ar aon fhoirgneamh nó ar chúirtealáiste aon fhoirgnimh ar mhodh a chuireann eagla, nó ar dóigh dó eagla a chur, ar dhuine eile.
(2) (a) Más rud é go bhfaighidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána duine in áit lena mbaineann fo-alt (1) agus go mbeidh drochamhras ar an gcomhalta sin, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis, go bhfuil nó go raibh an duine sin ag gníomhú ar mhodh atá contrártha d'fhorálacha an fho-ailt sin, ansin féadfaidh an comhalta a ordú don duine a bhfuil drochamhras ann maidir leis amhlaidh ceachtar de na nithe seo a leanas, nó iad araon, a dhéanamh, is é sin le rá:
(i) scor de bheith ag gníomhú ar mhodh den sórt sin, agus
(ii) imeacht láithreach ó chomharsanacht na háite lena mbaineann ar mhodh sítheach nó ordúil.
(b) Is cion é ag aon duine, gan údarás dleathach nó leithscéal réasúnach, mainneachtain ordachán arna thabhairt ag comhalta den Gharda Síochána faoin alt seo a chomhlíonadh.
(3) (a) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (1) dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(b) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (2) dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 6 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Círéib.
14.—(1) Más rud é—
(a) go ndéanfaidh 12 dhuine nó níos mó, atá i láthair le chéile in aon áit (cibé acu is áit phoiblí nó áit phríobháideach nó iad araon an áit sin), foréigean neamhdhleathach a úsáid nó a bhagairt le haghaidh comhchuspóra, agus
(b) go mbeidh iompar na ndaoine sin, á ghlacadh ina iomláine, de chineál a bheadh ina chúis le heagla a chur ar dhuine réasúnta diongbháilte, a bheadh i láthair san áit sin, maidir lena shábháilteacht féin nó le sábháilteacht duine eile,
ansin, beidh gach duine de na daoine a úsáidfidh foréigean neamhdhleathach le haghaidh an chomhchuspóra ciontach sa chion ar círéib é.
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo—
(a) ní bhainfidh sé le hábhar cibé acu a dhéanfaidh nó nach ndéanfaidh an 12 dhuine nó níos mó, go comhuaineach, foréigean neamhdhleathach a úsáid nó a bhagairt in aon áit;
(b) is intuigthe an comhchuspóir ón iompar;
(c) ní gá aon duine réasúnta diongbháilte a bheith i láthair iarbhír, nó gur dóigh do dhuine den sórt sin a bheith i láthair, san áit sin.
(3) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion ar círéib é dlífear, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 10 mbliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(4) Cealaítear leis seo an cion faoin dlí coiteann ar círéib é.
Mí-ord foréigneach.
15.—(1) Más rud é—
(a) go ndéanfaidh triúr nó níos mó, atá i láthair le chéile in aon áit (cibé acu is áit phoiblí nó áit phríobháideach nó iad araon an áit sin), foréigean neamhdhleathach a úsáid nó a bhagairt, agus
(b) go mbeidh iompar na ndaoine sin, á ghlacadh ina iomláine, de chineál a bheadh ina chúis le heagla a chur ar dhuine réasúnta diongbháilte, a bheadh i láthair san áit sin, maidir lena shábháilteacht féin nó le sábháilteacht duine eile,
ansin, beidh gach duine de na daoine a úsáidfidh nó a bhagróidh foréigean neamhdhleathach ciontach sa chion ar mí-ord foréigneach é.
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo—
(a) ní bhainfidh sé le hábhar cibé acu a dhéanfaidh nó nach ndéanfaidh an triúr nó níos mó, go comhuaineach, foréigean neamhdhleathach a úsáid nó a bhagairt;
(b) ní gá aon duine réasúnta diongbháilte a bheith i láthair iarbhír, nó gur dóigh do dhuine den sórt sin a bheith i láthair, san áit sin.
(3) Ní chiontófar duine sa chion ar mí-ord foréigneach é mura mbeartaíonn an duine foréigean a úsáid nó a bhagairt nó mura bhfuil a fhios aige go bhféadfadh a chuid iompair a bheith foréigneach nó foréigean a bhagairt.
(4) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion ar mí-ord foréigneach é dlífear, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 10 mbliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(5) Déanfar aon tagairt, cibé slí a bheidh sí sainráite, in aon achtachán a ritheadh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo—
(a) don chion faoin dlí coiteann ar círéib é, nó
(b) don chion faoin dlí coiteann ar círéib é agus do racán,
a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don chion ar mí-ord foréigneach é.
(6) Cealaítear leis seo an cion faoin dlí coiteann ar rúta é agus an cion faoin dlí coiteann ar tionól neamhdhleathach é.
Gráscar.
16.—(1) Más rud é—
(a) go ndéanfaidh beirt nó níos mó in aon áit (cibé acu is áit phoiblí nó áit phríobháideach nó iad araon an áit sin) foréigean a úsáid nó a bhagairt ar a chéile, agus
(b) gur foréigean neamhdhleathach an foréigean a úsáidfidh nó a bhagróidh duine de na daoine sin amhlaidh, agus
(c) go mbeidh iompar na ndaoine sin, á ghlacadh ina iomláine, de chineál a bheadh ina chúis le heagla a chur ar dhuine réasúnta diongbháilte, a bheadh i láthair san áit sin, maidir lena shábháilteacht féin nó le sábháilteacht duine eile,
ansin, beidh gach duine den sórt sin a úsáidfidh nó a bhagróidh foréigean neamhdhleathach ciontach sa chion ar gráscar é.
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo—
(a) ní fhéadfar bagairt a dhéanamh le focail agus leo sin amháin;
(b) ní gá aon duine réasúnta diongbháilte a bheith i láthair iarbhír, nó gur dóigh do dhuine den sórt sin a bheith i láthair, san áit inar tharla an úsáid nó an bhagairt foréigin.
(3) Ní chiontófar duine sa chion ar gráscar é mura mbeartaíonn an duine foréigean a úsáid nó a bhagairt nó mura bhfuil a fhios aige go bhféadfadh a chuid iompair a bheith foréigneach nó foréigean a bhagairt.
(4) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion ar gráscar é, dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air,
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(5) Cealaítear leis seo an cion faoin dlí coiteann ar gráscar é.
Dúmhál, sracadh agus airgead a éileamh go bagrach.
17.—(1) Is cion é ag aon duine aon éileamh gan údar a dhéanamh go bagrach d'fhonn gnóchan a fháil dó féin nó do dhuine eile nó le hintinn é a bheith ina chúis le caillteanas do dhuine eile.
(2) Chun críocha an ailt seo—
(a) ní bheidh údar le héileamh bagrach mura mbeidh an duine a dhéanfaidh é á dhéanamh amhlaidh á chreidiúint dó—
(i) go bhfuil forais réasúnacha aige chun an t-éileamh a dhéanamh, agus
(ii) gur modh cuí chun an t-éileamh a athneartú é na bagairtí a dhéanamh;
(b) ní bheidh cineál an ghnímh nó an neamhghnímh a éileofar bainteach le hábhar agus ní bhainfidh sé le hábhar ach oiread cibé acu a bhaineann nó nach mbaineann na bagairtí le gníomh a bheidh le déanamh ag an duine a dhéanfaidh an t-éileamh.
(3) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo, dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air,
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 14 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Ionsaí le hintinn díobháil choirp nó cion indíotáilte a dhéanamh.
18.—(1) Aon duine a ionsóidh aon duine le hintinn díobháil choirp nó cion indíotáilte a dhéanamh, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo, dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air,
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Ionsaí nó bac ar oifigeach síochána.
19.—(1) Aon duine—
(a) a dhéanfaidh oifigeach síochána ag gníomhú dó i gcomhlíonadh dhualgas an oifigigh síochána a ionsaí, agus a fhios aige gur oifigeach síochána é, nó le meargántacht i dtaobh cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil sé ina oifigeach síochána, atá ag gníomhú i gcomhlíonadh a dhualgais, nó
(b) a ionsóidh aon duine eile atá ag gníomhú i gcabhair ar oifigeach síochána, nó
(c) a ionsóidh aon duine eile le hintinn a ghabháil dhleathach nó a choinneáil dhleathach féin, nó gabháil dhleathach nó coinneáil dhleathach aon duine eile, mar gheall ar aon chion, a chomhrac nó a chosc,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (1), dlífear—
(a) tar éis dó a roghnú go ndéanfaí an cion a chur de láimh go hachomair, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 12 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air,
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 5 bliana, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(3) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh oifigeach síochána ag gníomhú dó i gcomhlíonadh a dhualgais nó duine atá ag cabhrú le hoifigeach síochána i gcomhlíonadh a dhualgais a chomhrac nó a bhacadh go toiliúil, agus a fhios aige gur oifigeach síochána é, nó le meargántacht i dtaobh cibé acu atá nó nach bhfuil sé ina oifigeach síochána, atá ag gníomhú i gcomhlíonadh a dhualgais, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(4) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (3) dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 6 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(5) Maidir le forálacha an ailt seo, is forálacha iad i dteannta, agus ní forálacha iad in ionad, aon fhorála in aon achtachán eile a bhaineann le hionsaí nó bac ar oifigeach síochána.
(6) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “oifigeach síochána” comhalta den Gharda Síochána, oifigeach príosúin nó comhalta d'Óglaigh na hÉireann;
ciallaíonn “príosún” aon áit a bhféadfar rialacha nó rialacháin a dhéanamh ina leith faoi Achtanna na bPríosún, 1826 go 1980, alt 7 den Acht um Chiontaí in Aghaidh an Stáit (Leasú), 1940, alt 233 den Acht Cosanta, 1954, alt 2 d'Acht na bPríosúnach Cogaidh agus na nEachtrannach Naimhdeach, 1956, nó alt 13 den Acht um Dhlínse Choiriúil, 1960;
folaíonn “oifigeach príosúin” aon chomhalta d'fhoireann príosúin agus aon duine a bhfuil duine atá á choinneáil i bpríosún faoina choimeád, nó a bhfuil dualgais air i ndáil le coimeád duine den sórt sin.
CUID III
Slua-Rialú ag Imeachtaí Poiblí
Léiriú (Cuid III).
20.—Sa Chuid seo—
ní fholaíonn “coimeádán” coimeádán le haghaidh aon táirge leigheasaigh;
folaíonn “coimeádán indiúscartha”—
(a) aon bhuidéal, aon channa nó aon choimeádán iniompartha eile nó aon chuid den chéanna (lena n-áirítear aon choimeádán iniompartha atá brúite nó briste nó aon chuid den chéanna) chun aon deoch a choinneáil agus ar de chineál é a ndéantar de ghnáth, nuair a bhíonn sé folamh, é a chaitheamh i leataobh nó a thabhairt ar ais don soláthraí, nó a fhágáil lena aisghabháil ag an soláthraí, agus
(b) aon chliathbhosca nó aon phacáistiú atá deartha chun níos mó ná buidéal amháin, canna amháin nó coimeádán iniompartha amháin den sórt sin a choinneáil;
tá le “imeacht” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 21 (1);
folaíonn “deoch mheisciúil” aon choimeádán ina bhfuil deoch mheisciúil, cibé acu is coimeádán indiúscartha é nó nach ea.
Rochtain ar imeachtaí áirithe a rialú, etc.
21.—(1) Más dealraitheach do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána nach ísle céim ná ceannfort gur gá, ar mhaithe le sábháilteacht nó chun ord a choimeád, rochtain daoine ar áit ina bhfuil imeacht ar siúl nó ar tí a bheith ar siúl a shrianadh, ar imeacht é a tharraingeoidh, nó is dócha a tharraingeoidh, mórthionól daoine (dá ngairtear an “imeacht” sa Chuid seo), féadfaidh sé a údarú d'aon chomhalta den Gharda Síochána bacainn nó sraith bacainní a thógáil nó a chur á tógáil ar aon bhóthar, sráid, lána, caolsráid nó modh eile rochtana ar an áit sin i suíomh nach faide ná aon mhíle amháin ón áit sin chun rochtain daoine nó feithiclí ar an áit sin a rialáil.
(2) Más rud é go mbeidh bacainn tógtha de réir fho-alt (1), féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána faoi éide, le hordachán béil nó láimhe, nó trí aon fhógra nó sín a thaispeáint, nó trí aon teaglaim den chéanna—
(a) daoine a chur ar mhalairt slí, go ginearálta nó go sonrach agus cibé acu atá siad i bhfeithiclí nó ar fheithiclí nó ag taisteal de chois, chuig modh eile rochtana ar an imeacht, lena n-áirítear modh rochtana ar an imeacht sin de chois amháin, nó
(b) más rud é gur gá ticéad a bheith ina sheilbh ag duine chun dul isteach san imeacht, a thoirmeasc ar dhuine, cibé acu atá sé i bhfeithicil nó ar fheithicil nó ag taisteal de chois, an bhacainn i dtreo an imeachta a thrasnú nó gabháil thairsti, i gcás nach mbeidh aon ticéad den sórt sin ag an duine, nó
(c) a chur in iúl gurb amhlaidh, má théann duine thar an mbacainn agus aon deoch mheisciúil, aon choimeádán indiúscartha deochanna nó aon earra colúil ina sheilbh aige, go ndlífear an deoch sin, an coimeádán sin nó an t-earra sin a choigistiú.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána a thoirmeasc ar dhuine bacainn a bheidh tógtha faoin alt seo a thrasnú nó gabháil thairsti ach amháin chun an duine a chur ar mhalairt slí chuig modh eile rochtana ar an imeacht, más dealraitheach don chomhalta nach bhfuil an duine ag féachaint leis sin a dhéanamh ach amháin—
(a) chun dul chuig a theaghais nó chuig a áit ghnó nó oibre i gcomharsanacht an imeachta, nó
(b) chun dul, chun aon chríche dleathaí eile, chuig aon áit i gcomharsanacht an imeachta seachas an áit ina bhfuil an t-imeacht ar siúl nó ar tí a bheith ar siúl.
(4) Aon duine—
(a) a mhainneoidh déanamh de réir ordacháin arna thabhairt ag comhalta den Gharda Síochána faoi fho-alt (2), chun críocha mhír (a) nó (b) den fho-alt sin, nó
(b) a mhainneoidh téarmaí fógra nó síne arna thaispeáint nó arna taispeáint faoi fho-alt (2), chun críocha mhír (a) nó (b) den fho-alt sin, a chomhlíonadh,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(5) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air.
Deoch mheisciúil a thabhairt suas agus a urghabháil, etc.
22.—(1) Más rud é, i ndáil le himeacht—
(a) go mbeidh bacainn tógtha faoi alt 21 agus gur dealraitheach do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána go bhfuil duine atá ag taisteal de chois nó i bhfeithicil ag féachaint leis an mbacainn a thrasnú nó le gabháil thairsti, nó tar éis an bhacainn a thrasnú nó gabháil thairsti, chun dul chuig an áit ina bhfuil an t-imeacht ar siúl nó ar tí a bheith ar siúl, nó
(b) gur dealraitheach do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána go bhfuil duine ar tí nó tar éis dul isteach san áit ina bhfuil an t-imeacht ar siúl nó ar tí a bheith ar siúl,
agus go bhfuil, nó go mbeidh drochamhras ar an gcomhalta den Gharda Síochána, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis, go bhfuil—
(i) aon deoch mheisciúil, nó
(ii) aon choimeádán indiúscartha, nó
(iii) aon earra eile a d'fhéadfaí a úsáid, ag féachaint d'imthosca nó do chineál an imeachta, chun díobháil a dhéanamh,
i seilbh an duine, féadfaidh an comhalta aon cheann amháin nó níos mó de na cumhachtaí seo a leanas a fheidhmiú—
(I) an duine sin nó aon fheithicil ina bhfuil nó ar a bhfuil sé a chuardach nó a chur á chuardach nó á cuardach, d'fhonn a fháil amach an bhfuil aon deoch mheisciúil, coimeádán nó earra eile den sórt sin leis,
(II) diúltú ligean don duine sin dul ar aghaidh chuig an imeacht nó dul ar aghaidh níos faide, de réir mar a bheidh, mura dtabharfaidh an duine sin suas go buan do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána, de réir mar a ordóidh an comhalta, an deoch sin, an coimeádán sin nó an t-earra eile sin.
(2) Más rud é go ndiúltóidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána ligean do dhuine dul ar aghaidh chuig an imeacht nó dul ar aghaidh níos faide de bhua fho-alt (1) (II) agus nach dtabharfaidh an duine suas an deoch alcólach, an coimeádán indiúscartha nó an t-earra eile lena mbaineann, féadfaidh an comhalta a cheangal ar an duine imeacht ón gcomharsanacht ar mhodh ordúil agus síochánta de réir mar a ordóidh an comhalta.
(3) Aon duine a mhainneoidh, gan údarás dleathach nó leithscéal réasúnach, ceanglas faoi fho-alt (2) a chomhlíonadh, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(4) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoin alt seo dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air.
CUID IV
Ilghnéitheach agus Aisghairm
Fógairt drúthlann agus striapachais a thoirmeasc.
23.—(1) Aon duine a dhéanfaidh fógrán a fhoilsiú nó a chur á fhoilsiú, nó a dháileadh nó a chur á dháileadh, ar fógrán é ina bhfógraítear drúthlann nó seirbhísí striapaí sa Stát nó ina bhfógraítear aon áitreabh nó seirbhís sa Stát i dtéarmaí, in imthosca nó ar mhodh is bun leis an tátal réasúnach gur drúthlann an t-áitreabh nó gur seirbhís striapachais an tseirbhís, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(2) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (1), dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 a chur air,
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £10,000 a chur air.
(3) In aon imeachtaí mar gheall ar chion faoi fho-alt (1) is cosaint é don chúisí a shuíomh gur duine é arb é a ghnó fógráin a fhoilsiú nó a dháileadh, nó socrú a dhéanamh chun fógráin a fhoilsiú nó a dháileadh, agus go bhfuair sé an fógrán áirithe lena fhoilsiú nó lena dháileadh i ngnáthchúrsa gnó agus nárbh eol dó agus nach raibh aon chúis drochamhrais aige gur bhain an fógrán le drúthlann nó le seirbhísí striapaí.
(4) I gcás cion faoi fho-alt (1) a bheith déanta ag comhlacht corpraithe nó ag duine a airbheartaíonn a bheith ag gníomhú thar ceann comhlachta chorpraithe nó comhlachta neamhchorpraithe daoine agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh é le toiliú nó le ceadú, nó gurbh inchurtha é i leith aon fhaillí ar thaobh, aon duine ba stiúrthóir nó ba chomhalta de choiste bainistíochta nó d'údarás rialaithe eile an chomhlachta, nó arbh é bainisteoir nó rúnaí an chomhlachta é, nó arbh oifigeach eile don chomhlacht é, nó a d'airbheartaigh a bheith ag gníomhú in aon cháil den sórt sin, nuair a rinneadh an cion, beidh an duine sin, chomh maith leis an gcomhlacht, ciontach i gcion agus dlífear imeachtaí a shaothrú ina choinne agus é a phionósú amhail is dá mbeadh an duine sin ciontach sa chion céadluaite.
(5) San alt seo—
folaíonn “fógrán” gach cineál fógraíochta nó cur chun cinn, cibé acu i bhfoilseachán nó trí fhógraí nó póstaeir a chur ar taispeáint nó trí mheán ciorclán, bileog, paimfléad nó cártaí nó doiciméad eile nó ar mhodh raidió, teilifíse, monatóra ríomhaire, teileafóin, tarchuir mhacasamhlaigh, fótagrafaíochta nó cineamatagrafaíochta, nó trí aon mheán eile cumarsáide dá shamhail;
ciallaíonn “dáileadh” dáileadh ar an bpobal nó ar chuid den phobal agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “foilsiú” foilsiú don phobal nó do chuid den phobal agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin.
Gabháil gan bharántas.
24.—(1) Más rud é go bhfaighidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána aon duine agus cion á dhéanamh aige faoi fhoráil iomchuí, féadfaidh an comhalta an duine sin a ghabháil gan bharántas.
(2) I gcás gurb é tuairim comhalta den Gharda Síochána go ndearnadh cion faoi fhoráil iomchuí, féadfaidh an comhalta—
(a) ainm agus seoladh aon duine a éileamh, ar duine é a bhfuil drochamhras ar an gcomhalta, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis, go ndearna sé cion den sórt sin, nó ar duine é a bhfaighidh an comhalta é agus é ag déanamh cion den sórt sin, agus
(b) aon duine den sórt sin a mhainneoidh nó a dhiúltóidh a ainm agus a sheoladh a thabhairt nuair a éileofar sin, nó a thabharfaidh ainm nó seoladh a mbeidh forais réasúnacha ag an gcomhalta chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil sé bréagach nó míthreorach, a ghabháil gan bharántas.
(3) Aon duine a mhainneoidh nó a dhiúltóidh a ainm agus a sheoladh a thabhairt nuair a éileofar sin de bhua fho-alt (2), nó a thabharfaidh ainm nó seoladh, nuair a éileofar sin amhlaidh, atá bréagach nó míthreorach, beidh sé ciontach i gcion.
(4) Aon duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi fho-alt (3) dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó téarma príosúnachta nach faide ná 6 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(5) San alt seo, ciallaíonn “foráil iomchuí” alt 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 nó 19.
Cumhachtaí láithreacha an Gharda Síochána do leanúint i bhfeidhm.
25.—Aon chumhacht a thugtar do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána leis an Acht seo, beidh sí gan dochar d'aon chumhacht eile is infheidhmithe ag comhalta den sórt sin.
Aisghairm.
26.—Déantar leis seo na hAchtanna a shonraítear sa Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo a aisghairm a mhéid a shonraítear sa tríú colún den Sceideal sin.
AN SCEIDEAL
Na hAchtacháin a Aisghairtear
Seisiún agus Caibidil | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
6 & 7 Will. 4, c. 29 | Dublin Police Act, 1836 | Alt 9. |
5 & 6 Vict., c. 24 | Dublin Police Act, 1842 | An mhír ar a bhfuil an uimhir 13 d'alt 14. |
13 & 14 Vict., c. 92 | Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1851 | An mhír ar a bhfuil an uimhir 3 d'alt 13. |
24 & 25 Vict., c. 100 | Offences against the Person Act, 1861 | Alt 38. |
34 & 35 Vict., c. 112 | Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871 | Alt 12. |
6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 50 | Larceny Act, 1916 | Ailt 29 go 31. |
Number 2 of 1994
CRIMINAL JUSTICE (PUBLIC ORDER) ACT, 1994
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Offences Relating to Public Order
Threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in public place.. | |
Failure to comply with direction of member of Garda Síochána.. | |
Assault with intent to cause bodily harm or commit indictable offence. | |
Crowd Control at Public Events
Miscellaneous and Repeals
Enactments Repealed
Number 2 of 1994
CRIMINAL JUSTICE (PUBLIC ORDER) ACT, 1994
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title, collective citation and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
(2) The Vagrancy Acts, 1824 and 1988, and section 12 may be cited together as the Vagrancy Acts, 1824 to 1994.
(3) This Act shall come into operation one month after its passing.
Interpretation (general).
2.—(1) A reference in this Act to a Part or to a section is a reference to a Part or section of this Act unless it is indicated that a reference to some other Act is intended.
(2) A reference in this Act to a subsection or to a paragraph is to the subsection or paragraph of the provision in which the reference occurs unless it is indicated that a reference to some other provision is intended.
PART II
Offences Relating to Public Order
Interpretation (Part II).
3.—In this Part, except where the context otherwise requires—
“dwelling” includes a building, vehicle or vessel ordinarily used for habitation;
“private place” means a place that is not a public place;
“public place” includes—
(a) any highway,
(b) any outdoor area to which at the material time members of the public have or are permitted to have access, whether as of right or as a trespasser or otherwise, and which is used for public recreational purposes,
(c) any cemetery or churchyard,
(d) any premises or other place to which at the material time members of the public have or are permitted to have access, whether as of right or by express or implied permission, or whether on payment or otherwise, and
(e) any train, vessel or vehicle used for the carriage of persons for reward.
Intoxication in public place.
4.—(1) It shall be an offence for any person to be present in any public place while intoxicated to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that he might endanger himself or any other person in his vicinity.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £100.
(3) Where a member of the Garda Síochána suspects, with reasonable cause, that an offence under this section or under section 5 or 6 is being committed, the member concerned may seize, obtain or remove, without warrant, any bottle or container, together with its contents, which—
(a) is in the possession, in a place other than a place used as a dwelling, of a person by whom such member suspects the offence to have been committed, and
(b) such member suspects, with reasonable cause, contains an intoxicating substance:
Provided that, in the application of this subsection to section 5 or 6, any such bottle or container, together with its contents, may only be so seized, obtained or removed where the member of the Garda Síochána suspects, with reasonable cause, that the bottle or container or its contents, is relevant to the offence under section 5 or 6 which the member suspects is being committed.
(4) In this section—
“bottle or container” does not include a bottle or container for a substance which is in the possession of the person concerned for a purpose other than the intoxication of that or any other person;
“intoxicated” means under the intoxicating influence of any alcoholic drink, drug, solvent or other substance or a combination of substances and cognate words shall be construed accordingly.
Disorderly conduct in public place.
5.—(1) It shall be an offence for any person in a public place to engage in offensive conduct—
(a) between the hours of 12 o'clock midnight and 7 o'clock in the morning next following, or
(b) at any other time, after having been requested by a member of the Garda Síochána to desist.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.
(3) In this section “offensive conduct” means any unreasonable behaviour which, having regard to all the circumstances, is likely to cause serious offence or serious annoyance to any person who is, or might reasonably be expected to be, aware of such behaviour.
Threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in public place.
6.—(1) It shall be an offence for any person in a public place to use or engage in any threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.
Distribution or display in public place of material which is threatening, abusive, insulting or obscene.
7.—(1) It shall be an offence for any person in a public place to distribute or display any writing, sign or visible representation which is threatening, abusive, insulting or obscene with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or to both.
Failure to comply with direction of member of Garda Síochána.
8.—(1) Where a member of the Garda Síochána finds a person in a public place and suspects, with reasonable cause, that such person—
(a) is or has been acting in a manner contrary to the provisions of section 4, 5, 6, 7 or 9, or
(b) without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, is acting in a manner which consists of loitering in a public place in circumstances, which may include the company of other persons, that give rise to a reasonable apprehension for the safety of persons or the safety of property or for the maintenance of the public peace,
the member may direct the person so suspected to do either or both of the following, that is to say:
(i) desist from acting in such a manner, and
(ii) leave immediately the vicinity of the place concerned in a peaceable or orderly manner.
(2) It shall be an offence for any person, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, to fail to comply with a direction given by a member of the Garda Síochána under this section.
(3) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Wilful obstruction.
9.—Any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, wilfully prevents or interrupts the free passage of any person or vehicle in any public place shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £200.
Increase of penalty for common assault, etc.
10.—The Criminal Justice Act, 1951, is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (2) of section 11 of the following:
“(2) A person convicted of common assault or battery shall be liable to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or, at the discretion of the Court, imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both such fine and imprisonment.”.
Entering building, etc., with intent to commit an offence.
11.—(1) It shall be an offence for a person—
(a) to enter any building or the curtilage of any building or any part of such building or curtilage as a trespasser, or
(b) to be within the vicinity of any such building or curtilage or part of such building or curtilage for the purpose of trespassing thereon,
in circumstances giving rise to the reasonable inference that such entry or presence was with intent to commit an offence or with intent to unlawfully interfere with any property situate therein.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Amendment of Vagrancy Act, 1824.
12.—Section 4 (as applied to Ireland by the Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871) of the Vagrancy Act, 1824, is hereby amended by the deletion of “every person being found in or upon any dwelling house, warehouse, coach-house, stable, or outhouse, or in any enclosed yard, garden or area, for any unlawful purpose;”.
Trespass on building, etc.
13.—(1) It shall be an offence for a person, without reasonable excuse, to trespass on any building or the curtilage thereof in such a manner as causes or is likely to cause fear in another person.
(2) (a) Where a member of the Garda Síochána finds a person in a place to which subsection (1) relates and suspects, with reasonable cause, that such person is or has been acting in a manner contrary to the provisions of that subsection, then the member may direct the person so suspected to do either or both of the following, that is to say:
(i) desist from acting in such a manner, and
(ii) leave immediately the vicinity of the place concerned in a peaceable or orderly manner.
(b) It shall be an offence for any person, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, to fail to comply with a direction given by a member of the Garda Síochána under this section.
(3) (a) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
(b) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (2) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
Riot.
14.—(1) Where—
(a) 12 or more persons who are present together at any place (whether that place is a public place or a private place or both) use or threaten to use unlawful violence for a common purpose, and
(b) the conduct of those persons, taken together, is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at that place to fear for his or another person's safety,
then, each of the persons using unlawful violence for the common purpose shall be guilty of the offence of riot.
(2) For the purposes of this section—
(a) it shall be immaterial whether or not the 12 or more persons use or threaten to use unlawful violence simultaneously at any place;
(b) the common purpose may be inferred from conduct;
(c) no person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at that place.
(3) A person guilty of an offence of riot shall be liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both.
(4) The common law offence of riot is hereby abolished.
Violent disorder.
15.—(1) Where—
(a) three or more persons who are present together at any place (whether that place is a public place or a private place or both) use or threaten to use unlawful violence, and
(b) the conduct of those persons, taken together, is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at that place to fear for his or another person's safety,
then, each of the persons using or threatening to use unlawful violence shall be guilty of the offence of violent disorder.
(2) For the purposes of this section—
(a) it shall be immaterial whether or not the three or more persons use or threaten to use unlawful violence simultaneously;
(b) no person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at that place.
(3) A person shall not be convicted of the offence of violent disorder unless the person intends to use or threaten to use violence or is aware that his conduct may be violent or threaten violence.
(4) A person guilty of an offence of violent disorder shall be liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or to both.
(5) A reference, however expressed, in any enactment passed before the commencement of this Act—
(a) to the common law offence of riot, or
(b) to the common law offence of riot and to tumult,
shall be construed as a reference to the offence of violent disorder.
(6) The common law offence of rout and the common law offence of unlawful assembly are hereby abolished.
Affray.
16.—(1) Where—
(a) two or more persons at any place (whether that place is a public place or a private place or both) use or threaten to use violence towards each other, and
(b) the violence so used or threatened by one of those persons is unlawful, and
(c) the conduct of those persons taken together is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at that place to fear for his or another person's safety,
then, each such person who uses or threatens to use unlawful violence shall be guilty of the offence of affray.
(2) For the purposes of this section—
(a) a threat cannot be made by words alone;
(b) no person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the place where the use or threat of violence occurred.
(3) A person shall not be convicted of the offence of affray unless the person intends to use or threaten to use violence or is aware that his conduct may be violent or threaten violence.
(4) A person guilty of an offence of affray shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both,
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.
(5) The common law offence of affray is hereby abolished.
Blackmail, extortion and demanding money with menaces.
17.—(1) It shall be an offence for any person who, with a view to gain for himself or another or with intent to cause loss to another, makes any unwarranted demand with menaces.
(2) For the purposes of this section—
(a) a demand with menaces shall be unwarranted unless the person making it does so in the belief—
(i) that he has reasonable grounds for making the demand, and
(ii) that the use of the menaces is a proper means of reinforcing the demand;
(b) the nature of the act or omission demanded shall be immaterial and it shall also be immaterial whether or not the menaces relate to action to be taken by the person making the demand.
(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both,
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or to both.
Assault with intent to cause bodily harm or commit indictable offence.
18.—(1) Any person who assaults any person with intent to cause bodily harm or to commit an indictable offence shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both,
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.
Assault or obstruction of peace officer.
19.—(1) Any person who—
(a) assaults a peace officer acting in the execution of the peace officer's duty, knowing that he is, or being reckless as to whether he is, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty, or
(b) assaults any other person acting in the aid of a peace officer, or
(c) assaults any other person with intent to resist or prevent the lawful apprehension or detention of himself or any other person for any offence,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable—
(a) having elected for summary disposal of the offence, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both,
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both.
(3) Any person who resists or wilfully obstructs a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty or a person assisting a peace officer in the execution of his duty, knowing that he is or being reckless as to whether he is, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty, shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.
(5) The provisions of this section are in addition to and not in substitution of any provision in any other enactment relating to assault or obstruction of a peace officer.
(6) In this section—
“peace officer” means a member of the Garda Síochána, a prison officer or a member of the Defence Forces;
“prison” means any place for which rules or regulations may be made under the Prisons Acts, 1826 to 1980, section 7 of the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act, 1940, section 233 of the Defence Act, 1954, section 2 of the Prisoners of War and Enemy Aliens Act, 1956, or section 13 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1960;
“prison officer” includes any member of the staff of a prison and any person having the custody of, or having duties in relation to the custody of, a person detained in prison.
PART III
Crowd Control at Public Events
Interpretation (Part III).
20.—In this Part—
“container” does not include a container for any medicinal product;
“disposable container” includes—
(a) any bottle, can or other portable container or any part thereof (including any crushed or broken portable container or part thereof) for holding any drink which, when empty, is of a kind normally discarded or returned to, or left to be recovered by, the supplier, and
(b) any crate or packaging designed to hold more than one such bottle, can or other portable container;
“event” has the meaning assigned to it by section 21 (1);
“intoxicating liquor” includes any container containing intoxicating liquor, whether or not a disposable container.
Control of access to certain events, etc.
21.—(1) If it appears to a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent that it is necessary in the interests of safety or for the purpose of preserving order to restrict the access of persons to a place where an event is taking or is about to take place which attracts, or is likely to attract, a large assembly of persons (in this Part referred to as the “event”), he may authorise any member of the Garda Síochána to erect or cause to be erected a barrier or a series of barriers on any road, street, lane, alley or other means of access to such a place in a position not more than one mile therefrom for the purpose of regulating the access of persons or vehicles thereto.
(2) Where a barrier has been erected in accordance with subsection (1), a member of the Garda Síochána in uniform may by oral or manual direction or by the exhibition of any notice or sign, or any combination thereof—
(a) divert persons generally or particularly and whether in or on vehicles or on foot to another means of access to the event, including a means of access to that event on foot only, or
(b) where possession of a ticket is required for entrance to the event, prohibit a person whether in or on vehicles or on foot from crossing or passing the barrier towards the event where the person has no such ticket, or
(c) indicate that to proceed beyond the barrier while in possession of any intoxicating liquor, disposable drinks container or offensive article will render such liquor, container or article liable to confiscation.
(3) A member of the Garda Síochána shall not prohibit a person from crossing or passing a barrier erected under this section save for the purpose of diverting the person to another means of access to the event, if it appears to the member that the person is seeking to do so for the purpose only of—
(a) going to his dwelling or place of business or work in the vicinity of the event, or
(b) going for any other lawful purpose to any place in the vicinity of the event other than the place where the event is taking place or is about to take place.
(4) A person who—
(a) fails to obey a direction given by a member of the Garda Síochána under subsection (2) for the purposes of paragraph (a) or (b) thereof, or
(b) fails to comply with the terms of a notice or sign exhibited under subsection (2) for the purposes of paragraph (a) or (b) thereof,
shall be guilty of an offence.
(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.
Surrender and seizure of intoxicating liquor, etc.
22.—(1) Where in relation to an event—
(a) a barrier has been erected under section 21 and it appears to a member of the Garda Síochána that a person on foot or in a vehicle is seeking to cross or pass the barrier, or has crossed or passed the barrier, for the purpose of going to the place where the event is taking place or is about to take place, or
(b) it appears to a member of the Garda Síochána that a person is about to enter, or has entered, the place where the event is taking place or is about to take place,
and the person has, or the member of the Garda Síochána suspects with reasonable cause that the person has, in his possession—
(i) any intoxicating liquor, or
(ii) any disposable container, or
(iii) any other article which, having regard to the circumstances or the nature of the event, could be used to cause injury,
the member may exercise any one or more of the following powers—
(I) search or cause to be searched that person or any vehicle in or on which he may be in order to ascertain whether he has with him any such liquor, container or other article,
(II) refuse to allow that person to proceed to the event or to proceed further, as the case may be, unless that person surrenders permanently to a member of the Garda Síochána as directed by the member such liquor, container or other article.
(2) Where a member of the Garda Síochána refuses to allow a person to proceed to the event or to proceed further by virtue of subsection (1) (II) and the person does not surrender the alcoholic liquor, disposable container or other article concerned, the member may require the person to leave the vicinity in an orderly and peaceful manner as directed by the member.
(3) A person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.
PART IV
Miscellaneous and Repeals
Prohibition of advertising of brothels and prostitution.
23.—(1) A person who publishes or causes to be published or distributes or causes to be distributed an advertisement which advertises a brothel or the services of a prostitute in the State or any premises or service in the State in terms, circumstances or manner which gives rise to the reasonable inference that the premises is a brothel or that the service is one of prostitution shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) A person who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000,
(b) on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £10,000.
(3) In any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) it shall be a defence for the accused to show that he is a person whose business it is to publish or distribute or to arrange for the publication or distribution of advertisements and that he received the advertisement in question for publication or distribution in the ordinary course of business and did not know and had no reason to suspect that the advertisement related to a brothel or to the services of a prostitute.
(4) Where an offence under subsection (1) is committed by a body corporate or by a person purporting to act on behalf of a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons and is proved to have been committed with the consent or approval of, or to have been attributable to any neglect on the part of, any person who, when the offence was committed, was a director, member of the committee of management or other controlling authority of the body concerned, or the manager, secretary or other officer of the body, or who was purporting to act in any such capacity, that person, as well as the body, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished as if that person were guilty of the first-mentioned offence.
(5) In this section—
“advertisement” includes every form of advertising or promotion, whether in a publication or by the display of notices or posters or by the means of circulars, leaflets, pamphlets or cards or other documents or by way of radio, television, computer monitor, telephone, facsimile transmission, photography or cinematography or other like means of communication;
“distribute” means distribute to the public or a section of the public and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;
“publish” means publish to the public or a section of the public and cognate words shall be construed accordingly.
Arrest without warrant.
24.—(1) Where a member of the Garda Síochána finds any person committing an offence under a relevant provision, the member may arrest such person without warrant.
(2) Where a member of the Garda Síochána is of the opinion that an offence has been committed under a relevant provision, the member may—
(a) demand the name and address of any person whom the member suspects, with reasonable cause, has committed, or whom the member finds committing, such an offence, and
(b) arrest without warrant any such person who fails or refuses to give his name and address when demanded, or gives a name or address which the member has reasonable grounds for believing is false or misleading.
(3) Any person who fails or refuses to give his name and address when demanded by virtue of subsection (2), or gives a name or address when so demanded which is false or misleading, shall be guilty of an offence.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500 or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months or to both.
(5) In this section “relevant provision” means section 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19.
Continuance of existing powers of Garda Síochána.
25.—Any power conferred on a member of the Garda Síochána by this Act is without prejudice to any other power exercisable by such a member.
Repeals.
26.—The Acts specified in the Schedule to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
Session and Chapter | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
6 & 7 Will. 4, c. 29 | Dublin Police Act, 1836 | Section 9. |
5 & 6 Vict., c. 24 | Dublin Police Act, 1842 | Paragraph numbered 13 of section 14. |
13 & 14 Vict., c. 92 | Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1851 | Paragraph numbered 3 of section 13. |
24 & 25 Vict., c. 100 | Offences against the Person Act, 1861 | Section 38. |
34 & 35 Vict., c. 112 | Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871 | Section 12. |
6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 50 | Larceny Act, 1916 | Sections 29 to 31. |
Acts Referred to | |
No. 2 of 1951 | |
No. 27 of 1960 | |
No. 12 of 1967 | |
No. 18 of 1954 | |
No. 2 of 1940 | |
Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871 | 34 & 35 Vict. c. 112 |
No. 27 of 1956 | |
Prisons Acts, 1826 to 1980 | |
Vagrancy Act, 1824 | 5 Geo. 4, c. 83 |