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Number 22 of 1984
CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 1984
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Detention of Arrested Persons in Garda Síochána Custody in Certain Circumstances
Application to persons in custody under section 30 of Offences against the State Act, 1939. | |
Offences Committed while on Bail and other Offences
Increase of aggregate term of imprisonment in certain cases. | |
Maximum fine on summary conviction of certain indictable offences. |
Inferences from Accused's Failure to Account for Certain Matters
Inferences from failure, refusal to account for objects, marks, etc. | |
Trial Procedure
Miscellaneous
Taking of fingerprints of person dealt with under Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, or convicted. | |
Acts Referred to | |
Children Act, 1908 | 1908, c. 67 |
1951, No. 2 | |
1924, No. 37 | |
1976, No. 32 | |
1976, No. 14 | |
Criminal Procedure Act, 1865 | 1865, c. 18 |
1967, No. 12 | |
Explosive Substances Act, 1883 | 1883, c. 3 |
1925, No. 17 | |
1964, No. 1 | |
Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971 | |
1977, No. 12 | |
1939, No. 13 | |
Probation of Offenders Act, 1907 | 1907, c. 17 |
Number 22 of 1984
CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 1984
Commencement.
1.—(1) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as may be fixed therefor by order or orders of the Minister for Justice either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so fixed for different purposes and different provisions of this Act.
(2) An order shall not be made under subsection (1) in respect of any of the following sections namely, sections 4 to 6, 8 to 10, 15, 16, 18 and 19 until provisions relating to the investigation of complaints from the public against members of the Garda Síochána not above the rank of chief superintendent and the adjudication by a body other than the Garda Síochána of such complaints have been enacted by the Oireachtas and have come into operation and until regulations under section 7 have been made.
(3) Sections 12 and 14 shall not apply in relation to offences committed before the commencement of the section concerned.
Duration of certain sections.
2.—Each of the following sections, namely, sections 4 to 6, 8 to 10, 15, 16, 18 and 19 shall cease to be in operation at the expiry of four years from the commencement of that section unless a resolution has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas resolving that that section should continue in operation.
Interpretation.
3.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
“the Act of 1939” means the Offences against the State Act, 1939;
“imprisonment” includes penal servitude and detention in Saint Patrick's Institution;
“place” includes any building or part of a building, vehicle, vessel, aircraft or hovercraft and any other place whatsoever.
(2) Any reference in this Act to any other enactment shall, except so far as the context otherwise requires, be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended by or under any other enactment, including this Act.
(3) In this Act, a reference to a section is to a section of this Act and a reference to a subsection or paragraph is to the subsection or paragraph of the provision in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment or provision, as may be appropriate, is intended.
Detention of Arrested Persons in Garda Síochána Custody in Certain Circumstances
Detention after arrest.
4.—(1) This section applies to any offence for which a person of full age and capacity and not previously convicted may, under or by virtue of any enactment, be punished by imprisonment for a term of five years or by a more severe penalty and to an attempt to commit any such offence.
(2) Where a member of the Garda Síochána arrests without warrant a person whom he, with reasonable cause, suspects of having committed an offence to which this section applies, that person may be taken to and detained in a Garda Síochána station for such period as is authorised by this section if the member of the Garda Síochána in charge of the station to which he is taken on arrest has at the time of that person's arrival at the station reasonable grounds for believing that his detention is necessary for the proper investigation of the offence.
(3) (a) The period for which a person so arrested may be detained shall, subject to the provisions of this section, not exceed six hours from the time of his arrest.
(b) An officer of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent may direct that a person detained pursuant to subsection (2) be detained for a further period not exceeding six hours if he has reasonable grounds for believing that such further detention is necessary for the proper investigation of the offence.
(c) A direction under paragraph (b) may be given orally or in writing and if given orally shall be recorded in writing as soon as practicable.
(4) If at any time during the detention of a person pursuant to this section there are no longer reasonable grounds for suspecting that he has committed an offence to which this section applies, he shall be released from custody forthwith unless his detention is authorised apart from this Act.
(5) Where a member of the Garda Síochána has enough evidence to prefer a charge for an offence against a person detained in a Garda Síochána station pursuant to this section, he shall without delay charge that person or cause him to be charged unless that person is, with reasonable cause, suspected of another offence to which this section applies and the member of the Garda Síochána then in charge of the station has reasonable grounds for believing that the continuance of his detention pursuant to this section is necessary for the proper investigation of that offence.
(6) (a) If a person is being detained pursuant to this section in a Garda Síochána station between midnight and 8 a.m. and the member in charge of the station is of opinion that any questioning of that person for the purpose of the investigation should be suspended in order to afford him reasonable time to rest, and that person consents in writing to such suspension, the member may give him a notice in writing (which shall specify the time at which it is given) that the investigation (so far as it involves questioning of him) is suspended until such time as is specified in the notice and shall ask him to sign the notice as an acknowledgement that he has received it; and, if the notice is given, the period between the giving thereof and the time specified therein (not being a time later than 8 a.m.) shall be excluded in reckoning a period of detention permitted by this section and the powers conferred by section 6 shall not be exercised during the period so excluded:
Provided that not more than one notice under this paragraph shall be given to a person during any period between midnight and 8 a.m.
(b) A notice under paragraph (a) may, for serious reasons, be withdrawn by a subsequent notice given in like manner, and in that event any time subsequent to the giving of the second notice shall not be excluded under that paragraph.
(c) A member of the Garda Síochána when giving a notice to any person under paragraph (a) or (b) shall explain to him orally the effect of the notice.
(d) The following particulars shall be entered in the records of the Garda Síochána station without delay—
(i) the time of the giving of a notice under paragraph (a) and the time specified therein as the time up to which the questioning is being suspended,
(ii) whether the person being detained acknowledged that he received the notice, and
(iii) the time of the giving of any notice under paragraph (b).
(e) Records kept in pursuance of paragraph (d) shall be preserved for at least twelve months and, if any proceedings are taken against the person in question for the offence in respect of which he was detained, until the conclusion of the proceedings (including any appeal or retrial).
(7) (a) Subject to paragraph (b), subsection (2) shall not apply to a person below the age of twelve years.
(b) If the member in charge of the Garda Síochána station in which a person is detained has reasonable grounds for believing that the person is not below the age of twelve years the subsection shall apply to him as if he were of that age, provided that, where such member ascertains or has reasonable grounds for believing that the person is below that age, he shall be released from custody forthwith unless his detention is authorised apart from this Act.
(8) Where it appears to a member of the Garda Síochána that a person arrested in the circumstances mentioned in subsection (2) is in need of medical attention, or where during his detention it comes to notice that he is in need of such attention, and he is taken for that purpose to a hospital or other suitable place, the time before his arrival at the station or the time during which he is absent from the station, as the case may be, shall be excluded in reckoning a period of detention permitted by this section.
(9) To avoid doubt, it is hereby declared that a person who is being detained pursuant to subsection (2) in connection with an offence shall in no case be held in detention (whether for the investigation of that or any other offence) for longer than twelve hours from the time of his arrest, not including any period which is to be excluded under subsection (6) or (8) in reckoning a period of detention.
(10) Nothing in this section shall affect the operation of section 30 of the Act of 1939.
(11) The powers conferred by this section are without prejudice to any powers exercisable by a member of the Garda Síochána in relation to offences other than offences to which this section applies.
Access to solicitor and notification of detention.
5.—(1) Where a person not below the age of seventeen years is detained in a Garda Síochána station pursuant to section 4, the member of the Garda Síochána in charge of the station shall inform him or cause him to be informed without delay that he is entitled to consult a solicitor and to have notification of his detention and of the station where he is being detained sent to one other person reasonably named by him and shall, on request, cause the solicitor and the named person to be notified accordingly as soon as practicable.
(2) Where a person under the age of seventeen years is detained in a Garda Síochána station pursuant to section 4, the member of the Garda Síochána in charge of the station shall—
(a) inform him or cause him to be informed without delay that he is entitled to consult a solicitor, and
(b) as soon as practicable, inform or cause to be informed a parent or guardian of that person of his detention, of the place where he is being detained and of his entitlement to consult a solicitor,
and shall, on request, cause the solicitor to be notified accordingly as soon as practicable:
Provided that—
(i) if the person detained is married, this subsection shall have effect with the substitution of references to his spouse for the references to a parent or guardian;
(ii) if the member of the Garda Síochána in charge of the station is unable to communicate with a parent or guardian of the person detained or with that person's spouse, as the case may be, the provisions of subsection (1) shall apply as if the person detained had attained the age of seventeen years.
(3) If and for so long as the member of the Garda Síochána in charge of a Garda Síochána station in which a person is detained pursuant to section 4 has reasonable grounds for believing that the person is not below the age of seventeen years, the provisions of subsection (1) shall apply as if he were of that age.
Powers of Garda Síochána in relation to detained person.
6.—(1) Where a person is detained pursuant to section 4, a member of the Garda Síochána may—
(a) demand of him his name and address;
(b) search him or cause him to be searched;
(c) photograph him or cause him to be photographed;
(d) take, or cause to be taken, his fingerprints and palm prints;
(e) make or cause to be made any test designed for the purpose of ascertaining whether he has been in contact with any firearm (within the meaning of the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971) or with any explosive substance (within the meaning of the Explosive Substances Act, 1883) and for that purpose take swabs from his skin or samples of his hair;
(f) seize and retain for testing anything that he has in his possession.
(2) The powers conferred by subsection (1) (c) and (1) (d) shall not be exercised except on the authority of a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent.
(3) Subsection (1) (b) does not empower a member of the Garda Síochána to require a person to remove his underclothing, except where such member, with reasonable cause, suspects that he has concealed on his person a controlled drug (within the meaning of section 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977) or an explosive substance and a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent so authorises.
(4) Any person who obstructs or attempts to obstruct any member of the Garda Síochána or any other person acting under the powers conferred by subsection (1) or who fails or refuses to give his name and address when demanded, or gives a name or address which is false or misleading, shall be guilty of an offence and 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.
(5) Section 7 (2) of the Criminal Law Act, 1976, is hereby amended by the substitution in paragraph (a), for “£500”, of “£1,000” and by the deletion of paragraph (b).
Regulations regarding treatment of persons in custody.
7.—(1) The Minister shall make regulations providing for the treatment of persons in custody in Garda Síochána stations.
(2) The regulations shall include provision for the assignment to the member of the Garda Síochána in charge of a Garda Síochána station, or to some other member, of responsibility for overseeing the application of the regulations at that station, without prejudice to the responsibilities and duties of any other member of the Garda Síochána.
(3) A failure on the part of any member of the Garda Síochána to observe any provision of the regulations shall not of itself render that person liable to any criminal or civil proceedings or of itself affect the lawfulness of the custody of the detained person or the admissibility in evidence of any statement made by him.
(4) A failure on the part of any member of the Garda Síochána to observe any provision of the regulations shall render him liable to disciplinary proceedings.
(5) A draft of every regulation proposed to be made under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the regulation shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each such House.
Destruction of records.
8.—(1) Every photograph (including a negative), fingerprint and palm print of a person taken in pursuance of the powers conferred by section 6 and every copy and record thereof shall, if not previously destroyed, be destroyed as this section directs.
(2) Where proceedings for an offence to which section 4 applies are not instituted against the person within the period of six months from the date of the taking of the photograph or print and the failure to institute such proceedings within that period is not due to the fact that he has absconded or cannot be found, the destruction shall be carried out on the expiration of that period.
(3) Where proceedings have been so instituted and the person is acquitted or discharged or the proceedings are discontinued, the destruction shall be carried out on the acquittal, discharge or discontinuance.
(4) (a) Where a person is the subject of an order under subsection (1) or (2) of section 1 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, the destruction shall be carried out at the expiration of three years from the making of the order provided that he has not been charged with an offence during that period.
(b) Paragraph (a) shall not apply to an order under section 1 (2) of that Act discharged on the appeal of a person against conviction if on appeal his conviction is affirmed.
(5) The person concerned, his solicitor or some other person authorised by him in writing to act on his behalf shall be entitled, on request, to witness the destruction.
(6) Where civil proceedings are instituted before a particular photograph or print is required to be destroyed under this section and a party to the proceedings serves notice on the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána that it may be required in connection with the proceedings, then, notwithstanding anything in this section, the photograph or print shall be preserved until six months from the conclusion of the proceedings or until the conclusion of any proceedings on appeal, whichever is the later.
(7) Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this section, a justice of the District Court may, on the application of the Director of Public Prosecutions, authorise the preservation of a photograph or print for a period not exceeding six months on being satisfied that it may be required for the purpose of further proceedings in relation to the offence.
Application to persons in custody under section 30 of Offences against the State Act, 1939.
9.—Sections 4 (8), 5, 6 (2) and 6 (3) shall apply, with the necessary modifications, in relation to persons in custody under section 30 of the Act of 1939 and to the powers conferred by section 7 of the Criminal Law Act, 1976, as they apply to persons detained pursuant to section 4 of this Act.
Rearrest.
10.—(1) Where a person arrested on suspicion of having committed an offence is detained pursuant to section 4 and is released without any charge having been made against him, he shall not—
(a) be arrested again for the same offence, or
(b) be arrested for any other offence of which, at the time of the first arrest, the member of the Garda Síochána by whom he was arrested suspected him or ought reasonably to have suspected him,
except on the authority of a justice of the District Court who is satisfied on information supplied on oath by a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent that further information has come to the knowledge of the Garda Síochána since the person's release as to his suspected participation in the offence for which his arrest is sought. A person arrested under that authority shall be dealt with pursuant to section 4.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in subsection (1), a person to whom that subsection relates may be arrested for any offence for the purpose of charging him with that offence forthwith.
(3) Where a person who has been arrested under section 30 of the Act of 1939 in connection with an offence is released without any charge having been made against him, he shall not be detained pursuant to section 4—
(a) in connection with the first-mentioned offence, or
(b) in connection with any other offence of which, at the time of his arrest for the first-mentioned offence, the member of the Garda Síochána by whom he was arrested suspected him or ought reasonably to have suspected him.
Offences Committed while on Bail and other Offences
Offences committed while on bail: consecutive sentences.
11.—(1) Any sentence of imprisonment passed on a person for an offence committed after the commencement of this section while he was on bail shall be consecutive on any sentence passed on him for a previous offence or, if he is sentenced in respect of two or more previous offences, on the sentence last due to expire, so however that, where two or more consecutive sentences as required by this section are passed by the District Court, the aggregate term of imprisonment in respect of those consecutive sentences shall not exceed two years.
(2) Subsection (1) shall not apply where any such sentence is one of imprisonment for life or is a sentence of detention under section 103 of the Children Act, 1908.
(3) Subsection (1) shall apply notwithstanding anything contained in section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951.
Increase of aggregate term of imprisonment in certain cases.
12.—(1) Section 5 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951 (which provides that, where two or more sentences passed by the District Court are ordered to run consecutively, the aggregate term of imprisonment shall not exceed twelve months) is hereby amended by the substitution, for “twelve months”, of “two years”. In that section “imprisonment” shall include detention in Saint Patrick's Institution.
(2) Section 13 (1) of the Criminal Law Act, 1976 (which provides for consecutive sentences in the case of an offence committed by a person while he is serving a sentence) is hereby amended by the substitution, for “twelve months”, of “two years”.
Failure to surrender to bail.
13.—(1) If a person who has been released on bail in criminal proceedings fails to appear before a court in accordance with his recognisance, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.
(2) It shall be a defence in any proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) for the accused to show that the he had a reasonable excuse for not so appearing.
(3) For the purpose of section 11 an offence under this section shall be treated as an offence committed while on bail.
(4) Where a person has failed to appear before a court in answer to his bail and the court has directed that a warrant be issued for the arrest of that person by reason of his failure to answer his bail, a member of the Garda Síochána may arrest such a person notwithstanding that he does not have the warrant in his possession at the time of the arrest.
(5) Where a person is arrested pursuant to subsection (4) the member arresting him shall as soon as practicable produce and serve on the said person the said warrant.
Increase of penalties for certain firearms offences.
14.—(1) Section 15 of the Firearms Act, 1925, as amended by section 21 (4) of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976 (possessing firearm or ammunition with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property) is hereby amended by the substitution, for “imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years”, of “imprisonment for life”.
(2) Section 26 (1) of the Firearms Act, 1964, as amended by section 21 (6) (b) of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976 (possession of firearm while taking vehicle without authority) is hereby amended by the substitution, for “seven years”, of “fourteen years”.
(3) Section 27 (2) of the Firearms Act, 1964, as amended by section 21 (6) (c) of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976 (use of firearm to resist arrest or aid escape) is hereby amended by the substitution, for “imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years”, of “imprisonment for life”.
(4) Section 27A (1) of the Firearms Act, 1964, inserted by section 8 of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976 (possession of firearm or ammunition in suspicious circumstances) is hereby amended by the substitution, for “five years”, of “ten years”.
(5) Section 27B (1) of the Firearms Act, 1964, inserted by section 9 of the Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976 (carrying firearm with criminal intent) is hereby amended by the substitution, for “ten years”, of “fourteen years”.
Withholding information regarding firearms or ammunition.
15.—(1) Where a member of the Garda Síochána—
(a) finds a person in possession of any firearm or ammunition,
(b) has reasonable grounds for believing that the person is in possession of the firearm or ammunition in contravention of the criminal law, and
(c) informs that person of his belief,
he may require that person to give him any information which is in his possession, or which he can obtain by taking reasonable steps, as to how he came by the firearm or ammunition and as to any previous dealings with it, whether by himself or by any other person.
(2) If that person fails or refuses, without reasonable excuse, to give the information or gives information that he knows to be false or misleading, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.
(3) Subsection (2) shall not have effect unless the accused when required to give the information was told in ordinary language by the member of the Garda Síochána what the effect of his failure or refusal might be.
(4) Any information given by a person in compliance with a requirement under subsection (1) shall not be admissible in evidence against that person or his spouse in any proceedings, civil or criminal, other than proceedings for an offence under subsection (2).
Withholding information regarding stolen property, etc.
16.—(1) Where a member of the Garda Síochána—
(a) has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence consisting of the stealing, fraudulent conversion, embezzlement or unlawful obtaining or receiving of money or other property has been committed,
(b) finds any person in possession of any property,
(c) has reasonable grounds for believing that the property referred to in paragraph (b) includes, or may include, the property referred to in paragraph (a) or part of it, or the whole or any part of the proceeds of that property or part, and
(d) informs that person of his belief,
he may require that person to give him an account of how he came by the property.
(2) If that person fails or refuses, without reasonable excuse, to give such account or gives information that he knows to be false or misleading, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.
(3) Subsection (2) shall not have effect unless the accused when required to give the account was told in ordinary language by the member of the Garda Síochána what the effect of the failure or refusal might be.
(4) Any information given by a person in compliance with a requirement under subsection (1) shall not be admissible in evidence against that person or his spouse in any proceedings, civil or criminal, other than proceedings for an offence under subsection (2).
Maximum fine on summary conviction of certain indictable offences.
17.—Section 4 (1) of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951, and section 13 (3) (a) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1967 (each of which provides for a maximum fine of £100 on summary conviction of certain indictable offences) are hereby amended by the substitution, in each of those provisions, of “£1,000” for “£100”.
Inferences from Accused's Failure to Account for Certain Matters
Inferences from failure, refusal to account for objects, marks, etc.
18.—(1) Where—
(a) a person is arrested without warrant by a member of the Garda Síochána, and there is—
(i) on his person, or
(ii) in or on his clothing or footwear, or
(iii) otherwise in his possession, or
(iv) in any place in which he is at the time of his arrest
any object, substance or mark, or there is any mark on any such object, and the member reasonably believes that the presence of the object, substance or mark may be attributable to the participation of the person arrested in the commission of the offence in respect of which he was arrested, and
(b) the member informs the person arrested that he so believes, and requests him to account for the presence of the object, substance or mark, and
(c) the person fails or refuses to do so,
then if, in any proceedings against the person for the offence, evidence of the said matters is given, the court, in determining whether to send forward the accused for trial or whether there is a case to answer and the court (or, subject to the judge's directions, the jury) in determining whether the accused is guilty of the offence charged (or of any other offence of which he could lawfully be convicted on that charge) may draw such inferences from the failure or refusal as appear proper; and the failure or refusal may, on the basis of such inferences, be treated as, or as capable of amounting to, corroboration of any other evidence in relation to which the failure or refusal is material, but a person shall not be convicted of an offence solely on an inference drawn from such failure or refusal.
(2) References in subsection (1) to evidence shall, in relation to the preliminary examination of a charge, be taken to include a statement of the evidence to be given by a witness at the trial.
(3) Subsection (1) shall apply to the condition of clothing or footwear as it applies to a substance or mark thereon.
(4) Subsection (1) shall not have effect unless the accused was told in ordinary language by the member of the Garda Síochána when making the request mentioned in subsection (1) (b) what the effect of the failure or refusal might be.
(5) Nothing in this section shall be taken to preclude the drawing of any inference from a failure or refusal to account for the presence of an object, substance or mark or from the condition of clothing or footwear which could properly be drawn apart from this section.
(6) This section shall not apply in relation to a failure or refusal if the failure or refusal occurred before the commencement of this section.
Inferences from accused's presence at a particular place.
19.—(1) Where—
(a) a person arrested without warrant by a member of the Garda Síochána was found by him at a particular place at or about the time the offence in respect of which he was arrested is alleged to have been committed, and
(b) the member reasonably believes that the presence of the person at that place and at that time may be attributable to his participation in the commission of the offence, and
(c) the member informs the person that he so believes, and requests him to account for such presence, and
(d) the person fails or refuses to do so,
then if, in any proceedings against the person for the offence, evidence of the said matters is given, the court, in determining whether to send forward the accused for trial or whether there is a case to answer and the court (or, subject to the judge's directions, the jury) in determining whether the accused is guilty of the offence charged (or of any other offence of which he could lawfully be convicted on that charge) may draw such inferences from the failure or refusal as appear proper; and the failure or refusal may, on the basis of such inferences, be treated as, or as capable of amounting to, corroboration of any evidence in relation to which the failure or refusal is material, but a person shall not be convicted of an offence solely on an inference drawn from such failure or refusal.
(2) References in subsection (1) to evidence shall, in relation to the preliminary examination of a charge, be taken to include a statement of the evidence to be given by a witness at the trial.
(3) Subsection (1) shall not have effect unless the accused was told in ordinary language by the member of the Garda Síochána when making the request mentioned in subsection (1) (c) what the effect of the failure or refusal might be.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be taken to preclude the drawing of any inference from the failure or refusal of a person to account for his presence which could properly be drawn apart from this section.
(5) This section shall not apply in relation to a failure or refusal if the failure or refusal occurred before the commencement of this section.
Trial Procedure
Notice of alibi in trials on indictment.
20.—(1) On a trial on indictment for an offence committed after the commencement of this section the accused shall not without the leave of the court adduce evidence in support of an alibi unless, before the end of the prescribed period, he gives notice of particulars of the alibi.
(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), on any such trial the accused shall not without the leave of the court call any other person (in this section referred to as the witness) to give such evidence unless—
(a) the notice under that subsection includes the name and address of the witness or, if the name or address is not known to the accused at the time he gives the notice, any information in his possession which might be of material assistance in finding the witness,
(b) if the name or the address is not included in that notice, the court is satisfied that the accused, before giving the notice, took and thereafter continued to take all reasonable steps to secure that the name or address would be ascertained,
(c) if the name or the address is not included in that notice, but the accused subsequently discovers the name or address or receives other information which might be of material assistance in finding the witness, he gives notice forthwith of the name, address or other information, as the case may be, and
(d) if the accused is notified by or on behalf of the prosecution that the witness has not been traced by the name or at the address given, he gives notice forthwith of any such information which is then in his possession or, on subsequently receiving any such information, gives notice of it forthwith.
(3) The court shall not refuse leave under this section if it appears to the court that the accused was not informed of the requirements of this section—
(a) by the District Court when he was sent forward for trial, or
(b) by the trial court when, on being sent forward by the District Court for sentence, he changed his plea to one of not guilty, or
(c) where he was brought before a Special Criminal Court for trial under section 47 of the Act of 1939, by the Court when it fixed the date of trial.
(4) Any evidence tendered to disprove an alibi may, subject to any directions by the court as to the time it is to be given, be given before or after evidence is given in support of the alibi.
(5) Any notice purporting to be given under this section on behalf of the accused by his solicitor shall, unless the contrary is proved, be deemed to be given with the authority of the accused.
(6) A notice under subsection (1) shall either be given in court during, or at the end of, the preliminary examination of the offence concerned or be given in writing to the solicitor for the prosecution, and a notice under paragraph (c) or (d) of subsection (2) shall be given in writing to that solicitor.
(7) A notice required by this section to be given to the solicitor for the prosecution may be given by delivering it to him or by leaving it at his office or by sending it to him by registered post at his office.
(8) In this section—
“evidence in support of an alibi” means evidence tending to show that by reason of the presence of the accused at a particular place or in a particular area at a particular time he was not, or was unlikely to have been, at the place where the offence is alleged to have been committed at the time of its alleged commission;
“the prescribed period” means—
(a) the period of fourteen days from the end of the preliminary examination referred to in subsection (6), or
(b) where the accused waives a preliminary examination, the period of fourteen days from the date of the waiver, or
(c) where the accused, on being sent forward for sentence, changes his plea to one of not guilty, the period of fourteen days from the date on which he does so, or
(d) where the accused is brought before a Special Criminal Court for trial under section 47 of the Act of 1939, such period as is fixed by the Court when the Court fixes the date of trial.
Proof by written statement.
21.—(1) In any proceedings against a person for an offence, other than the preliminary examination of an indictable offence, a written statement by any person shall, if such of the conditions mentioned in subsection (2) as are applicable are satisfied, be admissible as evidence to the like extent as oral evidence to the like effect by that person.
(2) The said conditions are:
(a) the statement purports to be signed by the person who made it;
(b) the statement contains a declaration by that person to the effect that it is true to the best of his knowledge and belief and that he made the statement knowing that, if it were tendered in evidence, he would be liable to prosecution if he stated in it anything which he knew to be false or did not believe to be true;
(c) a copy of the statement is served, by or on behalf of the party proposing to tender it in evidence, on each of the other parties to the proceedings; and
(d) none of the other parties or their solicitors, within twenty-one days from the service of the copy of the statement, serves on the party so proposing a notice objecting to the statement being tendered in evidence under this section.
(3) The conditions mentioned in paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (2) shall not apply if the parties agree at the hearing or the parties or their solicitors agree before the hearing that the statement shall be so tendered.
(4) The following provisions shall also have effect in relation to any written statement tendered in evidence under this section:
(a) if the statement is made by a person under the age of twenty-one years, it shall give his age;
(b) if it is made by a person who cannot read it, it shall be read to him before he signs it and shall be accompanied by a declaration by the person who so read the statement to the effect that it was so read; and
(c) if it refers to any other document as an exhibit, the copy served on any other party to the proceedings under subsection (2) (c) shall be accompanied by a copy of that document or by such information as may be necessary in order to enable the party on whom it is served to inspect that document or a copy thereof.
(5) Notwithstanding that a written statement made by any person may be admissible as evidence by virtue of this section—
(a) the party by whom or on whose behalf a copy of the statement was served may call that person to give evidence, and
(b) the court may, of its own motion or on the application of any party to the proceedings, require that person to attend before the court and give evidence.
(6) An application under subsection (5) (b) may be made before the hearing in a case in which the proceedings are in the Central Criminal Court, the Circuit Court or the Special Criminal Court and, for this purpose, the powers of the Central Criminal Court shall be exercisable by any judge of the High Court and the powers of the Circuit Court shall be exercisable by any judge of that court.
(7) So much of any statement as is admitted as evidence by virtue of this section shall, unless the court otherwise directs, be read aloud at the hearing.
(8) Any document or object referred to as an exhibit and identified in a written statement tendered in evidence under this section shall be treated as if it had been produced as an exhibit and identified in court by the maker of the statement.
(9) A document required by this section to be served on any person may, subject to subsection (10), be served—
(a) by delivering it to him or to his solicitor,
(b) by addressing it to him and leaving it at his usual or last known residence or place of business or by addressing it to his solicitor and leaving it at the solicitor's office,
(c) by sending it by registered post to him at his usual or last known residence or place of business or to his solicitor at the solicitor's office, or
(d) in the case of a body corporate, by delivering it to the secretary or clerk of the body at its registered or principal office or sending it by registered post to the secretary or clerk of that body at that office.
(10) A document required by this section to be served on an accused shall, if the accused is not represented by a solicitor, be served personally on the accused.
(11) Where—
(a) a statement is tendered in evidence by virtue of this section, and
(b) the person by whom the statement was made has stated in it anything which he knew to be false or did not believe to be true,
he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £2,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.
(12) This section shall also apply to a written statement made outside the State with the omission from subsection (2) (b) of the words from “and that he made the statement” to the end of the paragraph, and the omission of subsection (11).
Proof by formal admission.
22.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any fact of which oral evidence may be given in any criminal proceedings may be admitted for the purpose of those proceedings by or on behalf of the prosecution or the accused, and the admission by any party of any such fact under this section shall be against that party be conclusive evidence in those proceedings of the fact admitted.
(2) An admission under this section—
(a) may be made before or at the hearing,
(b) if made otherwise than in court, shall be in writing,
(c) if made in writing by an individual, shall be signed by the person making it and, if so made by a body corporate, shall be signed by a director or manager, or the secretary or clerk or some other similar officer of the body corporate,
(d) if made on behalf of an accused who is an individual, shall be made by his counsel or solicitor,
(e) if made at any stage before the hearing by an accused who is an individual, must be approved by his counsel or solicitor either at the time it was made or subsequently,
and any signature referred to in paragraph (c) shall be taken to be that of the person whose signature it appears to be unless the contrary is shown.
(3) An admission under this section for the purpose of proceedings relating to any matter shall be treated as an admission for the purpose of any subsequent criminal proceedings relating to that matter (including any appeal or retrial).
(4) An admission under this section may with the leave of the court be withdrawn in the proceedings for the purpose of which it is made or any subsequent criminal proceedings relating to the same matter.
Abolition of right of accused to make unsworn statement.
23.—(1) In any proceedings against a person for an offence the accused shall not be entitled to make a statement without being sworn and, accordingly, if he gives evidence, he shall do so on oath and be liable to cross-examination, but this shall not—
(a) affect the right of the accused, if not represented by counsel or a solicitor, to address the court or jury otherwise than on oath on any matter on which, if he were so represented, his counsel or solicitor could address the court or jury on his behalf,
(b) affect any trial, or the preliminary examination of any indictable offence, commenced before the commencement of this section.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall prevent the accused from making a statement without being sworn—
(a) if it is one which he is required by law to make personally, or
(b) if he makes it by way of mitigation before the court passes sentence upon him.
(3) The following provisions are hereby repealed:
(a) paragraph (h) of the proviso to section 1 of the Criminal Justice (Evidence) Act, 1924, and
(b) section 7 (4) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1967, and, in section 8 (2) of that Act, the words from “proceed in accordance with” to “paragraph (a),”.
Order of closing speeches.
24.—(1) Notwithstanding any rule of law or practice, and notwithstanding anything contained in section 2 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1865, the procedure at a trial on indictment as to the closing speeches for the prosecution and for the defence shall be as follows:
(a) the prosecution shall have the right to a closing speech in all cases except where the accused is not represented by counsel or a solicitor and does not call any witness (other than a witness to character only), and the defence shall have the right to a closing speech in all cases, and
(b) the closing speech for the defence shall be made after that for the prosecution.
(2) Section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Evidence) Act, 1924, is hereby repealed.
Majority verdicts.
25.—(1) The verdict of a jury in criminal proceedings need not be unanimous in a case where there are not fewer than eleven jurors if ten of them agree on the verdict.
(2) The court shall not accept a verdict of guilty unless the foreman of the jury has stated in open court whether the verdict is unanimous or is by a majority in accordance with subsection (1) and, in the latter event, the number of jurors who agreed to the verdict.
(3) The court shall not accept a verdict by virtue of subsection (1) unless it appears to the court that the jury have had such period of time for deliberation as the court thinks reasonable having regard to the nature and complexity of the case; and the court shall not in any event accept such a verdict unless it appears to the court that the jury have had at least two hours for deliberation.
(4) The court shall cause the verdict of the jury to be taken in such a way that, where the verdict is one of not guilty, it shall not be indicated whether the verdict was unanimous or by a majority.
(5) This section shall not affect the trial of any offence for which the court is required, upon the conviction of the accused, to sentence him to death or any trial commenced before the commencement of this section.
Miscellaneous
Proceedings after arrest.
26.—The following section shall be substituted for section 15 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1951:
“15.—(1) A person arrested pursuant to a warrant shall on arrest be brought before a justice of the District Court having jurisdiction to deal with the offence concerned or, if a justice is not immediately available, before a peace commissioner in the district of such a justice as soon as practicable.
(2) A person arrested without warrant shall, on being charged with an offence, be brought before a justice of the District Court having jurisdiction to deal with the offence or, if a justice is not immediately available, before a peace commissioner in the district of such a justice as soon as practicable.
(3) Where a person is arrested pursuant to a warrant later than the hour of 10 o'clock on any evening or, having been arrested without warrant, is charged after that hour and a justice is due to sit in the District Court district in which the person was arrested not later than noon on the following day, it shall be sufficient compliance with subsection (1) or (2), as the case may be, if he is brought before a justice at the commencement of the sitting.
(4) If the person is brought before a peace commissioner, the commissioner, having heard the evidence offered, shall remand him, either in custody or on such bail as the commissioner thinks fit, and remit the case for hearing before a justice of the District Court having jurisdiction to deal with it.
(5) If the accused is remanded on bail and there and then finds bail, the case shall be remitted to the next sitting of the court.
(6) In any other event, the case shall be remitted to a sitting of the court at a named place to be held within eight days after the arrest.
(7) This section is without prejudice to the provisions of any enactment relating to proceedings after arrest or charge in particular cases.”.
Electronic recording of questioning.
27.—(1) The Minister for Justice may by regulations provide for the recording by electronic or other similar means of the questioning of persons by members of the Garda Síochána at Garda Síochána stations or elsewhere in connection with the investigation of offences.
(2) The regulations may be made so as to apply generally or to questioning at such places, to such extent, in relation to such offences or in such circumstances, as may be prescribed therein.
(3) The regulations shall include provision for the preservation, for such time and in such manner as may be prescribed therein, of every recording made in accordance with the regulations.
(4) Any failure to comply with a provision of the regulations shall not by itself render a person liable to civil or criminal proceedings, and (without prejudice to the power of the court to exclude evidence at its discretion) shall not by itself render inadmissible in evidence anything said during such questioning.
Taking of fingerprints of person dealt with under Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, or convicted.
28.—(1) Where a person, on being prosecuted for an indictable offence, is the subject of an order under subsection (1) or (2) of section 1 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, or is convicted and otherwise dealt with, his fingerprints may be taken by a member of the Garda Síochána either within the precincts of the court or at any other convenient place.
(2) The power to take a person's fingerprints pursuant to this section shall cease on the expiration of one week beginning on the date on which he is dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, or convicted, unless he has made it impracticable for his fingerprints to be taken pursuant to this section in that period.
(3) The provisions of section 8 shall apply to the fingerprints taken pursuant to this section of a person who is the subject of an order under subsection (1) or (2) of section 1 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, as they apply to fingerprints taken in pursuance of the powers conferred by section 6.
(4) Any person who refuses to allow his fingerprints to be taken pursuant to this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.
Application of Act to courts-martial.
29.—The provisions of this Act relating to criminal proceedings shall not apply in relation to a trial by court-martial except so far as any such provision is so applied by regulations made by the Minister for Defence, with such modifications, if any, as may be prescribed by the regulations.
Laying of regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
30.—Every regulation made under this Act (other than a regulation under section 7) shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after such regulation is made and, if a resolution annulling such regulation is passed by either House of the Oireachtas within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which that House has sat after such regulation has been laid before it, such regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under such regulation.
Expenses.
31.—The expenses incurred by the Minister for Justice in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Short title.
32.—This Act may be cited as the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
Uimhir 22 de 1984
AN tACHT UM CHEARTAS COIRIÚIL, 1984
RIAR NA nALT
Alt | |
1. | |
2. | |
3. |
Daoine Gafa a Choinneáil i gCoimeád an Gharda Síochána in Imthosca Áirithe
Cionta a Dhéantar le linn bheith faoi Bhannaí agus Cionta eile
11. | Cionta a dhéantar le linn bheith faoi bhannaí: pianbhreitheanna as a chéile. |
12. | |
13. | |
14. | |
15. | |
16. | |
17. | Fíneáil uasta ar dhuine a chiontú go hachomair i gcionta indíotáilte áirithe. |
Tátail as Faillí an Chúisí Cuntas a Thabhairt i dtaobh Ábhar Áirithe
18. | Tátail as faillí, diúltú cuntas a thabhairt i dtaobh rudaí, marcanna, etc. |
19. |
Nós Imeachta Trialach
20. | |
21. | |
22. | |
23. | Neamhniú ar cheart an chúisí ráiteas neamh-mhionnaithe a dhéanamh. |
24. | |
25. |
Ilghnéitheach
26. | |
27. | |
28. | |
29. | |
30. | |
31. | |
32. |
Na hAchtanna Dá dTagraítear | |
Children Act, 1908 | 1908, c. 67 |
Criminal Procedure Act, 1865 | 1865, c. 18 |
Explosive Substances Act, 1883 | 1883, c. 3 |
Achtanna na nArm Tine, 1925 go 1971 | |
Probation of Offenders Act, 1907 | 1907, c. 17 |
Uimhir 22 de 1984
AN tACHT UM CHEARTAS COIRIÚIL, 1984
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá nó laethanta a shocrófar le hordú nó le horduithe ón Aire Dlí agus Cirt chuige sin i gcoitinne nó faoi threoir aon chríche nó forála áirithe agus féadfar laethanta éagsúla a shocrú amhlaidh chun críocha éagsúla agus forálacha éagsúla den Acht seo.
(2) Ní dhéanfar ordú faoi fho-alt (1) i leith aon cheann de na hailt seo a leanas, eadhon, ailt 4 go 6, 8 go 10, 15, 16, 18 agus 19 go dtí go mbeidh forálacha a bhaineann le himscrúdú ar ghearáin ón bpobal in aghaidh comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána nach airde céim ná ardcheannfort agus le breithniú gearáin den sórt sin ag comhlacht seachas an Garda Síochána achtaithe ag an Oireachtas agus tagtha i ngníomh ná go dtí go ndéanfar rialacháin faoi alt 7.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm le hailt 12 agus 14 i ndáil le cionta a dhéantar roimh thosach feidhme an ailt lena mbaineann.
Ré alt áirithe.
2.—Scoirfidh gach ceann de na hailt seo a leanas, eadhon, ailt 4 go 6, 8 go 10, 15, 16, 18 agus 19 de bheith i ngníomh tar éis ceithre bliana ó thosach feidhme an ailt sin mura rud é go mbeidh rún rite ag gach Teach den Oireachtas ag cinneadh go leanfaidh an t-alt sin i ngníomh.
Léiriú.
3.—(1) San Acht seo, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt—
ciallaíonn “Acht 1939” an tAcht um Chiontaí in aghaidh an Stáit, 1939;
folaíonn “príosúnacht” pianseirbhís agus coinneáil i bhForas Naomh Pádraig;
folaíonn “áit” aon fhoirgneamh nó cuid d'fhoirgneamh, aon fheithicil, soitheach, aerárthach nó sciorrárthach agus aon áit ar bith eile.
(2) Déanfar aon tagairt san Acht seo d'aon achtachán eile a fhorléiriú, ach amháin a mhéid a éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú le haon achtachán eile, lena n-áirítear an tAcht seo, nó faoi.
(3) San Acht seo, aon tagairt d'alt is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo agus aon tagairt 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'achtachán nó d'fhoráil éigin eile, de réir mar is iomchuí, atá beartaithe.
Daoine Gafa a Choinneáil i gCoimeád an Gharda Síochána in Imthosca Áirithe
Coinneáil tar éis gabhála.
4.—(1) Baineann an t-alt seo le haon chion ar ina leith a fhéadtar duine lánaoise lán-inniúlachta nár ciontaíodh roimhe sin a phionósú, faoi réim nó de bhua aon achtacháin, trí phríosúnacht ar feadh téarma cúig bliana nó trí phionós is déine ná sin agus le haon iarracht cion den sórt sin a dhéanamh.
(2) I gcás ina ngabhfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána, gan bharántas, duine a bhfuil drochamhras aige air, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis sin, go ndearna sé cion lena mbaineann an t-alt seo, féadfar an duine sin a thabhairt go dtí stáisiún Garda Síochána agus a choinneáil ann go ceann cibé tréimhse a údaraítear leis an alt seo más rud é go bhfuil ag an gcomhalta den Gharda Síochána atá i gceannas an stáisiúin a dtugtar an duine sin chuige ar é a ghabháil forais réasúnacha chun a chreidiúint, nuair a thagann an duine sin go dtí an stáisiún, gur gá é a choinneáil chun an cion a imscrúdú go cuí.
(3) (a) Faoi réir fhorálacha an ailt seo, ní rachaidh an tréimhse a bhféadtar duine atá gafa amhlaidh a choinneáil thar shé huaire a chloig ó am a ghabhála.
(b) Féadfaidh oifigeach den Gharda Síochána nach ísle céim ná ceannfort a ordú go ndéanfar duine atá á choinneáil de bhun fho-alt (2) a choinneáil go ceann tréimhse breise nach faide ná sé huaire a chloig má tá forais réasúnacha aige chun a chreidiúint gur gá an choinneáil bhreise sin chun an cion a imscrúdú go cuí.
(c) Féadfar ordú faoi mhír (b) a thabhairt ó bhéal nó i scríbhinn agus más ó bhéal a thugtar é taifeadfar i scríbhinn é a luaithe is féidir.
(4) Más rud é, aon tráth le linn choinneáil duine de bhun an ailt seo, nach bhfuil forais réasúnacha ann a thuilleadh chun drochamhras a bheith air go ndearna sé cion lena mbaineann an t-alt seo, scaoilfear as coimeád láithreach é mura mbeidh a choinneáil údaraithe ar leith ón Acht seo.
(5) I gcás ina mbeidh dóthain fianaise ag comhalta den Gharda Síochána chun cúiseamh i leith ciona a chur in aghaidh duine atá á choinneáil i stáisiún Garda Síochána de bhun an ailt seo, cúiseoidh sé nó cuirfidh sé faoi deara go gcúiseofar an duine gan mhoill mura bhfuil drochamhras ar an duine sin, agus cúis réasúnach leis sin, go ndearna sé cion eile lena mbaineann an t-alt seo agus go bhfuil forais réasúnacha ag an gcomhalta den Gharda Síochána atá i gceannas an stáisiúin an tráth sin chun a chreidiúint gur gá leanúint dá choinneáil de bhun an ailt seo chun an cion sin a imscrúdú go cuí.
(6) (a) Más rud é go bhfuil duine á choinneáil de bhun an ailt seo i stáisiún Garda Síochána idir meán oíche agus 8 a.m. agus gurb é tuairim an chomhalta atá i gceannas an stáisiúin gur ceart aon cheistiú ar an duine sin, chun críche an imscrúdaithe, a chur ar fionraí d'fhonn am réasúnach a thabhairt don duine sin a scíth a ligean, agus go dtoileoidh an duine sin i scríbhinn leis an bhfionraí sin, féadfaidh an comhalta fógra a thabhairt dó i scríbhinn (ina sonrófar an t-am a thugtar é) go bhfuil an t-imscrúdú (a mhéid a bhaineann sé lena cheistiú) ar fionraí go dtí cibé am a bheidh sonraithe san fhógra agus iarrfaidh sé air an fógra a shíniú mar admháil go bhfuair sé é; agus má thugtar an fógra, déanfar an tréimhse idir an t-am ar tugadh an fógra agus an t-am a bheidh sonraithe ann (nach déanaí ná 8 a.m.) a eisiamh nuair a bheidh tréimhse choinneála a cheadaítear leis an alt seo á ríomh agus ní fheidhmeofar na cumhachtaí a thugtar le halt 6 i rith na tréimhse a eisiatar amhlaidh:
Ar choinníoll nach dtabharfar níos mó ná fógra amháin faoin alt seo do dhuine i rith aon tréimhse idir meán oíche agus 8 a.m.
(b) Féadfar fógra faoi mhír (a) a tharraingt siar, ar chúiseanna tromaí, trí fhógra ina dhiaidh sin a thabharfar sa tslí chéanna, agus i gcás den sórt sin ní dhéanfar aon am i ndiaidh an dara fógra a thabhairt a eisiamh faoin mír sin.
(c) Déanfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána, nuair a bheidh fógra á thabhairt aige d'aon duine faoi mhír (a) nó (b), éifeacht an fhógra a mhíniú dó ó bhéal.
(d) Déanfar na sonraí seo a leanas a chur gan mhoill i dtaifid an stáisiúin Gharda Síochána—
(i) an t-am ar tugadh fógra faoi mhír (a) agus an t-am a sonraítear ann gurb é an t-am é ar chuige atá an ceistiú á chur ar fionraí,
(ii) ar thug an duine atá á choinneáil admháil go bhfuair sé an fógra, agus
(iii) an t-am ar tugadh aon fhógra faoi mhír (b).
(e) Déanfar taifid a choimeádfar de bhun mhír (d) a chaomhnú ar feadh dhá mhí dhéag ar a laghad agus, má thionscnaítear aon imeachtaí in aghaidh an duine lena mbaineann i leith an chiona ar maidir leis a coinníodh é, go dtí deireadh na n-imeachtaí (lena n-áirítear aon achomharc nó atriail).
(7) (a) Faoi réir mhír (b), ní bhainfidh fo-alt (2) le duine faoi bhun dhá bhliain déag d'aois.
(b) Más rud é go bhfuil ag an gcomhalta atá i gceannas an stáisiúin Gharda Síochána ina bhfuil duine á choinneáil forais réasúnacha chun a chreidiúint nach bhfuil an duine faoi bhun dhá bhliain déag d'aois bainfidh an fo-alt leis amhail is dá mbeadh an aois sin aige, ar choinníoll, i gcás ina bhfionnfaidh an comhalta sin, nó go mbeidh forais réasúnacha aige chun a chreidiúint, go bhfuil an duine faoi bhun na haoise sin, go scaoilfear as coimeád láithreach é mura mbeidh a choinneáil údaraithe ar leith ón Acht seo.
(8) Má dhealraíonn sé do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána gur gá cóir liachta a chur ar dhuine a bheidh gafa sna himthosca atá luaite i bhfo-alt (2), nó má thugtar faoi deara i rith a choinneála gur gá cóir den sórt sin a chur air, agus go dtabharfar chuig ospidéal nó chuig áit oiriúnach eile é chun na críche sin, déanfar an t-am roimh theacht go dtí an stáisiún dó nó an t-am a mbeidh sé as láthair ón stáisiún lena linn, de réir mar a bheidh, a eisiamh nuair a bheidh tréimhse choinneála a cheadaítear leis an alt seo á ríomh.
(9) Chun amhras a sheachaint, dearbhaítear leis seo nach ndéanfar, in aon chás, duine atá á choinneáil de bhun fho-alt (2) i ndáil le cion a choimeád faoi choinneáil (cibé acu chun an cion sin nó cion eile a imscrúdu) tráth is faide ná dhá uair déag a chloig ón am a gabhadh é, gan aon tréimhse a áireamh atá le heisiamh faoi fho-alt (6) nó (8) nuair a bheidh tréimhse choinneála á ríomh.
(10) Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní san alt seo difear d'oibríocht alt 30 d'Acht 1939.
(11) Is cumhachtaí gan dochar d'aon chumhachtaí is infheidhmithe ag comhalta den Gharda Síochána i ndáil le cionta seachas cionta lena mbaineann an t-alt seo na cumhachtaí a thugtar leis an alt seo.
Teacht ar aturnae agus fógra faoi choinneáil.
5.—(1) I gcás ina gcoinneofar duine nach bhfuil faoi bhun seacht mbliana déag d'aois i stáisiún Garda Síochána de bhun alt 4, cuirfidh an comhalta den Gharda Síochána atá i gceannas an stáisiúin in iúl dó, nó cuirfidh sé faoi deara go gcuirfear in iúl dó, gan mhoill, go bhfuil sé i dteideal dul i gcomhairle le haturnae agus fógra faoina choinneáil agus faoin stáisiún ina bhfuil sé á choinneáil a chur chuig duine amháin eile a ainmneoidh sé go réasúnach agus déanfaidh an comhalta sin, ar iarratas a fháil, a chur faoi deara go gcuirfear sin in iúl dá réir sin a luaithe is féidir don aturnae agus don duine ainmnithe.
(2) I gcás ina gcoinneofar duine atá faoi bhun seacht mbliana déag d'aois i stáisiún Garda Síochána de bhun alt 4, déanfaidh an comhalta den Gharda Síochána atá i gceannas an stáisiúin—
(a) a chur in iúl dó, nó a chur faoi deara go gcuirfear in iúl dó, gan mhoill, go bhfuil sé i dteideal dul i gcomhairle le haturnae, agus
(b) a luaithe is féidir, a chur in iúl, nó a chur faoi deara go gcuirfear in iúl, do thuismitheoir nó do chaomhnóir de chuid an duine sin go bhfuil sé á choinneáil, cén áit a bhfuil sé á choinneáil agus go bhfuil teideal aige dul i gcomhairle le haturnae,
agus déanfaidh sé, ar iarratas a fháil, a chur faoi deara go gcuirfear sin in iúl dá réir sin don aturnae a luaithe is féidir:
Ar choinníoll—
(i) más duine pósta an duine atá á choinneáil, go mbeidh éifeacht leis an alt seo ach tagairtí dá chéile a chur in ionad na dtagairtí do thuismitheoir nó do chaomhnóir;
(ii) mura féidir leis an gcomhalta den Gharda Síochána atá i gceannas an stáisiúin scéala a chur chuig tuismitheoir nó caomhnóir de chuid an duine atá á choinneáil, ná chuig céile an duine sin, de réir mar a bheidh, go mbeidh feidhm le fo-alt (1) amhail is dá mbeadh seacht mbliana déag d'aois slánaithe ag an duine atá á choinneáil.
(3) Más rud é go bhfuil, agus fad atá, ag an gcomhalta den Gharda Síochána atá i gceannas an stáisiúin Gharda Síochána ina bhfuil duine á choinneáil de bhun alt 4, forais réasúnacha chun a chreidiúint nach bhfuil an duine faoi bhun seacht mbliana déag d'aois, beidh feidhm le forálacha fho-alt (1) amhail is dá mbeadh an aois sin aige.
Cumhachtaí an Gharda Síochána maidir le duine atá á choinneáil.
6.—(1) I gcás ina gcoinneofar duine de bhun alt 4, féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána—
(a) a ainm agus a sheoladh a éileamh air;
(b) é a chuardach nó a chur faoi deara é a chuardach;
(c) é a ghrianghrafadh nó a chur faoi deara é a ghrianghrafadh;
(d) a mhéarloirg agus loirg a dhearnana a thógáil nó a chur faoi deara iad a thógáil;
(e) aon tástáil a dhéanamh, nó a chur faoi deara í a dhéanamh, a bheidh ceaptha chun a fháil amach an raibh sé i dtadhall le haon arm tine (de réir bhrí Achtanna na nArm Tine, 1925 go 1971) nó le haon ábhar pléascach (de réir bhrí an Explosive Substances Act, 1883) agus chun na críche sin táithíní a thógáil óna chraiceann nó samplaí dá ghruaig a thógáil;
(f) aon ní a bheidh ina sheilbh aige a urghabháil agus a choinneáil lena thástáil.
(2) Ní fheidhmeofar na cumhachtaí a thugtar le fo-alt (1) (c) agus (1) (d) ach amháin ar údarás ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána nach ísle céim ná ceannfort.
(3) Ní chumhachtaítear le fo-alt (1) (b) do chomhalta den Gharda Síochána a cheangal ar dhuine a chuid fo-éadaí a bhaint de, ach amháin i gcás drochamhras a bheith ag an gcomhalta sin air, agus cúis réasúnach aige leis sin, go bhfuil druga rialaithe (de réir bhrí alt 2 den Acht um Mí-Úsáid Drugaí, 1977) nó ábhar pléascach i bhfolach ar a phearsa agus i gcás comhalta den Gharda Síochána nach ísle céim ná ceannfort é sin a údarú.
(4) Aon duine a choiscfidh aon chomhalta den Gharda Síochána nó aon duine eile, nó a fhéachfaidh lena chosc agus an comhalta sin nó an duine eile sin ag gníomhú faoi na cumhachtaí a thugtar le fo-alt (1), nó a loicfidh nó a dhiúltóidh a ainm agus a sheoladh a thabhairt nuair a éileofar sin, nó a thabharfaidh ainm nó seoladh bréagach nó míthreorach, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(5) Leasaítear leis seo alt 7 (2) den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil, 1976, trí “£1,000” a chur in ionad “£500” i mír (a) agus trí mhír (b) a scriosadh.
Rialacháin a bhaineann leis an mbail a chuirfear ar dhaoine faoi choimeád.
7.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire rialacháin lena ndéanfar foráil faoin mbail a chuirfear ar dhaoine faoi choimeád i stáisiúin Gharda Síochána.
(2) Beidh foráil sna rialacháin chun freagracht a shannadh don chomhalta i gceannas stáisiúin Gharda Síochána, nó do chomhalta éigin eile, as maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú na rialachán sa stáisiún sin, gan dochar do fhreagrachtaí agus do dhualgais aon chomhalta eile den Gharda Síochána.
(3) Má fhaillíonn aon chomhalta den Gharda Síochána déanamh de réir aon cheann d'fhorálacha na rialachán, ní fhágfaidh an fhaillí sin, uaithi féin, go ndlífear aon imeachtaí coiriúla nó sibhialta a thionscnamh i gcoinne an duine sin, ná ní dhéanfaidh sí difear, uaithi féin, do dhlíthiúlacht choimeád an duine atá á choinneáil ná d'inghlacthacht aon ráitis a dhéanfaidh sé i bhfianaise.
(4) Má dhéanann aon chomhalta den Gharda Síochána fáillí aon cheann d'fhorálacha na rialachán a chomhlíonadh fágfaidh an fhaillí sin go ndlífear imeachtaí araíonachta a thionscnamh ina choinne.
(5) Déanfar dréacht de gach rialachán a bheartaítear a dhéanamh faoin alt seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an rialachán go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag gach Teach acu sin.
Taifid a dhíothú.
8.—(1) Déanfar gach grianghraf (lena n-áirítear claonchló), méarlorg, agus lorg dearna duine a thógfar de bhun na gcumhachtaí a thugtar le halt 6 agus gach cóip agus taifead díobh a dhíothú, mura mbeidh siad díothaithe roimhe sin, de réir mar a ordaítear leis an alt seo.
(2) I gcás nach dtionscnófar imeachtaí i leith ciona lena mbaineann alt 4 i gcoinne an duine laistigh den tréimhse sé mhí ón dáta ar tógadh an grianghraf nó an lorg agus nach é is cúis leis an bhfaillí imeachtaí den sórt sin a thionscnamh gur éalaigh sé nó nach féidir teacht air, déanfar an díothú ag deireadh na tréimhse sin.
(3) I gcás ina mbeidh imeachtaí tionscanta amhlaidh agus go n-éigiontófar nó go scaoilfear an duine nó go scoirfear de na himeachtaí, déanfar an díothú tráth an éigiontaithe, an scaoilte nó an scoir.
(4) (a) I gcás ina mbeidh ordú déanta i leith duine faoi fho-alt (1) nó (2) d'alt 1 den Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, déanfar an díothú nuair a bheidh trí bliana caite ón dáta a ndearnadh an t-ordú ar choinníoll nach mbeidh sé cúisithe i leith ciona i rith na tréimhse sin.
(b) Ní bhainfidh mír (a) le hordú faoi alt 1 (2) den Acht sin a urscaoilfear ar achomharc ó dhuine i gcoinne ciontú má dhaingnítear an ciontú tar éis achomharc a dhéanamh.
(5) Beidh an duine lena mbaineann, a aturnae nó duine éigin eile a bheidh údaraithe i scríbhinn aige chun gníomhú thar a cheann i dteideal, ar iarratas a dhéanamh, bheith i láthair nuair a dhéanfar an díothú.
(6) I gcás ina dtionscnófar imeachtaí sibhialta roimh an tráth a cheanglaítear grianghraf nó lorg áirithe a dhíothú faoin alt seo agus go seirbheálfaidh páirtí sna himeachtaí fógra ar Choimisinéir an Gharda Síochána go bhféadfadh an grianghraf nó an lorg a bheith ag teastáil i ndáil leis na himeachtaí, ansin, d'ainneoin aon ní san alt seo, caomhnófar an grianghraf nó an lorg go ceann sé mhí ó chríoch na n-imeachtaí nó go dtí go gcríochnófar aon imeachtaí de dhroim achomhairc, cibé acu is déanaí.
(7) D'ainneoin aon ní sna forálacha sin roimhe seo den alt seo, féadfaidh breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche, ar iarratas ón Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí, a údarú go gcaomhnófar grianghraf nó lorg go ceann tréimhse nach faide ná sé mhí más deimhin leis go bhféadfadh an grianghraf nó an lorg a bheith ag teastáil chun críche imeachtaí eile maidir leis an gcion.
Feidhm maidir le daoine i gcoimeád faoi alt 30 den Acht um Chiontaí in aghaidh an Stáit, 1939.
9.—Beidh feidhm le hailt 4 (8), 5, 6 (2) agus 6 (3), fara na modhnuithe is gá, maidir le daoine i gcoimeád faoi alt 30 d'Acht 1939 agus maidir leis na cumhachtaí a thugtar le halt 7 den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil, 1976, amhail mar atá feidhm leo maidir le daoine atá á gcoinneáil de bhun alt 4 den Acht seo.
Athghabháil.
10.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfar duine a gabhadh, agus drochamhras air go ndearna sé cion, a choinneáil de bhun alt 4 agus go scaoilfear saor é gan aon chúiseamh a chur ina leith, ní dhéanfar—
(a) é a ghabháil arís i leith an chiona chéanna, nó
(b) é a ghabháil i leith aon chiona eile i gcás ina raibh, nó inar cheart le réasún go mbeadh, tráth na chéad ghabhála, drochamhras ag an gcomhalta den Gharda Síochána a ghabh é air go ndearna sé an cion eile sin,
ach amháin ar údarás ó bhreitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche ar deimhin leis, tar éis faisnéis a fháil faoi mhionn ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána nach ísle céim ná ceannfort, go bhfuil faisnéis bhreise faighte ag an nGarda Síochána, ó scaoileadh saor an duine, i ndáil le drochamhras a bheith ar an duine sin go raibh sé páirteach sa chion ar ina leith a lorgaítear é a ghabháil. Is de bhun alt 4 a dhéileálfar le duine a ghabhfar faoin údarás sin.
(2) D'ainneoin aon ní i bhfo-alt (1), féadfar duine lena mbaineann an fo-alt sin a ghabháil i leith aon chiona chun é a chúiseamh láithreach sa chion sin.
(3) I gcás ina scaoilfear saor duine a gabhadh faoi alt 30 d'Acht 1939 i ndáil le cion gan aon chúiseamh a chur ina leith, ní choinneofar é de bhun alt 4—
(a) i ndáil leis an gcion céadluaite, nó
(b) i ndáil le haon chion eile i gcás ina raibh, nó inar cheart le réasún go mbeadh, tráth a ghabhála i leith an chiona chéadluaite, drochamhras ag an gcomhalta den Gharda Síochána a ghabh é air go ndearna sé an cion eile sin.
Cionta a Dhéantar le linn bheith faoi Bhannaí agus Cionta eile
Cionta a dhéantar le linn bheith faoi bhannaí: pianbhreitheanna as a chéile.
11.—(1) Aon phianbhreith phríosúnachta a thabharfar ar dhuine mar gheall ar chion arna dhéanamh tar éis thosach feidhme an ailt seo le linn dó bheith faoi bhannaí, leanfaidh sí aon phianbhreith a thabharfar air mar gheall ar chion roimhe sin nó, má thugtar pianbhreith air mar gheall ar dhá chion roimhe sin nó níos mó, leanfaidh sí an phianbhreith is déanaí a bheidh le dul in éag, sa dóigh, áfach, má thugann an Chúirt Dúiche dhá phianbhreith nó níos mó as a chéile mar a cheanglaítear leis an alt seo, nach mó ná dhá bhliain an téarma iomlán príosúnachta i leith na bpianbhreitheanna sin as a chéile.
(2) Ní bheidh feidhm le fo-alt (1) i gcás inar pianbhreith phríosúnachta saoil nó pianbhreith choinneála faoi alt 103 den Children Act, 1908, aon phianbhreith den sórt sin.
(3) Beidh feidhm le fo-alt (1) d'ainneoin aon ní in alt 5 den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951.
Méadú ar théarma iomlán príosúnachta i gcásanna áirithe.
12.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 5 den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951 (lena ndéantar foráil nach mó ná dhá mhí dhéag an téarma iomlán príosúnachta in aon chás ina n-ordófar dhá phianbhreith nó níos mó, a thabharfaidh an Chúirt Dúiche, a bheith le leanúint as a chéile) trí “dhá bhliain” a chur in ionad “dhá mhí dhéag”. San alt sin folóidh “príosúntacht” coinneáil i bhForas Naomh Pádraig.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 13 (1) den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil, 1976 (lena ndéantar foráil i dtaobh pianbhreitheanna as a chéile i gcás cion a rinne duine le linn dó pianbhreith a chur isteach) trí “dhá bhliain” a chur in ionad “dhá mhí dhéag”.
Faillí géilleadh do bhannaí.
13.—(1) Má fhaillíonn duine a scaoileadh saor faoi bhannaí in imeachtaí coiriúla láithriú os comhair cúirte de réir a chúirtbhanna, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(2) In aon imeachtaí i leith ciona faoi fho-alt (1) is cosaint don chosantóir a shuíomh go raibh leithscéal réasúnach aige gan láithriú amhlaidh.
(3) Chun críche alt 11 áireofar cion faoin alt seo mar chion a dhéantar le linn bheith faoi bhannaí.
(4) I gcás ina bhfailleoidh duine láithriú os comhair cúirte de réir a bhannaí agus go mbeidh ordú tugtha ag an gcúirt go n-eiseofar barántas chun an duine sin a ghabháil de thairbhe gur fhailligh sé déanamh de réir a bhannaí, féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána duine den sórt sin a ghabháil d'ainneoin nach bhfuil an barántas ina sheilbh aige tráth na gabhála.
(5) I gcás ina ngabhfar duine de bhun fho-alt (4) déanfaidh an comhalta a bheidh á ghabháil an barántas sin a thabhairt ar aird agus a sheirbheáil, a luaithe is féidir, ar an duine sin.
Méadú ar phionóis i leith cionta arm tine áirithe.
14.—(1) Leasaítear leis seo alt 15 d'Acht na nArm Teine, 1925, arna leasú le halt 21 (4) den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil (Dlínse), 1976 (seilbh ar arm tine nó lón lámhaigh le hintinn duine a chur i gcontúirt bháis nó díobháil mhór a dhéanamh do mhaoin) trí “príosúnacht saoil a chur air” a chur in ionad “é chur i bpríosún ar feadh téarma nach faide ná ceithre bliana déag”.
(2) Leasaítear leis seo alt 26 (1) d'Acht na nArm Tine, 1964, arna leasú le halt 21 (6) (b) den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil (Dlínse), 1976 (arm tine a bheith ag duine agus é ag tógáil feithicle gan údarás) trí “ceithre bliana déag” a chur in ionad “seacht mbliana”.
(3) Leasaítear leis seo alt 27 (2) d'Acht na nArm Tine, 1964, arna leasú le halt 21 (6) (c) den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil (Dlínse), 1976 (arm tine a úsáid chun comhrac in aghaidh gabhála nó cabhrú le héalú) trí “príosúnacht saoil” a chur in ionad “príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná ceithre bliana déag”.
(4) Leasaítear leis seo alt 27A (1) d'Acht na nArm Tine, 1964, a cuireadh isteach le halt 8 den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil (Dlínse), 1976 (arm tine nó lón lámhaigh a shealbhú in imthosca amhrasacha) trí “deich mbliana” a chur in ionad “cúig bliana”.
(5) Leasaítear leis seo alt 27B (1) d'Acht na nArm Tine, 1964, a cuireadh isteach le halt 9 den Acht um an Dlí Coiriúil (Dlínse), 1976 (arm tine a iompar le hintinn choiriúil) trí “ceithre bliana déag” a chur in ionad “deich mbliana”.
Faisnéis maidir le hairm thine nó lón lámhaigh a cheilt.
15.—(1) Féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána, i gcás—
(a) ina bhfaighidh sé duine i seilbh aon airm thine nó lóin lámhaigh,
(b) forais réasúnacha a bheith aige chun a chreidiúint go bhfuil an duine i seilbh an airm thine nó an lóin lámhaigh de shárú ar an dlí coiriúil, agus
(c) ina gcuirfidh se iul don duine sin go gcreideann se amhlaidh.
a cheangal ar an duine sin aon fhaisnéis a thabhairt dó atá aige, nó is féidir leis a fháil trí bhearta réasúnacha a dhéanamh, i dtaobh an dóigh ina bhfuair sé an t-arm tine nó an lón lámhaigh agus i dtaobh aon bhaint a bhí aige féin nó ag aon duine eile leis roimhe sin.
(2) Más rud é go bhfailleoidh nó go ndiúltóidh an duine sin, gan leithscéal réasúnach, an fhaisnéis a thabhairt nó go dtabharfaidh sé faisnéis is eol dó bheith bréagach nó míthreorach, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(3) Ní bheidh éifeacht le fo-alt (2) mura rud é gur inis an comhalta den Gharda Síochána don chúisí i ngnáthchaint, an tráth ar ceanglaíodh air an fhaisnéis a thabhairt, cén éifeacht a d'fhéadfadh a bheith lena fhaillí nó lena dhiúltú.
(4) Ní bheidh aon fhaisnéis a thabharfaidh duine de réir ceanglais faoi fho-alt (1) inghlactha i bhfianaise i gcoinne an duine sin ná a chéile in aon imeachtaí sibhialta nó imeachtaí coiriúla seachas imeachtaí i leith ciona faoi fho-alt (2).
Faisnéis maidir le maoin ghoidte, etc. a cheilt.
16.—(1) Féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána, i gcás—
(a) forais réasúnacha a bheith aige chun a chreidiúint go ndearnadh cion arbh é a bhí ann airgead nó maoin eile a ghoid, a chomhshó go calaoiseach, a chlaonchasadh nó a fháil nó a ghlacadh go neamhdhleathach,
(b) ina bhfaighidh sé aon duine i seilbh aon mhaoine,
(c) forais réasúnacha a bheith aige chun a chreidiúint go n-áirítear sa mhaoin dá dtagraítear i mír (b), nó go bhféadfaí a áireamh inti, an mhaoin dá dtagraítear i mír (a) nó cuid di, nó fáltais iomlána nó aon chuid d'fháltais na maoine sin nó na coda sin di, agus
(d) ina gcuirfidh sé in iúl don duine sin go gcreideann sé amhlaidh,
a cheangal ar an duine sin cuntas a thabhairt dó i dtaobh an dóigh ina bhfuair sé an mhaoin.
(2) Más rud é go bhfailleoidh nó go ndiúltóidh an duine sin, gan leithscéal réasúnach, an cuntas sin a thabhairt nó go dtabharfaidh sé faisnéis is eol dó bheith bréagach nó míthreorach, beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag, nó iad araon, a chur air.
(3) Ní bheidh éifeacht le fo-alt (2) mura rud é gur inis an comhalta den Gharda Síochána don chúisí i ngnáthchaint, an tráth ar ceanglaíodh air an cuntas a thabhairt, cén éifeacht a d'fhéadfadh a bheith leis an bhfaillí nó leis an diúltú.
(4) Ní bheidh aon fhaisnéis a thabharfaidh duine de réir ceanglais faoi fho-alt (1) inghlactha i bhfianaise i gcoinne an duine sin ná a chéile in aon imeachtaí sibhialta nó imeachtaí cóiriúla seachas imeachtaí i leith ciona faoi fho-alt (2).
Fíneáil uasta ar dhuine a chiontú go hachomair i gcionta indíotáilte áirithe.
17.—Leasaítear leis seo alt 4 (1) den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951, agus alt 13 (3) (a) den Acht um Nós Imeachta Coiriúil, 1967 (a ndéantar foráil leo araon le haghaidh fíneáil uasta £100 ar dhuine a chiontú go hachomair i gcionta indíotáilte áirithe) trí “£1,000” a chur in ionad “céad punt” san fhoráil chéadluaite agus in ionad “£100” san fhoráil is deireanaí atá luaite.
Tátail as Faillí an Chúisí Cuntas a Thabhairt i dtaobh Ábhar Áirithe
Tátail as faillí, diúltú cuntas a thabhairt i dtaobh rudaí, marcanna, etc.
18.—(1) I gcás—
(a) ina ndéanfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána duine a ghabháil gan bharántas agus go mbeidh—
(i) ar phearsa an duine, nó
(ii) ina chuid éadaí nó orthu nó ina choisbheart nó air, nó
(iii) ina sheilbh ar dhóigh eile, nó
(iv) in aon áit ina bhfuil sé tráth a ghabhála,
aon rud, substaint nó marc, nó go mbeidh aon mharc ar aon rud den sórt sin, agus go gcreidfidh an comhalta le réasún gurb é is cúis leis an rud, an tsubstaint nó an marc a bheith ann an duine a gabhadh a bheith páirteach i ndéanamh an chiona ar ina leith a gabhadh é, agus
(b) ina gcuirfidh an comhalta in iúl don duine a gabhadh go gcreideann sé amhlaidh, agus go n-iarrfaidh sé air cuntas a thabhairt i dtaobh an rud, an tsubstaint nó an marc a bheith ann, agus
(c) ina bhfailleoidh nó ina ndiúltóidh an duine déanamh amhlaidh,
ansin más rud é, in aon imeachtaí i gcoinne an duine i leith an chiona, go dtabharfar fianaise ar na hábhair a dúradh, féadfar cibé tátail is cuí a bhaint as an bhfaillí nó an diúltú le linn don chúirt a bheith á chinneadh an gcuirfear an cúisí ar aghaidh chun trialach nó an bhfuil cás ann le freagairt agus le linn don chúirt (nó, faoi réir orduithe an bhreithimh, don ghiúiré) bheith á chinneadh an bhfuil an cúisí ciontach sa chion inar cúisíodh é (nó in aon chion eile a bhféadfaí é a chiontú go dleathach ann ar an gcúiseamh sin); agus féadfar déileáil leis an bhfaillí nó an diúltú, ar bhonn na dtátal sin, mar chomhthacaíocht, nó mar ní a d'fhéadfadh bheith ina chomhthacaíocht, le haon fhianaise eile ar i ndáil léi atá an fhaillí nó an diúltú ábhartha, ach ní chiontófar duine i gcion mar gheall ar thátal, agus mar gheall air sin amháin, a bhainfear as faillí nó diúltú den sórt sin.
(2) Measfar, i ndáil le réamhscrúdú ar chúiseamh, go bhfolaíonn tagairtí i bhfo-alt (1) d'fhianaise, ráiteas ar an bhfianaise a thabharfaidh finné ag an triail.
(3) Beidh feidhm le fo-alt (1) maidir le riocht na n-éadaí nó an choisbhirt mar atá feidhm leis maidir le substaint nó marc ar an gcéanna.
(4) Ní bheidh éifeacht le fo-alt (1) mura rud é gur inis an comhalta den Gharda Síochána don chúisí i ngnáthchaint, le linn dó an iarraidh a dhéanamh atá luaite i bhfo-alt (1) (b), cén éifeacht a d'fhéadfadh a bheith leis an bhfaillí nó leis an diúltú.
(5) Ní mheasfar go gcuireann aon ní san alt seo cosc ar aon tátal a bhaint as faillí nó diúltú cuntas a thabhairt ar rud, substaint nó marc a bheith ann nó as riocht éadaí nó coisbhirt ar tátal é a d'fhéadfaí a bhaint as go cuí ar leith ón alt seo.
(6) Ní bheidh feidhm leis an alt seo maidir le faillí nó diúltú má tharla an fhaillí nó an diúltú roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo.
Tátail as an gcúisí a bheith i láthair in áit áirithe.
19.—(1) I gcás—
(a) ina bhfuair comhalta den Gharda Síochána duine, a ghabh sé gan bharántas, in áit áirithe an tráth nó gar don tráth a líomhnaítear go ndearnadh an cion ar ina leith a gabhadh é, agus
(b) ina gcreidfidh an comhalta le réasún gurb é is cúis leis an duine a bheith i láthair san áit sin agus an tráth sin é a bheith páirteach i ndéanamh an chiona, agus
(c) ina gcuirfidh an comhalta in iúl don duine go gcreideann sé amhlaidh, agus ina n-iarrfaidh sé air cuntas a thabhairt ar é a bheith i láthair amhlaidh, agus
(d) ina bhfailleoidh nó ina ndiúltóidh an duine déanamh amhlaidh,
ansin más rud é, in aon imeachtaí i gcoinne an duine i leith an chiona, go dtabharfar fianaise ar na hábhair a dúradh, féadfar cibé tátail is cuí a bhaint as an bhfaillí nó an diúltú le linn don chúirt a bheith á chinneadh an gcuirfear an cúisí ar aghaidh chun trialach nó an bhfuil cás ann le freagairt agus le linn don chúirt (nó, faoi réir orduithe an bhreithimh, don ghiúiré) bheith á chinneadh an bhfuil an cúisí ciontach sa chion inar cúisíodh é (nó in aon chion eile a bhféadfaí é a chiontú go dleathach ann ar an gcúiseamh sin); agus féadfar déileáil leis an bhfaillí nó an diúltú, ar bhonn na dtátal sin, mar chomhthacaíocht, nó mar ní a d'fhéadfadh bheith ina chomhthacaíocht, le haon fhianaise eile ar i ndáil léi atá an fhaillí nó an diúltú ábhartha, ach ní chiontófar duine i gcion mar gheall ar thátal, agus mar gheall air sin amháin, a bhainfear as faillí nó diúltú den sórt sin.
(2) Measfar, i ndáil le réamhscrúdú ar chúiseamh, go bhfolaíonn tagairtí i bhfo-alt (1) d'fhianaise, ráiteas ar an bhfianaise a thabharfaidh finné ag an triail.
(3) Ní bheidh éifeacht le fo-alt (1) mura rud é gur inis an comhalta den Gharda Síochána don chúisí i ngnáthchaint, le linn dó an iarraidh a dhéanamh atá luaite i bhfo-alt (1) (c), cén éifeacht a d'fhéadfadh a bheith leis an bhfaillí nó leis an diúltú.
(4) Ní mheasfar go gcuireann aon ní san alt seo cosc ar aon tátal a bhaint as duine d'fhaillí nó do dhiúltú cuntas a thabhairt ar é féin a bheith i láthair ar tátal é a d'fhéadfaí a bhaint as go cuí ar leith ón alt seo.
(5) Ní bheidh feidhm leis an alt seo maidir le faillí nó diúltú má tharla an fhaillí nó an diúltú roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo.
Nós Imeachta Trialach
Fógra i dtaobh alibi i dtrialacha ar díotáil.
20.—(1) Ní dhéanfaidh an cúisí, gan chead ón gcúirt, i dtriail ar díotáil i leith ciona arna dhéanamh tar éis thosach feidhme an ailt seo, fianaise ag tacú le alibi a thabhairt ar aird mura rud é, roimh dheireadh na tréimhse forordaithe, go dtabharfaidh sé fógra i dtaobh shonraí an alibi.
(2) Gan dochar d'fho-alt (1) ní iarrfaidh an cúisí, gan chead ón gcúirt, in aon triail den sórt sin, ar aon duine eile (dá ngairtear an finné san alt seo) fianaise den sórt sin a thabhairt mura rud é—
(a) go mbeidh ar áireamh san fhógra faoin bhfo-alt sin ainm agus seoladh an fhinné nó, mura mbeidh an t-ainm ná an seoladh ar eolas ag an gcúisí an tráth a thabharfaidh sé an fógra, aon fhaisnéis a bheidh ina sheilbh a d'fhéadfadh bheith ina cabhair ábhartha chun an finné a fháil,
(b) i gcás nach mbeidh an t-ainm nó an seoladh ar áireamh san fhógra sin, gur deimhin leis an gcúirt go ndearna an cúisí, roimh an bhfógra a thabhairt, gach beart réasúnach a ghlacadh agus gur lean sé dá nglacadh ina dhiaidh sin lena áirithiú go bhfaighfí amach an t-ainm nó an seoladh,
(c) i gcás nach mbeidh an t-ainm nó an seoladh ar áireamh san fhógra sin, ach, ina dhiaidh sin, go dtiocfaidh an cúisí ar an ainm nó ar an seoladh nó go bhfaighidh sé faisnéis eile a d'fhéadfadh bheith ina cabhair ábhartha chun an finné a fháil, go dtabharfaidh sé, láithreach, fógra faoin ainm, faoin seoladh nó faoin bhfaisnéis eile, de réir mar a bheidh. agus
(d) i gcás fógra a bheith tugtha don chúisí ag an ionchúiseamh, nó thar a cheann, nach bhfuarthas an finné faoin ainm ná ag an seoladh a tugadh, go dtabharfaidh sé fógra láithreach faoi aon fhaisnéis den sórt sin a bheidh ina sheilbh an tráth sin nó, ar aon fhaisnéis den sórt sin a fháil ina dhiaidh sin, go dtabharfaidh sé fógra fúithi láithreach.
(3) Ní dhiúltóidh an chúirt cead a thabhairt faoin alt seo má dhealraíonn sé don chúirt nach raibh ceanglais an ailt seo curtha in iúl don chúisí—
(a) ag an gCúirt Dúiche an tráth a cuireadh ar aghaidh chun trialach é, nó
(b) ag cúirt na trialach an tráth a d'athraigh sé a phléadáil chuig pléadáil neamhchiontach tar éis é bheith curtha ar aghaidh i gcomhair pianbhreithe, nó
(c) i gcás inar tugadh os comhair Cúirte Coiriúla Speisialta é lena thriail faoi alt 47 d'Acht 1939, ag an gCúirt an tráth a shocraigh sí dáta na trialach.
(4) Aon fhianaise a fhorthairgfear chun alibi a bhréagnú féadfar í a thabhairt sula dtabharfar fianaise ag tacú leis an alibi nó ina dhiaidh sin, ach sin faoi réir aon orduithe ón gcúirt maidir leis an am a thabharfar í.
(5) Aon fhógra a airbheartaíonn a bheith tugtha faoin alt seo thar ceann an chúisí ag a aturnae, measfar é a bheith tugtha le húdarás an chúisí mura gcruthófar a mhalairt.
(6) Tabharfar fógra faoi fho-alt (1) sa chúirt i rith, nó ag deireadh, an réamhscrúdaithe ar an gcion lena mbaineann nó tabharfar i scríbhinn é d'aturnae an ionchúisimh, agus tabharfar fógra faoi mhír (c) nó (d) d'fho-alt (2) i scríbhinn don aturnae sin.
(7) Féadfar fógra a cheanglaítear a thabhairt leis an alt seo d'aturnae an ionchúisimh a thabhairt trína sheachadadh air nó trína fhágáil ag a oifig nó trína chur chuige leis an bpost cláraithe ag a oifig.
(8) San alt seo—
ciallaíonn “fianaise ag tacú le alibi” fianaise a d'fhéadfadh a thaispeáint, de dheasca an cúisí a bheith i láthair in áit áirithe nó i limistéar áirithe tráth áirithe, nach raibh sé, nó nár dhóigh dó a bheith, san áit a líomhnaítear go ndearnadh an cion inti an tráth a líomhnaítear go ndearnadh an cion;
ciallaíonn “an tréimhse fhorordaithe”—
(a) an tréimhse ceithre lá dhéag ó dheireadh an réamhscrúdaithe dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (6), nó
(b) i gcás ina dtarscaoilfidh an cúisí réamhscrúdú, an tréimhse ceithre lá dhéag ó dháta an tarscaoilte, nó
(c) i gcás ina ndéanfaidh an cúisí, tar éis é a chur ar aghaidh i gcomhair pianbhreithe, a phléadáil a athrú chuig pléadáil neamhchiontach, an tréimhse ceithre lá dhéag ón dáta a ndéanann sé amhlaidh, nó
(d) i gcás ina dtabharfar an cúisí os comhair Cúirte Coiriúla Speisialta lena thriail faoi alt 47 d'Acht 1939, cibé tréimhse a shocróidh an Chúirt le linn don Chúirt dáta na trialach a shocrú.
Cruthúnas trí ráiteas scríofa.
21.—(1) In aon imeachtaí in aghaidh duine i leith ciona, seachas an réamhscrúdú ar chion indíotáilte, beidh ráiteas scríofa a dhéanfaidh aon duine, má chomhlíontar cibé acu de na coinníollacha a luaitear i bhfo-alt (2) agus atá infheidhme, inghlactha mar fhianaise sa mhéid céanna gurb inghlactha fianaise béil sa chéill chéanna ón duine sin.
(2) Is iad na coinníollacha sin:
(a) go n-airbheartaíonn an ráiteas a bheith sínithe ag an duine a rinne é;
(b) go bhfuil sa ráiteas dearbhú ón duine sin sa chéill gur fíor é de réir mar is fearr is eol dó agus mar a chreideann sé agus go ndearna sé an ráiteas agus fios aige, i gcás ina bhforthairgfí i bhfianaise é, go ndlífí é a ionchúiseamh dá luafadh sé aon ní ann ab eol dó bheith bréagach nó nár chreid sé a bheith fíor;
(c) go seirbheálfaidh an páirtí a bheartaíonn an ráiteas a fhorthairiscint i bhfianaise cóip de, nó go seirbheálfar thar a cheann í, ar gach páirtí de na páirtithe eile sna himeachtaí; agus
(d) nach ndéanfaidh aon pháirtí de na páirtithe eile ná a n-aturnaetha, laistigh de lá is fiche ón gcóip den ráiteas a sheirbheáil, fógra a sheirbheáil ar an bpáirtí a bheartaíonn amhlaidh ag agóid i gcoinne an ráiteas a fhorthairiscint i bhfianaise faoin alt seo.
(3) Ní bheidh feidhm leis na coinníollacha atá luaite i míreanna (c) agus (d) d'fho-alt (2) más rud é go n-aontóidh na páirtithe ag an éisteacht nó go n-aontóidh na páirtithe nó a n-aturnaetha roimh an éisteacht go bhforthairgfear an ráiteas amhlaidh.
(4) Beidh éifeacht leis na coinníollacha seo a leanas freisin i ndáil le haon ráiteas scríofa a fhorthairgfear i bhfianaise faoin alt seo:
(a) más duine faoi bhun bliain is fiche d'aois a dhéanfaidh an ráiteas, luafar a aois ann;
(b) más duine nach féidir leis é a léamh a dhéanfaidh é, léifear dó é sula síneoidh sé é agus beidh ina theannta dearbhú ón duine a léigh an ráiteas amhlaidh sa chéill gur léadh amhlaidh é; agus
(c) má thagraíonn sé d'aon doiciméad eile mar fhoilseán, beidh i dteannta na cóipe a sheirbheálfar ar aon pháirtí eile sna himeachtaí faoi fho-alt (2) (c) cóip den doiciméad sin nó cibé faisnéis is gá chun a chumasú don pháirtí ar a seirbheálfar í an doiciméad sin nó cóip de a iniúchadh.
(5) D'ainneoin gurb inghlactha mar fhianaise, de bhua an ailt seo, ráiteas scríofa a dhéanfaidh aon duine—
(a) féadfaidh an páirtí a sheirbheáil cóip den ráiteas, nó ar seirbheáladh thar a cheann í, an duine sin a ghlaoch chun fianaise a thabhairt, agus
(b) féadfaidh an chúirt, ar fhoriarratas uaithi féin nó ar iarratas ó aon pháirtí sna himeachtaí, a cheangal ar an duine sin freastal os comhair na cúirte agus fianaise a thabhairt.
(6) Féadfar iarratas faoi fho-alt (5) (b) a dhéanamh roimh an éisteacht i gcás ina bhfuil na himeachtaí á seoladh sa Phríomh-Chúirt Choiriúil, sa Chúirt Chuarda nó sa Chúirt Choiriúil Speisialta agus, chun na críche sin, beidh cumhachtaí na Príomh-Chúirte Coiriúla infheidhmithe ag aon bhreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt agus beidh cumhachtaí na Cúirte Cuarda infheidhmithe ag aon bhreitheamh den chúirt sin.
(7) Déanfar cibé méid d'aon ráiteas a ghlacfar mar fhianaise de bhua an ailt seo, mura n-ordóidh an chúirt a mhalairt, a léamh os ard ag an éisteacht.
(8) Déileálfar le haon doiciméad nó rud dá dtagraítear mar fhoilseán agus a aithnítear i ráiteas scríofa a fhorthairgfear i bhfianaise faoin alt seo amhail is dá dtabharfaí ar aird é mar fhoilseán agus dá n-aithneodh déantóir an ráitis é sa chúirt.
(9) Féadfar, faoi réir fho-alt (10), doiciméad a cheanglaítear a sheirbheáil leis an alt seo ar aon duine a sheirbheáil—
(a) trína sheachadadh air nó ar a aturnae,
(b) trína dhíriú chuige agus trína fhágáil ag a ghnáth-áit chónaithe nó ag an áit chónaithe dheireanach is eol a bheith aige nó ag a ghnáth-áit ghnó nó ag an áit ghnó dheireanach is eol a bheith aige nó trína dhíriú chuig a aturnae agus trína fhágáil ag oifig an aturnae,
(c) trína chur chuige leis an bpost cláraithe ag a ghnáth-áit chónaithe nó ag an áit chónaithe dheireanach is eol a bheith aige nó ag a ghnáth-áit ghnó nó ag an áit ghnó dheireanach is eol a bheith aige nó chuig a aturnae ag oifig an aturnae, nó
(d) i gcás comhlachta chorpraithe, trína sheachadadh ar rúnaí nó cléireach an chomhlachta ag a oifig chláraithe nó ag a phríomh-oifig nó trína chur leis an bpost cláraithe chuig rúnaí nó cléireach an chomhlachta sin ag an oifig sin.
(10) Mura mbeidh aturnae ag feidhmiú ar son cúisí, déanfar doiciméad a cheanglaítear a sheirbheáil leis an alt seo ar an gcúisí a sheirbheáil ar an gcúisí go pearsanta.
(11) Más rud é—
(a) go bhforthairgfear ráiteas i bhfianaise de bhua an ailt seo, agus
(b) go mbeidh aon ní ab eol dó bheith bréagach nó nár chreid sé bheith fíor luaite ann ag an duine a rinne an ráiteas,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag nó iad araon a chur air nó dlífear, ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £2,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná cúig bliana nó iad araon a chur air.
(12) Beidh feidhm leis an alt seo freisin maidir le ráiteas scríofa arna dhéanamh lasmuigh den Stát ach na focail i bhfo-alt (2) (b) ó “agus go ndearna sé an ráiteas” go dtí deireadh na míre a fhágáil ar lár agus fo-alt (11) a fhágáil ar lár.
Cruthúnas trí admháil fhoirmiúil.
22.—(1) Faoi réir fhorálacha an ailt seo, féadfaidh an t-ionchúiseamh nó an cúisí aon fhíoras a bhféadfar fianaise béil a thabhairt ina thaobh in aon imeachtaí coiriúla a admháil chun críche na n-imeachtaí sin nó féadfar admháil den sórt sin a dhéanamh thar ceann an ionchúisimh nó an chúisí, agus má admhaíonn aon pháirtí aon fhíoras den sórt sin faoin alt seo beidh an admháil sin ina fianaise dhochloíte amhail i gcoinne an pháirtí sin ar an bhfíoras a admhaíodh sna himeachtaí sin.
(2) Maidir le hadmháil faoin alt seo—
(a) féadfar í a dhéanamh roimh an éisteacht nó ag an éisteacht,
(b) más i slí seachas sa chúirt a dhéanfar í, beidh sí i scríbhinn,
(c) más pearsa aonair a dhéanfaidh i scríbhinn í, síneoidh an duine a mbeidh sí á déanamh aige í agus más comhlacht corpraithe a dhéanfaidh amhlaidh í, síneoidh stiúrthóir nó bainisteoir de chuid an chomhlachta chorpraithe í, nó síneoidh rúnaí nó cléireach an chomhlachta chorpraithe í nó síneoidh oifigeach eile dá samhail sin don chomhlacht corpraithe í,
(d) más thar ceann cúisí is pearsa aonair a dhéanfar í, is é a abhcóide nó a aturnae a dhéanfaidh í,
(e) más cúisí is pearsa aonair a dhéanfaidh í aon tráth roimh an éisteacht, ní mór dá abhcóide nó dá aturnae í a cheadú tráth a déanta nó ina dhiaidh sin,
agus measfar, mura suífear a mhalairt, maidir le haon síniú dá dtagraítear i mír (c), gurb é síniú an duine é a ndealraíonn sé gurb é a shíniú é.
(3) Déileálfar le hadmháil faoin alt seo chun críche imeachtaí a bhaineann le haon ábhar mar admháil chun críche aon imeachtaí coiriúla ina dhiaidh sin a bhaineann leis an ábhar sin (lena n-áirítear aon achomharc nó atriail).
(4) Féadfar, le cead ón gcúirt, admháil faoin alt seo a tharraingt siar sna himeachtaí ar lena n-aghaidh a dhéanfar í nó in aon imeachtaí coiriúla ina dhiaidh sin a bhaineann leis an ábhar céanna.
Neamhniú ar cheart an chúisí ráiteas neamh-mhionnaithe a dhéanamh.
23.—(1) In aon imeachtaí i gcoinne duine i leith ciona ní bheidh an cúisí i dteideal ráiteas a dhéanamh gan dul faoi mhionn agus, dá réir sin, má thugann sé fianaise, déanfaidh sé amhlaidh faoi mhionn agus féadfar é a chroscheistiú, ach ní dhéanfaidh sé sin difear—
(a) do cheart an chúisí, mura mbeidh abhcóide nó aturnae ag feidhmiú ar a shon, an chúirt nó an giúiré a aitheasc i slí seachas faoi mhionn i dtaobh aon ábhair ar ina thaobh a d'fhéadfadh a abhcóide nó a aturnae an chúirt nó an giúiré a aitheasc thar a cheann, dá mbeadh abhcóide nó aturnae aige,
(b) d'aon triail, nó do réamhscrúdú ar aon chion indíotáilte, a bheidh tosaithe roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo.
(2) Ní choiscfidh aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) an cúisí ó ráiteas a dhéanamh gan dul faoi mhionn—
(a) más ráiteas é a cheanglaítear le dlí air a dhéanamh go pearsanta, nó
(b) má dhéanann sé é mar mhaolú sula gcuireann an chúirt pianbhreith air.
(3) Aisghairtear leis seo na forálacha seo a leanas:
(a) mír (h) den choinníoll a ghabhann le halt 1 den Acht Breithiúnais Choiriúla (Fianaise), 1924, agus
(b) alt 7 (4) den Acht um Nós Imeachta Coiriúil, 1967, agus, in alt 8 (2) den Acht sin, na focail ó “rachaidh sé ar aghaidh de réir” go dtí “mír (a),”.
Ord na n-óráidí deiridh.
24.—(1) D'ainneoin aon riail dlí nó aon chleachtais, agus d'ainneoin aon ní atá in alt 2 den Criminal Procedure Act, 1865, is mar a leanas a bheidh an nós imeachta ag triail ar díotáil maidir leis na hóráidí deiridh ar son an ionchúisimh agus ar son na cosanta:
(a) beidh an ceart ag an ionchúiseamh óráid deiridh a thabhairt i ngach cás ach amháin i gcás nach mbeidh abhcóide ná aturnae ag feidhmiú ar son an chúisí agus nach nglaofaidh sé aon fhinné (seachas finné carachtair amháin), agus beidh an ceart ag an gcosaint óráid deiridh a thabhairt i ngach cás, agus
(b) tabharfar an óráid deiridh ar son na cosanta tar éis na hóráide deiridh ar son an ionchúisimh.
(2) Aisghairtear leis seo alt 3 den Acht Breithiúnais Choiriúla (Fianaise), 1924.
Fíoraisc thromlaigh.
25.—(1) Ní gá gur fíorasc d'aon ghuth fíorasc giúiré in imeachtaí coiriúla i gcás nach lú ná aon duine dhéag líon na ngiúróirí má aontaíonn deichniúr acu faoin bhfíorasc.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh an chúirt le fíorasc ciontachta mura mbeidh sé ráite ag an bpríomhghiúróir i gcúirt oscailte cibé acu is fíorasc d'aon ghuth é nó is fíorasc tromlaigh é de réir fho-alt (1) agus, sa chás is deireanaí atá luaite, céard é líon na ngiúróirí a d'aontaigh leis an bhfíorasc.
(3) Ní ghlacfaidh an chúirt le fíorasc de bhua fho-alt (1) mura léir don chúirt go raibh ag an ngiúiré cibé tréimhse chun machnamh a dhéanamh is réasúnach leis an gcúirt ag féachaint do chineál agus do chastacht an cháis; agus ní ghlacfaidh an chúirt, in aon chás, le fíorasc den sórt sin mura léir don chúirt go raibh dhá uair a chloig ar a laghad ag an ngiúiré chun machnamh a dhéanamh.
(4) Cuirfidh an chúirt faoi deara an fíorasc a thógáil i slí nach ndéarfar, más fíorasc neamhchiontachta an fíorasc, arbh fhíorasc d'aon ghuth nó fíorasc tromlaigh é.
(5) Ní dhéanfaidh an t-alt seo difear do thriail aon chiona ar ina leith a cheanglaítear ar an gcúirt, ar an gcúisí a chiontú, pionós báis a ghearradh air nó d'aon triail a bheidh tosaithe roimh thosach feidhme an ailt seo.
Iighnéitheach
Imeachtaí tar éis gabhála.
26.—Cuirfear an t-alt seo a leanas in ionad alt 15 den Acht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1951:
“15.—(1) Duine a ghabhfar de bhun barántais, déanfar, ar é a ghabháil, é a thabhairt os comhair breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche ag a mbeidh dlínse chun déileáil leis an gcion lena mbaineann nó, mura mbeidh breitheamh ar fáil láithreach, os comhair feidhmeannaigh shíochána i ndúiche bhreithimh den sórt sin a luaithe is féidir.
(2) Duine a ghabhfar gan bharántas, déanfar, ar é a chúiseamh i gcion, é a thabhairt os comhair breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche ag a mbeidh dlínse chun déileáil leis an gcion nó, mura mbeidh breitheamh ar fáil láithreach, os comhair feidhmeannaigh shíochána i ndúiche bhreithimh den sórt sin a luaithe is féidir.
(3) I gcás ina ngabhfar duine de bhun barántais tráth is déanaí ná a 10 a chlog aon tráthnóna nó, ar é a bheidh gafa gan bharántas, i gcás ina gcúiseofar é tar éis an ama sin agus go mbeidh breitheamh le suí sa dúiche Cúirte Dúiche inar gabhadh an duine tráth nach déanaí ná meán lae an lá dár gcionn, is leorchomhlíonadh ar fho-alt (1) nó (2), de réir mar a bheidh, é a thabhairt os comhair breithimh ag tosach an tsuí.
(4) Má thugtar an duine os comhair feidhmeannaigh shíochána, déanfaidh an feidhmeannach, tar éis dó an fhianaise a thabharfar a éisteacht, é a athchur, i gcoimeád nó faoi cibé bannaí is oiriúnach leis an bhfeidhmeannach, agus an cás a tharchur chun a éisteachta os comhair breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche ag a mbeidh dlínse chun déileáil leis.
(5) Má dhéantar an cúisí a athchur faoi bhannaí agus go bhfaighidh sé bannaí láithreach bonn, tarchuirfear an cás chun an chéad suí eile den chúirt.
(6) In aon chúinsí eile, tarchuirfear an cás chun suí den chúirt a bheidh ann, laistigh d'ocht lá tar éis na gabhála, in áit a ainmneofar.
(7) Is alt gan dochar d'fhorálacha aon achtacháin a bhaineann le himeachtaí tar éis gabháil nó cúiseamh i gcásanna áirithe an t-alt seo.”.
Taifeadadh leictreonach ar cheistiú.
27.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire Dlí agus Cirt, le rialacháin, socrú a dhéanamh i dtaobh taifeadadh a dhéanamh trí mheán leictreonach nó trí mheán eile ar cheistiú daoine ag comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána i stáisiúin Gharda Síochána nó in áiteanna eile i ndáil le cionta a imscrúdú.
(2) Féadfar na rialacháin a dhéanamh ionas go mbeidh feidhm leo i gcoitinne nó maidir le ceistiú i cibé áiteanna, cibé méid, i ndáil le cibé cionta nó i cibé imthosca, a bheidh forordaithe iontu.
(3) Beidh sna rialacháin foráil i dtaobh gach taifeadadh a dhéanfar de réir na rialachán a choimeád go ceann cibé tréimhse agus i cibé slí a bheidh forordaithe iontu.
(4) Má fhaillíonn duine foráil de chuid na rialachán a chomhlíonadh, ní fhágfaidh an fhaillí sin, uaithi féin, go ndlífear aon imeachtaí sibhialta nó coiriúla a thionscnamh i gcoinne an duine, agus (gan dochar do chumhacht na cúirte fianaise a eisiamh dá rogha féin) ní fhágfaidh sí gur neamh-inghlactha i bhfianaise aon ní a dúradh le linn ceistiú den sórt sin.
Méarloirg a thógáil ó dhuine a ndéileáiltear leis faoin Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, nó a chiontaítear.
28.—(1) I gcás duine, ar é a ionchúiseamh i leith ciona indíotáilte, a bheith ina ábhar ordaithe faoi fho-alt (1) nó (2) d'alt 1 den Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, nó a chiontú agus déileáil leis i slí eile, féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána a mhéarloirg a thógáil laistigh de mhaighne na cúirte nó in aon áit chaothúil eile.
(2) Scoirfidh an chumhacht chun méarloirg dhuine a thógáil de bhun an ailt seo ag deireadh seachtaine dar tosach an dáta a ndéileálfar leis faoin Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, nó a gciontófar é, mura rud é gur fhág sé nárbh indéanta a mhéarloirg a thógáil de bhun an ailt seo laistigh den tréimhse sin.
(3) Beidh feidhm le forálacha alt 8 maidir leis na méarloirg a thógfar de bhun an ailt seo ó dhuine atá ina ábhar ordaithe faoi fho-alt (1) nó (2) d'alt 1 den Probation of Offenders Act, 1907 mar atá feidhm leo maidir le méarloirg a thógfar de bhun na gcumhachtaí a thugtar le halt 6.
(4) Aon duine a dhiúltóidh a cheadú a mhéarloirg a thógáil de bhun an ailt seo beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná dhá mhí dhéag nó iad araon a chur air.
Feidhm an Achta maidir le harmchúirteanna.
29.—Ní bheidh feidhm le forálacha an Achta seo a bhaineann le himeachtaí coiriúla maidir le triail le harm-chúirt ach amháin a mhéid a fheidhmeofar aon fhoráil den sórt sin amhlaidh le rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an Aire Cosanta, fara cibé modhnuithe, más ann, a bheidh forordaithe leis na rialacháin.
Rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
30.—Gach rialachán a dhéanfar faoin Acht seo (seachas rialachán faoi alt 7) leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is feidir tar éis an rialachán sin a dhéanamh agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach den Oireachtas, laistigh den lá is fiche ina dhiaidh sin a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán sin a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin sin, beidh an rialachán sin ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a bheidh déanta roimhe sin faoin rialachán sin.
Caiteachais.
31.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire Dlí agus Cirt ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Gearrtheideal.
32.—Féadfar an tAcht um Cheartas Coiriúil, 1984, a ghairm den Acht seo.