As Ann Déscrolláil
Cuir Déscrolláil ar siúl chun an dá leagan a scrolláil le chéile.
Uimhir 40 de 1961.
AN tACHT UM CHLÚMHILLEADH, 1961.
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
CUID I
Réamhraiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal.
1.—Féadfar an tAcht um Chlúmhilleadh, 1961, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Léiriú i gcoitinne.
2.—San Acht seo—
tá le “údarás áitiúil” an bhrí chéanna atá leis san Acht Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941;
ciallaíonn “páipéar nuachta”, ach amháin in alt 27, aon pháipéar ina mbíonn nuacht phoiblí nó tuairimí ar nuacht phoiblí, nó ar fógraí a bhíonn ann ar fad nó go formhór, agus a chlóbhuailtear lena dhíol agus a fhoilsítear sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann go tréimhsiúil nó i gcodanna nó in uimhreacha i gceann tréimhsí nach faide ná sé lá is tríocha;
ciallaíonn “dílseánach” dilseánach aonair páipéir nuachta ar bith agus ina theannta sin, i gcás dílseánacht roinnte, na daoine atá, mar chomhpháirtithe nó eile, ag ionadú d'aon scair nó leas, nó freagrach in aon scair nó leas, sa pháipéar nuachta amhail idir iad féin agus na daoine atá sa tslí chéanna ag ionadú do na scaireanna nó na leasanna eile ann nó freagrach sna scaireanna nó sna leasanna eile ann, agus ní chiallaíonn sé aon duine eile.
Tosach feidhme agus imeachtaí lena mbainfidh.
3.—(1) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh an 1ú lá d'Eanáir, 1962.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag Cuid III den Acht seo chun críocha aon imeachtaí a thosófar tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo, cibé uair a tharla an chúis chaingne, ach ní bhainfidh sé le haon imeachtaí a tosaíodh roimh thosach feidhme an Acht seo.
Aisghairm.
4.—Aisghairtear leis seo na hachtacháin a shonraítear sa Chéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo.
CUID II
Imeachtaí Coiriúla mar gheall ar Leabhal
An giúiré a bheith inniúil chun fíorasc ginearálta a thabhairt i dtriail ar dhíotáil mar gheall ar leabhal.
5.—(1) I ngach triail ar dhíotáil mar gheall ar leabhal a dhéanamh nó a fhoilsiú nach dtaifeadfar pléadáil neamhchiontachta ina leith, féadfaidh an giúiré fíorasc ginearálta ciontachta nó neamhchiontachta a thabhairt ar an ábhar go léir a cuireadh i saincheist sa díotáil, agus ní iarrfaidh an chúirt ar an ngiúiré ná ní threoróidh dóibh an duine a cúisíodh a fháil ciontach ar an gcruthú amháin gur fhoilsigh sé an páipéar ar cúisíodh gur leabhal é agus go raibh leis an bpáipéar sin an chiall a cuireadh ina leith sa díotáil.
(2) I ngach triail den sórt sin déanfaidh an chúirt, de réir a rogha, a tuairim agus a treorú a thabhairt don ghiúiré ar an ábhar a bheidh i saincheist amhail mar a dhéantar i gcásanna coiriúla eile.
(3) Ní oibreoidh fo-ailt (1) agus (2) den alt seo chun giúiré a chosc ó fhíorasc speisialta a chinneadh, dá rogha féin, amhail mar a dhéantar i gcásanna coiriúla eile.
Pléadáil gurbh fhíor na hábhair a cúisíodh i dtriail mar gheall ar leabhal clúmhillteach agus gurbh é leas an phobail iad a fhoilsiú.
6.—Sa triail ar aon díotáil mar gheall ar leabhal clúmhillteach, i gcás an duine a cúisíodh do dhéanamh pléadáil mar a luaitear anseo ina dhiaidh seo, féadfar fírinne na n-ábhar a cúisíodh a fhiosrú ach ní bheidh sin in ionannas le cosaint, murarbh é leas an phobail é go ndéanfaí na hábhair sin a cúisíodh a fhoilsiú; agus, chun go mbeidh teideal ag an gcosantóir fianaise i dtaobh fírinne na n-ábhar sin a cúisíodh a thabhairt mar chosaint ar an díotáil sin, ní foláir don duine a cúisíodh, ina phléadáil sa díotail sin, fírinne na n-ábhar sin a cúisíodh a líomhnú, sa tslí is gá i gcás fírinniú a phléadáil i gcaingean mar gheall ar chlúmhilleadh agus fairis sin a líomhnú gurbh é leas an phobail é na hábhair sin a cúisíodh a fhoilsiú, agus an fíoras nó na fíorais áirithe a líomhnú a thug gurbh é leas an phobail é go ndéanfaí na hábhair sin a cúisíodh a fhoilsiú, agus féadfaidh an t-ionchúisitheoir freagra a thabhairt go ginearálta ar an bpléadáil sin, á séanadh go hiomlán; agus más rud é, tar éis na pléadála sin, go gciontófar an duine a cúisíodh ar an díotáil sin, féadfaidh an chúirt, ag tabhairt a pianbhreithe di, a bhreithniú an méadú nó maolú ar a chiontacht an phléadáil sin agus an fhianaise a tugadh á cruthú nó á bréagnú: ar choinníoll—
(a) nach ndéanfar i gcás ar bith gan fírinniú a phléadáil amhlaidh fiosrú i dtaobh fírinne na n-ábhar a cúisíodh sa leabal líomhanta a gearánadh sa díotáil sin;
(b) i dteannta fírinniú a phléadáil amhlaidh, go bhféadfaidh an duine a cúisíodh pléadáil neamhchiontachta a thaifeadadh;
(c) nach gcuirfidh aon ní san alt seo ó chion aon chosaint, ná nach ndéanfaidh dochar d'aon chosaint, faoin bpléadáil neamhchiontachta a mbeidh an duine a cúisíodh inniúil ar a déanamh faoin bpléadáil sin in aon díotáil mar gheall ar leabhal clúmhillteach.
Fianaise ón duine a cúisíodh ag frisnéisiú cás prima facie gur ghníomhaire dó a rinne an foilsiú.
7.—Aon uair a tharlóidh, i dtriail ar dhíotáil mar gheall ar leabhal a fhoilsiú, a ndearnadh pléadáil neamhchiontachta a thaifeadadh ina leith, go dtabharfar fianaise a shuífidh i gcoinne an duine a cúisíodh toimhde go ndearnadh an foilsiú trí ghníomh aon duine eile le húdarás uaidh, beidh an duine a cúisíodh inniúil ar a chruthú gur gan údarás ná toiliú uaidh nó gur i ganfhios dó a rinneadh an foilsiú agus nach trí easpa cúraim nó aireachais mar ba chuí aige féin a tharla sé.
Ordú ó Bhreitheamh ag teastáil chun dílseánach páipéir nuachta, etc., a ionchúiseamh.
8.—Ní thosófar aon ionchúiseamh coiriúil i gcoinne aon dílseánaigh, foilsitheora nó eagarthóra ná i gcoinne aon duine atá freagrach i bhfoilsiú páipéir nuachta mar gheall ar aon leabhal a foilsíodh ann gan ordú ó Bhreitheamh den Ard-Chúirt ina shuí in camera a bheith tugtha agus faighte roimh ré, agus déanfar gach iarratas ar ordú den sórt sin ar fhógra a thabhairt don duine cúisithe, agus tabharfar caoi dósan éisteacht a fháil i gcoinne an iarratais.
Fiosrú i dtaobh leabhal a bheith chun leasa an phobail nó a bheith fíor.
9.—Féadfaidh Breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche, ar chúiseamh a éisteacht i gcoinne dílseánaigh, foilsitheora, eagarthóra nó aon duine atá freagrach i bhfoilsiú páipéir nuachta mar gheall ar leabhal a foilsíodh ann, fianaise a ghlacadh i dtaobh an foilsiú a bheith chun leasa an phobail, i dtaobh na hábhair a cúisíodh sa leabhal a bheith fíor, i dtaobh an tuairisc a bheith cothrom agus cruinn agus arna foilsiú gan mhailís agus i dtaobh aon ní a d'fhéadfadh an duine a cúisíodh a thabhairt i bhfianaise mar chosaint, faoin Acht seo nó faoi aon Acht eile nó in aon slí eile, ina thriail ar dhíotáil, agus más é tuairim an Bhreithimh, tar éis an fhianaise sin a éisteacht, go bhfuil toimhde láidir nó toimhde dhóchúil ann go ndéanfadh an giúire ar an triail an duine a cúisíodh a éigiontú, féadfaidh sé an cás a dhíbheadh.
Forálacha maidir le ciontú achomair mar gheall ar leabhal.
10.—Más é tuairim Breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche, ar chúiseamh a éisteacht i gcoinne dílseánaigh, foilsitheora, eagarthóra nó aon duine eile atá freagrach i bhfoilsiú páipéir nuachta mar gheall ar leabhal a fhoilsiú ann, nach raibh sa leabhal, ar a shon gur taispeánadh go raibh an duine cúisithe ciontach ann, ach leabhal de chineál mionchúiseach agus go bhféadfar an cion a leorphionósú de bhua na gcumhachtaí a thugtar leis an alt seo, cuirfidh an Breitheamh faoi deara an cúiseamh a chur i scríbhinn agus a léamh don duine a cúisíodh agus fiafróidh sé de ansin an mian leis go dtrialfeadh giúiré é nó an dtoilíonn sé leis an gcás a thriail go hachomair, agus, má thoilíonn an duine sin leis an gcás a thriail go hachomair, féadfaidh sé é a chiontú go hachomair, agus fíneáil nach mó ná caoga punt a chur air, agus beidh feidhm dá réir sin ag na hAchtanna um Dhlínse Achomair.
Pionós mar gheall ar leabhal clúmillteach a fhoilsiú go mailíseach.
11.—Gach duine a fhoilseoidh go mailíseach aon leabhal clúmhillteach dlífear, ar a chiontú ann ar dhíotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná dhá chéad punt a chur air nó príosúnacht go ceann téarma nach faide ná bliain nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile.
Pionós mar gheall ar leabhal is feasach a bheith bréagach a fhoilsiú go mailíseach.
12.—Gach duine a fhoilseoidh go mailíseach aon leabhal clúmhillteach, agus a fhios aige é a bheith bréagach dlífear, ar a chiontú ann ar dhíotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná cúig chéad punt nó príosúnacht go ceann téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile a chur air.
Pionós mar gheall ar leabhal diamhaslach nó graosta a chlóbhualadh nó a fhoilsiú.
13.—(1) Gach duine a chumfaidh, a chlóbhuailfidh nó a fhoilseoidh aon leabhal diamhaslach nó graosta dlífear, ar a chiontú ann ar dhíotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná cúig chéad punt nó príosúnacht go ceann téarma nach faide ná dhá bhliain nó an fhíneáil sin agus an phríosúnacht sin le chéile nó pianseirbhís go ceann téarma nach faide ná seacht mbliana a chur air.
(2) (a) I ngach cás ina gciontófar duine i leabhal diamaslach a chumadh, a chlóbhualadh nó a fhoilsiú, féadfaidh an chúirt ordú a dhéanamh chun na cóipeanna go léir den leabhal a bheidh i seilbh an duine sin, nó i seilbh aon duine eile a bheidh ainmnithe san ordú chun a úsáide, a urghabháil agus a thabhairt chun bealaigh agus a choinneáil i slánchoimeád, i cibé slí a ordófar san ordú ar fhianaise faoi mhionn a bheith tugtha roimhe sin chun sástacht na cúirte go bhfuil cóipeanna den leabhal sin i seilbh an duine eile sin chun úsáide an duine a ciontaíodh.
(b) Ar ordú a dhéanamh faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt seo, féadfaidh comhalta ar bith den Gharda Síochána agus é ag gníomhú faoin ordú sin dul isteach, le héigean más gá, agus cuardach a dhéanamh le haghaidh aon chóipeanna den leabhal sin in aon fhoirgneamh, teach nó aon áit eile leis an duine a ciontaíodh nó leis an duine eile sin a bheidh ainmnithe san ordú, agus féadfaidh sé gach cóip den leabhal a gheobhaidh sé ansin a urghabháil agus a thabhairt chun bealaigh agus a choinneáil sa tslí a ordaíodh san ordú sin.
(c) Más rud é, in aon chás den sórt sin, go ndéanfar an ciontú a neamhniú de thoradh achomhairc, déanfar aon chóipeanna den leabhal a urghabhadh faoi ordú faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt seo a thabhairt ar ais saor ó mhuirear don duine nó do na daoine ónar urghabhadh iad.
(d) Más rud é, in aon chás den sórt sin, nach dtaiscfear achomharc nó go ndaingneofar an ciontú de thoradh achomhairc, déanfar, ar iarratas ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána chun na cúirte a rinne an t-ordú sin, aon chóipeanna den leabhal a urghabhadh faoi ordú faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt seo a dhiúscairt i cibé slí a ordóidh an chúirt sin.
CUID III
Imeachtaí Sibhialta mar gheall ar Chlúmhilleadh
Léiriú (Cuid III).
1926, umih. 45.
1960, Umih. 10.
1863, c.112.
14.—(1) Sa Chuid seo—
tá le “craoladh” an bhrí chéanna atá le “foirleatha” san Acht
Radio-Thelegrafaíochta, 1926 (dá ngairtear Acht 1926 san alt seo) agus forléireofar an briathar “craoladh” da réir sin;
tá le “stáisiún craolacháin” an bhrí chéanna atá le “stáisiún foirleatha” in Acht 1926, arna leasú leis an Acht um Údarás Craolacháin, 1960;
tá le “raidió-theileagrafaíocht” an bhrí chéanna atá le “radiothelegrafaíocht” in Acht 1926.
(2) Déanfar aon tagairt sa Chuid seo d'fhocail a fhorléiriú mar ní a fholaíonn tagairt d'amharc-íomhánna, gothaí agus modhanna eile chun ciall a chur in iúl.
(3) Má dhéantar focail a chraolfar le raidió-theileagrafaíocht a tharchur san am céanna le teileagraf mar mhínítear sin leis an Telegraph Act, 1863, de réir ceadúnais arna dheonú ag an Aire Poist agus Telegrafa, beidh feidhm ag forálacha na Coda seo amhail is dá mba chraoladh le raidió-theileagrafaíocht an tarchur.
Ráitis chraolta.
15.—Chun críocha dhlí an leabhail agus na béadchainte áireofar craoladh focal le raidió-theileagrafaíocht mar fhoilsiú i mbuanfhoirm.
Focail a chuirfidh mígheanmnaíocht nó adhaltranas i leith duine a bheith inchaingne gan damáiste speisialta.
16.—Focail a labhrófar agus a fhoilseofar agus a chuirfidh mígheanmhaíocht nó adhaltranas i leith aon mhná nó chailín ní gá damáiste speisialta chun iad a dhéanamh inchaingne.
Tairiscint apalachta a bheith inghlactha i bhfianaise de mhaolú ar dhamáistí i gcaingean mar gheall ar chlúmhilleadh.
17.—In aon chaingean mar gheall ar chlúmhilleadh, is dleathach don chosantóir (tar éis fógra i scríbhinn faoina bheith ar intinn aige sin a dhéanamh, a tugadh go cuí don ghearánaí an tráth a comhadaíodh nó a seachadadh an phléadáil sa chaingean) a chur i bhfianaise, de mhaolú ar dhamáistí, go ndearna sé apalacht a ghabháil leis an ngearánaí nó a thairiscint dó mar gheall ar an gclúmhilleadh sin sular tosaíodh an chaingean, nó chomh luath ina dhiaidh sin agus a bhí caoi aige ar é a dhéanamh, i gcás an chaingean a bheith tosaithe sula raibh caoi aige an apalacht sin a ghabháil nó a thairiscint.
Tuairiscí páipéir nuachta agus tuairiscí craolta ar imeachtaí i gcúirt a bheith faoi phribhléid.
18.—Aon tuairisc chothrom chruinn a fhoilseofar in aon nuachtán nó a chraolfar le raidió-theileagrafaíocht mar chuid d'aon chlár nó seirbhís a sholáthrófar trí stáisiún craolacháin sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann ar imeachtaí a éisteadh go poiblí os comhair aon chúirte a bunaíodh le dlí agus ag a mbeidh údarás breithiúnach á fheidhmiú aici sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann, beidh sí faoi phribhléid más i gcomhaimsir leis na himeachtaí sin a fhoilseofar nó a chraolfar í.
(2) Ní údaróidh aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo aon ábhar diamhaslach nó graosta a fhoilsiú nó a chraoladh.
Béadchaint a bhaineann le clú duine ina oifig, ina ghairm nó ina ghnó.
19.—I gcaingean mar gheall ar bhéadchaint i leith focal a rachadh chun dímheas a tharraingt ar an ngearánaí in aon oifig, gairm, slí bheatha, ceird nó gnó a bhí aige nó a bhí á sheoladh aige tráth an fhoilsithe, ní gá damáiste speisialta a líomhnú ná a chruthú, cibé acu i ndáil lena oifig, lena ghairm, lena slí bheatha, lena cheird, nó lena ghnó a dúradh na focail i dtaobh an ghearánaí nó nach ea.
Clúmhilleadh teidil, etc.
20.—(1) I gcaingean mar gheall ar chlúmhilleadh teidil, clúmhilleadh earraí nó bréag mhailíseach eile, ní gá damáiste speisialta a líomhnú ná a chruthú—
(a) más rud é go rachadh na focail ar ar bunaíodh an chaingean chun damáiste i gcúrsaí airgid a dhéanamh don ghearánaí agus gur i scríbhinn nó i mbuanfhoirm eile a foilsíodh iad; nó
(b) más rud é go rachadh na focail sin chun damáiste i gcúrsaí airgid a dhéanamh don ghearánaí maidir le haon oifig, gairm, slí bheatha, ceird nó gnó a bhí aige nó a bhí á sheoladh aige tráth an fhoilsithe.
(2) Beidh feidhm ag alt 15 den Acht seo chun críocha fho-alt (1) den alt seo amhail mar atá feidhm aige chun críocha dhlí an leabhail agus an chlúmhillte.
Clúmhilleadh neamhbheartaithe.
21.—(1) Duine a d'fhoilsigh focail a líomhnaítear a bheith ina gclúmhilleadh ar dhuine eile, féadfaidh sé, má éilíonn sé gur go neamhurchóideach a d'fhoilsigh sé na focail maidir leis an duine eile sin, tairiscint sásaimh a dhéanamh faoin alt seo, agus in aon chás den sórt sin—
(a) má ghlacann an páirtí éagóraithe leis an tairiscint agus go gcomhlíonfar í go cuí, ní thionscnóidh an páirtí sin aon imeachtaí, ná ní leanfaidh sé d'aon imeachtaí, mar gheall ar leabhal nó clúmhilleadh i gcoinne an duine a rinne an tairiscint maidir leis an bhfoilsiú a bheidh i gceist (ach gan dochar d'aon chúis chaingne i gcoinne aon duine eile a bhí freagrach i gcomhpháirt san fhoilsiú sin);
(b) mura nglacfaidh an páirtí éagóraithe leis an tairiscint, ansin, ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt leis an alt seo, is cosaint é, in aon imeachtaí aige mar gheall ar leabhal nó clúmhilleadh i gcoinne an duine a rinne an tairiscint maidir leis an bhfoilsiú a bheidh i gceist, a chruthú gur go neamhurchóideach a rinne an cosantóir na focail a gearánadh a fhoilsiú maidir leis an ngearánaí agus go ndearnadh an tairiscint a luaithe ab fhéidir tar éis don chosantóir fógra a fháil go raibh siad nó go bhféadfaidís a bheith ina gclúmhilleadh ar an ngearánaí, agus nár tarraingíodh siar an tairiscint.
(2) Ní foláir é a bheith sainráite i dtairiscint sásaimh faoin alt seo gur chun críocha an ailt seo a dhéantar é, agus ní foláir mionnscríbhinn a bheith ag gabháil leis a shonróidh na fíorais ar a bhfuil a sheasamh ag an duine atá á dhéanamh chun a thaispeáint gur go neamhurchóideach a foilsíodh na focail atá i gceist maidir leis an bpáirtí éagóraithe; agus chun críocha cosanta faoi mhír (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo ní bheidh aon fhianaise, seachas fianaise ar fhíorais a shonrófar sa mhionnscríbhinn, inghlactha thar ceann an duine sin chun a chruthú gur mar sin a foilsíodh na focail.
(3) Is tuigthe gurb é is tairiscint sásaimh a dhéanfar faoin alt seo ann tairiscint—
(a) In aon chás, chun ceartú oiriúnach ar na focail a gearánadh, maraon le leor-apalacht don pháirtí éagóraithe i dtaobh na bhfocal sin, a fhoilsiú nó páirt a ghlacadh ina bhfoilsiú;
(b) i gcás cóipeanna de dhoiciméad nó de thaifead ina raibh na focail sin a bheith dáilte ag an duine nó go bhfios don duine a dhéanfaidh an tairiscint, chun cibé bearta a dhéanamh is féidir leis de réir réasúin lena chur in iúl do dhaoine dár dáileadh cóipeanna amhlaidh go líomhnaítear na focail a bheith ina gclúmhilleadh ar an bpáirtí éagóraithe.
(4) I gcás ina nglacfaidh an páirtí éagóraithe le tairiscint sásaimh faoin alt seo—
(a) déanfar aon cheist i dtaobh na mbeart a bheidh le déanamh i gcomhlíonadh na tairisceana mar a ghlacfar léi amhlaidh, mura gcomhaontóidh na páirtithe ar na bearta sin, a chur faoi bhráid na hArd-Chúirte agus a chinneadh aici nó, má tionscnaíodh imeachtaí sa Chúirt Chuarda maidir leis an bhfoilsiú a bheidh i gceist, a chur faoi bhráid na Cúirte Cuarda agus a chinneadh aici, agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach cinneadh na Cúirte sin ar an gceist sin;
(b) ar chumhacht na cúirte chun orduithe a dhéanamh i dtaobh costais in imeachtaí ag an bpáirtí éagóraithe i gcoinne an duine a dhéanfaidh an tairiscint maidir leis an bhfoilsiú a bheidh i gceist, nó in imeachtaí maidir leis an tairiscint faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt seo, áireofar cumhacht chun a ordú go mbeidh ar an duine a dhéanfaidh an tairiscint costais a íoc leis an bpáirtí éagóraithe ar fhoras slánaíochta maraon le haon chaiteachais faoina ndeachaigh nó faoina rachaidh an páirtí sin go réasúnach de dhroim an fhoilsithe a bheidh i gceist;
agus mura dtionscnófar aon imeachtaí mar a dúradh, féadfaidh an Ard-Chúirt, ar iarratas ón bpáirtí éagóraithe, aon ordú den sórt sin a dhéanamh le haghaidh íoc na gcostas nó na gcaiteachas sin mar a dúradh a d'fhéadfaí a dhéanamh sna himeachtaí sin.
(5) Chun críocha an ailt seo áireofar focail a bheith foilsithe ag duine amháin (dá ngairtear an foilsítheoir san fho-alt seo) go neamhurchóideach i dtaobh duine eile i gcás, agus sa chás sin amháin, ina mbeidh na coinníollacha seo a leanas comhlíonta, is é sin le rá—
(a) nach raibh sé ar intinn ag an bhfoilsitheoir iad a fhoilsiú i dtaobh agus i leith an duine eile sin, agus nárbh eol dó imthosca a bhféadfaí a thuiscint iad a bheith ag tagairt dó; nó
(b) nach raibh na focail clúmhillteach de réir a gcuma, agus nárbh eol don fhoilsitheoir imthosca as a bhféadfaí a thuiscint iad a bheith ina gclúmhilleadh ar an duine eile sin,
agus i gceachtar cás gur ghlac an foilsitheoir gach cúram réasúnach maidir leis an bhfoilsiú; agus déanfar aon tagairt san fho-alt seo don fhoilsitheoir a fhorléiriú mar ní a fholaíonn tagairt d'aon seirbhíseach nó gníomhaire don fhoilsitheoir a raibh baint aige lena raibh san fhoilsiú.
(6) Ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo i gcás ina gcruthóidh an páirtí éagóraithe gur bhain damáiste speisialta dó.
(7) Ní bheidh feidhm ag mír (b) d'fho-alt (1) den alt seo maidir le foilsiú ag duine ar bith ar fhocail nach é féin a n-údar mura gcruthóidh sé nach le mailís a scríobh an t-údar na focail.
Fírinniú.
22.—I gcaingean mar gheall ar leabhal nó clúmhilleadh i leith focail ina mbeidh dhá chúiseamh ar leithligh nó níos mó i gcoinne an ghearánaí, ní chlisfidh cosaint fhírinnithe de dhroim amháin nach gcruthófar fírinne gach cúisimh, más rud é nach ndéanfaidh na focail nár cruthaíodh a bheith fíor díobháil ábhartha do chlú an ghearánaí ag féachaint d'fhírinne na gcúiseamh eile.
Imchaint dhlisteanach.
23.—I gcaingean mar gheall ar leabhal nó clúmhilleadh i leith focail a bheidh go páirteach ina líomhaintí fíorais agus go páirteach ina nochtadh tuairime, ní chlisfidh cosaint gurbh imchaint dhlisteanach a bhí iontu ar an aon chúis nár cruthaíodh gach líomhain fíorais, más imchaint dhlisteanach an nochtadh tuairme ag féachaint don méid a cruthaíodh de na fíorais a líomhnaíodh nó dar tagraíodh sna focail a gearánadh.
Tuairiscí áirithe páipéir nuachta agus craolacháin a bheith faoi phribhléid shrianta.
1888, c. 64.
24.—(1) Faoi réir fhorálacha an ailt seo, beidh foilsiú a dhéanfar i bpáipéar nuachta, nó craoladh a dhéanfar le raidió-theileagrafaíocht mar chuid d'aon chlár nó seirbhís a sholáthraítear trí stáisiún craolacháin sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann, ar aon tuairisc nó ábhar eile den sórt a luaitear sa Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo, faoi phribhléid mura gcruthófar gur le mailís a rinneadh an foilsiú nó an craoladh sin.
(2) I gcaingean mar gheall ar leabhal i leith foilsiú nó craoladh aon tuairisce nó ábhair den sórt a luaitear i gCuid II den Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo, ní cosaint iad forálacha an ailt seo má chruthaítear gur iarr an gearánaí ar an gcosantóir ráiteas réasúnach mar mhíniú nó mar bhréagnú a fhoilsiú sa pháipéar nuachta ina ndearnadh an foilsiú bunaidh nó a chraoladh ón stáisiún craolacháin óna ndearnadh an craoladh bunaidh, cibé acu é, agus gur dhiúltaigh nó gur fhailligh sé é sin a dhéanamh, nó go ndearna sé é ar chuma nár leor nó nach raibh réasúnach ag féachaint do na himthosca uile.
(3) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a chosnaíonn foilsiú nó craoladh aon ábhair a dtoirmisctear le dlí é a fhoilsiú nó a chraoladh, ná aon ábhair nach de chúram an phobail agus nach é leas an phobail é a fhoilsiú nó a chraoladh.
(4) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a theorannaíonn nó a laghdaíonn aon phribhléid a bheidh ar marthain (ar shlí seachas de bhua alt 4 den Law of Libel Amendment Act, 1888) díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
Comhaontuithe i leith slánaíochta.
25.—Ní neamhdhleathach do chomhaontú chun aon duine a shlánú i gcoinne dliteanais shibhialta mar gheall ar leabhal maidir le foilsiú aon ábhair, murab eol don duine sin tráth an fhoilsithe gurbh ábhar clúmhillteach é, agus nach gcreideann sé go réasúnach go bhfuil cosaint mhaith ann ar aon chaingean a thionscnófaí mar gheall air.
Fianaise i dtaobh damáistí eile a ghnóthaigh an gearánaí.
26.—In aon chaingean mar gheall ar leabhal nó clúmhilleadh féadfaidh an cosantóir fianaise a thabhairt do mhaolú ar dhamáistí gur ghnóthaigh an gearánaí damáistí, nó gur thionscain sé caingne ag iarraidh damáistí, mar gheall ar leabhal nó clúmhilleadh i leith focail a fhoilsiú arb ionann éifeacht dóibh agus do na focail ar ar bunaíodh an chaingean, nó gur ghlac sé, nó gur chomhaontaigh sé glacadh, le cúiteamh i leith aon fhoilsithe den sórt sin.
Oibleagáid ar dhílseánaigh áirithe páipéar nuachta a bheith cláraithe faoin Registration of Business Names Act, 1916.
27.—(1) Ní foláir dílseánach gach páipéir nuachta ag a bhfuil áit ghnó sa Stát, mura cuideachta a claraíodh faoi Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1908 go 1959, an dílseánach sin, agus nach gá faoi fhorálacha an Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, a bheith cláraithe faoin Acht sin maidir le gnó seolta an pháipéir nuachta sin, a bheith cláraithe mar a ordaítear leis an Acht sin, agus beidh feidhm ag an Acht sin maidir leis an dílseánach sin amhail mar atá feidhm aige maidir le gnólacht nó le duine dá dtagraítear in alt 1 den Acht sin.
(2) Déanfar gach tagairt atá san Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, don Acht sin a fhorléiriú mar thagairt don Acht sin arna leathnú le fo-alt (1) den alt seo.
(3) San alt seo ciallaíonn “páipéar nuachta” aon pháipéar ina mbíonn nuacht phoiblí nó tuairimí ar nuacht phoiblí, nó ar fógraí a bhíonn ann ar fad nó go formhór, agus a chlóbhuailtear lena dhíol agus a fhoilsítear sa Stát go tréimhsiúil nó i gcodanna nó in uimhreacha i gceann tréimhsí nach faide ná sé lá is fiche.
Cosaint.
28.—Ní dhéanfaidh aon ní sa Chuid seo difir don dlí a bhaineann le leabhal coiriúil.
AN CHEAD SCEIDEAL
Achtacháin a Aisghairtear
Cuid I
Achtanna ó Pharlaimint na hÉireann
Seisiún agus Caibidil | Teideal |
28 Hen. 8, c. 7 (Ir.). | An Act of Slaunder. |
2 Geo. 1, c. 20 (Ir.). | An Act to limit the time for Criminal Prosecutions for words spoken. |
33 Geo. 3, c. 43 (Ir.). | An Act to remove doubts respecting the functions of juries in cases of libel. |
Cuid II
Achtanna ó Pharlaimint Ríocht Aontaithe na Breataine Móire agus na hÉireann a bhí ann le déanaí
Seisiún agus Caibidil | Teideal |
60 Geo. 3 & 1 Geo. 4, c. 8. | Criminal Libel Act, 1819. |
3 & 4 Vic., c. 9 | Parliamentary Papers Act, 1840. |
6 & 7 Vic., c. 96. | Libel Act, 1843. |
8 & 9 Vic., c. 75. | Libel Act, 1845. |
32 & 33 Vic., c. 24. | Newspapers Printers and Reading Rooms Repeal Act, 1869. |
44 & 45 Vic., c. 60. | Newspaper Libel and Registration Act, 1881. |
51 & 52 Vic., c. 64. | Law of Libel Amendment Act, 1888. |
54 & 55 Vic., c. 51. | Slander of Women Act, 1891. |
AN DARA SCEIDEAL
Ráitis a bheidh faoi Phribhléid Shrianta
Cuid I
Ráitis a bheidh faoi Phribhléid gan Miniú ná Bréagnú
1. Tuairisc chothrom chruinn ar aon imeachtaí poiblí ag teach aon reachtais (lena n-áirítear fo-reachtais nó reachtais chónaidhme) le haon Stát ceannasach iasachta nó ag aon chomh lacht is cuid den reachtas sin nó aon chomhlacht arna cheapadh go cuí ag reachtas nó feadhmannas an Stáit sin nó faoi chun fiosrúchán poiblí a dhéanamh i dtaobh ní a mbaineann tábhacht phoiblí leis.
2. Tuairisc chothrom chruinn ar aon imeachtaí poiblí ag eagras idirnáisiúnta a bhfuil an Stát nó an Rialtas ina chomhalta de nó ag aon chomhdháil idirnáisiúnta a gcuireann an Rialtas ionadaí chuici.
3. Tuairisc chothrom chruinn ar aon imeachtaí poiblí ag an gCúirt Cheartais Idirnáisiúnta agus ag aon bhinse breithiúnach nó eadránach eile a bheidh ag cinneadh ábhar a bheidh faoi dhíospóid idir Stáit.
4. Tuairisc chothrom chruinn ar aon imeachtaí os comhair cúirte (lena n-áirítear armchúirt) a mbeidh dlínse á hoibriú aici faoi dhlí aon reachtais (lena n-áirítear fo-reachtais nó reachtais chónaidhme) le haon Stát ceannasach iasachta.
5. Cóip chothrom chruinn d'aon chlár, nó sliocht cothrom cruinn as aon chlár, a bheidh á choimeád de bhun aon dlí agus a bheidh ar oscailt lena iniúchadh ag an bpobal nó d'aon doiciméad eile is gá de réir dlí a bheith ar oscailt lena iniúchadh ag an bpobal.
6. Aon fhógra nó fógrán a fhoilseoidh aon chúirt sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann nó aon Bhreitheamh nó oifigeach de chuid cúirte den sórt sin nó a fhoilseofar lena n-údarás.
Cuid II
Ráitis a bheidh faoi phribhléid faoi réir a Minithe nó a mBréagnaithe
1. Tuairisc chothrom chruinn ar chinntí nó ar bhreith ó aon chomhlachas acu seo a leanas, cibé acu sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann a cuireadh ar bun é, nó ó aon choiste nó comhlacht ceannais d'aon chomhlachas acu, is é sin le rá:
(a) comhlachas chun cleachtadh aon ealaíne, eolaíochta, creidimh nó léinn nó suim in aon ní díobh sin a chur ar aghaidh nó a spreagadh, agus é de chumhacht aige óna chóiriú rialú nó breithniú a dhéanamh ar chúrsaí is ábhar suime nó is cúram don chomhlachas nó ar ghníomhartha nó iompar aon daoine a bheidh faoi réir an rialaithe nó an bhreithnithe sin;
(b) comhlachas chun leasanna aon cheirde, gnó, tionscail nó gairme, nó leasanna na ndaoine a bhíonn ag gabháil d'aon cheird, gnó, tionscal nó gairm nó a mbíonn sin á sheoladh acu, a chur ar aghaidh nó a chaomhnú agus é de chumhacht ag an gcomhlachas óna chóiriú rialú nó breithniú a dhéanamh ar chúrsaí a bhaineann leis an gceird, leis an ngnó, leis an tionscal nó leis an ngairm sin nó ar bhearta nó iompar na ndaoine sin;
(c) comhlachas chun leasanna aon chluiche, spóirt nó caitheamh aimsire a chur ar aghaidh nó a chaomhnú a dtugtar cuireadh do dhaoine den phobal nó a ligtear isteach iad chun a imeartha nó a chleachta, agus é de chumhacht ag an gcomhlachas sin óna chóiriú rialú nó breithniú a dhéanamh ar dhaoine a mbíonn baint acu leis an gcluiche, leis an spórt nó leis an gcaitheamh aimsire sin nó a ghlacann páirt ann;
más cinneadh nó breith é a bhaineann le duine is comhalta den chomhlachas nó atá, de bhua aon chonartha, faoi rialú an chomhlachais.
2. Tuairisc chothrom chruinn ar na himeachtaí ag aon chruinniú poiblí a thionólfar sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann, más cruinniú bona fide é agus go dtionólfar go dleathach é chun críche dleathaí agus chun aon ábhar is cúram don phobal, a chur ar aghaidh nó a phlé, cibé acu a ligfear an pobal i gcoitinne isteach chun an chruinnithe nó nach ligfear isteach ach daoine áirithe.
3. Tuairisc chothrom chruinn ar na himeachtaí ag aon chruinniú a thionólfaidh nó ar aon ócáid a shuífidh—
(a) aon údarás áitiúil, nó aon choiste d'údarás áitiúil nó d'údaráis áitiúla, agus aon údarás comhréire, nó aon choiste de i dTuaisceart Éireann;
(b) aon Bhreitheamh a bheidh ag gníomhnú ar shlí seachas mar chúirt ag oibriú údaráis bhreithiúnaigh agus aon duine comhréire a bheidh ag gníomhú amhlaidh i dTuaisceart Éireann;
(c) aon choimisiún, binse, coiste nó duine a ceapadh, sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann, chun críocha aon fhiosrúcháin faoi údarás reachtúil;
(d) aon duine a cheap údarás áitiúil chun fiosrúchán áitiúil a dhéanamh de bhun Acht ón Oireachtas agus aon duine a cheap údarás comhréire i dTuaisceart Éireann chun fiosrúchán áitiúi a dhéanamh de bhun údaráis reachtúil;
(e) aon bhinse, bord, coiste nó comhlacht eile a bunaíodh le húdarás reachtúil nó faoi, agus a bheidh ag feidhmiú feidhmeanna faoi údarás reachtúil, cibé acu sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann é;
nach cruinniú ná suí nach ligfear ionadaithe na nuachtán ná daoine eile den phobal isteach chuige.
4. Tuairisc chothrom chruinn ar na himeachtaí ag cruinniú ginearálta, cibé acu sa Stát nó i dTuaisceart Éireann é, d'aon chuideachta nó comhlachas a bunaíodh, a cláraíodh nó a deimhníodh le húdarás reachtúil nó faoi, nó a corpraíodh le cairt, agus nach é atá ann, i gcás cuideachta sa Stát, cuideachta phríobháideach de réir bhrí Achtanna na gCuideachtaí, 1908 go 1959, nó i gcás cuideachta i dTuaisceart Éireann, cuideachta phríobháideach de réir bhrí na reachtanna maidir le cuideachtaí a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire ansin.
5. Cóip, nó tuairisc nó coimriú a bheidh cothrom agus cruinn, d'aon fhógra nó ábhar eile a eisíodh mar eolas don phobal ó aon roinn Rialtais nó údarás áitiúil nó ó choimisinéir an Gharda Síochána, nó thar a gceann, nó ó roinn, údarás nó oifigeach comhréire i dTuaisceart Éireann nó thar a gceann.
Number 40 of 1961.
DEFAMATION ACT, 1961.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Competence of jury to give general verdict on trial of indictment for libel. |
Criminal Proceedings for Libel
Civil Proceedings for Defamation
Enactments Repealed
Statements having qualified privilege
Acts Referred to | |
1941, No. 23 | |
1926, No. 45 | |
1960, No. 10 | |
Telegraph Act, 1863 | 1863, c. 112 |
Libel Amendment Act, 1888 | 1888, c. 64 |
Number 40 of 1961.
DEFAMATION ACT, 1961.
PART I
Preliminary And General
Short title.
1.—This Act may be cited as the Defamation Act, 1961.
Interpretation generally.
2.—In this Act—
“local authority”has the same meaning as in the Local Government Act, 1941;“newspaper” except in section 27, means any paper containing public news or observations thereon, or consisting wholly or mainly of advertisements, which is printed for sale and is published in the State or in Northern Ireland either periodically or in parts or numbers at intervals not exceeding thirty-six days;
“proprietor”means, as well as the sole proprietor of any newspaper, in the case of a divided proprietorship, the persons who, as partners or otherwise, represent or are responsible for any share or interest in the newspaper as between themselves and the
persons in like manner representing or responsible for the other shares or interests therein, and no other person.
Commencement and proceedings affected.
3.—(1) This Act shall come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1962.
(2) Part III of this Act shall apply for the purposes of any proceedings begun after the commencement of this Act, whenever the cause of action arose, but shall not affect any proceedings commenced before the commencement of this Act.
Repeals.
4.—The enactments specified in the First Schedule to this Act Repeals, are hereby repealed.
PART II
Criminal Proceedings for Libel
Competence of jury to give general verdict on trial of indictment for libel.
5.—(1) On every trial of an indictment for making or publishing any libel to which a plea of not guilty is entered, the jury may give a general verdict of guilty or not guilty upon the whole matter put in issue on the indictment, and the jury shall not be required or directed by the court to find the person charged guilty merely on the proof of the publication by him of the paper charged to be a libel and of the sense ascribed to such paper in the indictment.
(2) On every such trial the court shall, according to its discretion, give its opinion and directions to the jury on the matter in issue in like manner as in other criminal cases.
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall not operate to prevent the jury from finding a special verdict, in their discretion, as in other criminal cases.
Plea of truth of matters charged on trial for defamatory libel and that publication was for public benefit.
6.—On the trial of any indictment for a defamatory libel, the person charged having pleaded such plea as hereinafter mentioned, the truth of the matters charged may be inquired into but shall not amount to a defence, unless it was for the public benefit that the said matters charged should be published; and, to entitle thedefendant to give evidence of the truth of such matters charged as a defence to such indictment, it shall be necessary for the person charged, in pleading to the said indictment, to allege the truth of the said matters charged, in the manner required in pleading a justification to an action for defamation, and further to allege that it was for the public benefit that the said matters charged should be published, and the particular fact or facts by reason of which it was for the public benefit that the said matters charged should be published, to which plea the prosecutor shall be at liberty to reply generally, denying the whole thereof; and if, after such plea, the person charged is convicted on such indictment, the court may, in pronouncing sentence, consider whether his guilt is aggravated or mitigated by the said plea and by the evidence given to prove or to disprove the same: provided that—
(a) the truth of the matters charged in the alleged libel complained of by such indictment shall in no case be inquired into without such plea of justification;
(b) in addition to such plea of justification, the person charged may enter a plea of not guilty;
(c) nothing in this section shall take away or prejudice any defence under the plea of not guilty which it is competent to the person charged to make under such plea to any indictment for defamatory libel.
Evidence by person charged to rebut prima facie case of publication by his agent.
7.—Whenever, upon the trial of an indictment for the publication of a libel, a plea of not guilty having been entered, evidence is given establishing a presumption of publication against the person charged by the act of any other person by his authority, it shall be competent for the person charged to prove that the publication was made without his authority, consent or knowledge and that the publication did not arise from want of due care or caution on his part.
Order of Judge required for prosecution of newspaper proprietor, etc.
8.—No criminal prosecution shall be commenced against any proprietor, publisher, editor or any person responsible for the publication of a newspaper for any libel published therein without the order of a Judge of the High Court sitting in camera being first had and obtained, and every application for such order shall be made on notice to the person accused, who shall have an opportunity of being heard against the application.
Inquiry as to libel being for public benefit or being true.
9.—A Justice of the District Court, upon the hearing of a charge against a proprietor, publisher or editor or any person responsible for the publication of a newspaper for a libel published therein, may receive evidence as to the publication being for the public benefit, as to the matters charged in the libel being true, as to the report being fair and accurate and published without malice and as to any matter which, under this or any other Act or otherwise, might be given in evidence by way of defence by the person charged on his trial on indictment, and the Justice, if of opinion after hearing such evidence that there is a strong or probable presumption that the jury on the trial would acquit the person charged, may dismiss the case.
Provisions as to summary conviction for libel.
10.—If a Justice of the District Court, upon the hearing of a charge against a proprietor, publisher, editor or any person responsible for the publication of a newspaper for a libel published therein, is of opinion that, though the person charged is shown to have been guilty, the libel was of a trivial character and that the offence may be adequately punished by virtue of the powers conferred by this section, the Justice shall cause the charge to be reduced into writing and read to the person charged and shall then ask him if he desires to be tried by a jury or consents to the case being dealt with summarily, and, if such person consents to the case being dealt with summarily, may summarily convict him, and impose on him a fine not exceeding fifty pounds, and the Summary Jurisdiction Acts shall apply accordingly.
Penalty for maliciously publishing defamatory libel.
11.—Every person who maliciously publishes any defamatory libel shall, on conviction thereof on indictment, be liable to a fine not exceeding two hundred pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Penalty for maliciously publishing libel known to be false.
12.—Every person who maliciously publishes any defamatory libel, knowing the same to be false, shall, on conviction thereof on indictment, be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Penalty for printing or publishing blasphemous or obscene libel.
13.—(1) Every person who composes, prints or publishes any blasphemous or obscene libel shall, on conviction thereof on indictment, be liable to a fine not exceeding five hundred pounds or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment or to penal servitude for a term not exceeding seven years.
(2) (a) In every case in which a person is convicted of composing, printing or publishing a blasphemous libel, the court may make an order for the seizure and carrying away and detaining in safe custody, in such manner as shall be directed in the order, of all copies of the libel in the possession of such person or of any other person named in the order for his use, evidence upon oath having been previously given to the satisfaction of the court that copies of the said libel are in the possession of such other person for the use of the person convicted.
(b) Upon the making of an order under paragraph (a) of this subsection, any member of the Garda Síochána acting under such order may enter, if necessary by the use of force, and search for any copies of the said libel any building, house or other place belonging to the person convicted or to such other person named in the order and may seize and carry away and detain in the manner directed in such order all copies of the libel found therein.
(c) If, in any such case, the conviction is quashed on appeal, any copies of the libel seized under an order under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be returned free of charge to the person or persons from whom they were seized.
(d) Where, in any such case, an appeal is not lodged or the conviction is confirmed on appeal, any copies of the libel seized under an order under paragraph (a) of this subsection shall, on the application of a member of the Garda Síochána to the court which made such order, be disposed of in such manner as such court may direct.
PART III
Civil Proceedings for Defamation
Interpretation. (Part III).
14.—(1) In this Part—
“broadcast” has the same meaning as in the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1926 (in this section referred to as the Act of 1926) and “broadcasting” shall be construed accordingly;
“broadcasting station” has the same meaning as in the Act of 1926, as amended by the Broadcasting Authority Act, 1960;
“wireless telegraphy” has the same meaning as in the Act of 1926.
(2) Any reference in this Part to words shall be construed as including a reference to visual images, gestures and other methods of signifying meaning.
(3) Where words broadcast by means of wireless telegraphy are simultaneously transmitted by telegraph as defined by the Telegraph Act, 1863, in accordance with a licence granted by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs, the provisions of this Part shall apply as if the transmission were broadcasting by means of wireless telegraphy.
Broadcast statements.
15.—For the purposes of the law of libel and slander the broadcasting of words by means of wireless telegraphy shall be treated as publication in permanent form.
Words imputing unchastity or adultery actionable without special damage.
16.—Words spoken and published which impute unchastity or adultery to any woman or girl shall not require special damage to render them actionable.
Offer of an apology admissible in evidence in mitigation of damages in action for defamation.
17.—In any action for defamation, it shall be lawful for the defendant (after notice in writing of his intention so to do, duly given to the plaintiff at the time of filing or delivering the plea in the action) to give in evidence, in mitigation of damage, that he made or offered an apology to the plaintiff for such defamation before the commencement of the action, or as soon afterwards as he had an opportunity of doing so, in case the action shall have been commenced before there was an opportunity of making or offering such apology.
Newspaper and broadcast reports of proceedings in court privileged.
18.—(1) A fair and accurate report published in any newspaper or broadcast by means of wireless telegraphy as part of any programme or service provided by means of a broadcasting station within the State or in Northern Ireland of proceedings publicly heard before any court established by law and exercising judicial authority within the State or in Northern Ireland shall, if published or broadcast contemporaneously with such proceedings, be privileged.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall authorise the publication or broadcasting of any blasphemous or obscene matter.
Slander affecting official, professional or business reputation.
19.—In an action for slander in respect of words calculated to disparage the plaintiff in any office, profession, calling, trade or business held or carried on by him at the time of the publication, it shall not be necessary to allege or prove special damage, whether or not the words are spoken of the plaintiff in the way of his office, profession, calling, trade or business.
Slander of title, etc.
20.—(1) In an action for slander of title, slander of goods or other malicious falsehood, it shall not be necessary to allege or prove special damage—
(a) if the words upon which the action is founded are calculated to cause pecuniary damage to the plaintiff and are published in writing or other permanent form; or
(b) if the said words are calculated to cause pecuniary damage to the plaintiff in respect of any office, profession, calling, trade or business held or carried on by him at the time of the publication.
(2) Section 15 of this Act shall apply for the purposes of subsection (1) of this section as it applies for the purposes of the law of libel and slander.
Unintentional defamation.
21.—(1) A person who has published words alleged to be defamatory of another person may, if he claims that the words were published by him innocently in relation to that other person, make an offer of amends under this section, and in any such case—
(a) if the offer is accepted by the party aggrieved and is duly performed, no proceedings for libel or slander shall be taken or continued by that party against the person making the offer in respect of the publication in question (but without prejudice to any cause of action against any other person jointly responsible for that publication);
(b) if the offer is not accepted by the party aggrieved, then, except as otherwise provided by this section, it shall be a defence, in any proceedings by him for libel or slander against the person making the offer in respect of the publication in question, to prove that the words complained of were published by the defendant innocently in relation to the plaintiff and that the offer was made as soon as practicable after the defendant received notice that they were or might be defamatory of the plaintiff, and has not been withdrawn.
(2) An offer of amends under this section must be expressed to be made for the purposes of this section, and must be accompanied by an affidavit specifying the facts relied upon by the person making it to show that the words in question were published by him innocently in relation to the party aggrieved; and for the purposes of a defence under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section no evidence, other than evidence of facts specified in the affidavit, shall be admissible on behalf of that person to prove that the words were so published.
(3) An offer of amends under this section shall be understood to mean an offer—
(a) in any case, to publish or join in the publication of a suitable correction of the words complained of, and a sufficient apology to the party aggrieved in respect of those words;
(b) where copies of a document or record containing the said words have been distributed by or with the knowledge of the person making the offer, to take such steps as are reasonably practicable on his part for notifying persons to whom copies have been so distributed that the words are alleged to be defamatory of the party aggrieved.
(4) Where an offer of amends under this section is accepted by the party aggrieved—
(a) any question as to the steps to be taken in fulfilment of the offer as so accepted shall, in default of agreement between the parties, be referred to and determined by the High Court or, if proceedings in respect of the publication in question have been taken in the Circuit Court, by the Circuit Court, and the decision of such Court thereon shall be final;
(b) the power of the court to make orders as to costs in proceedings by the party aggrieved against the person making the offer in respect of the publication in question, or in proceedings in respect of the offer under paragraph (a) of this subsection, shall include power to order the payment by the person making the offer to the party aggrieved of costs on an indemnity basis and any expenses reasonably incurred or to be incurred by that party in consequence of the publication in question;
and if no such proceedings as aforesaid are taken, the High Court may, upon application made by the party aggrieved, make any such order for the payment of such costs and expenses as aforesaid as could be made in such proceedings.
(5) For the purposes of this section words shall be treated as published by one person (in this subsection referred to as the publisher) innocently in relation to another person if, and only if, the following conditions are satisfied, that is to say—
(a) that the publisher did not intend to publish them of and concerning that other person, and did not know of circumstances by virtue of which they might be understood to refer to him; or
(b) that the words were not defamatory on the face of them, and the publisher did not know of circumstances by virtue of which they might be understood to be defamatory of that other person,
and in either case that the publisher exercised all reasonable care in relation to the publication; and any reference in this subsection to the publisher shall be construed as including a reference to any servant or agent of the publisher who was concerned with the contents of the publication.
(6) Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply where the party aggrieved proves that he has suffered special damage.
(7) Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply in relation to the publication by any person of words of which he is not the author unless he proves that the words were written by the author without malice.
Justification.
22.—In an action for libel or slander in respect of words containing two or more distinct charges against the plaintiff, a defence of justification shall not fail by reason only that the truth of every charge is not proved, if the words not proved to be true do not materially injure the plaintiff's reputation having regard to the truth of the remaining charges.
Fair comment.
23.—In an action for libel or slander in respect of words consisting partly of allegations of fact and partly of expression of opinion, a defence of fair comment shall not fail by reason only that the truth of every allegation of fact is not proved, if the expression of opinion is fair comment having regard to such of the facts alleged or referred to in the words complained of as are proved.
Qualified privilege of certain newspaper and broadcasting reports.
24.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the publication in a newspaper or the broadcasting by means of wireless telegraphy as part of any programme or service provided by means of a broadcasting station within the State or in Northern Ireland of any such report or other matter as is mentioned in the Second Schedule to this Act shall be privileged unless the publication or broadcasting is proved to be made with malice.
(2) In an action for libel in respect of the publication or broadcasting of any such report or matter as is mentioned in Part II of the Second Schedule to this Act, the provisions of this section shall not be a defence if it is proved that the defendant has been requested by the plaintiff to publish in the newspaper in which the original publication was made or to broadcast from the broadcasting station from which the original broadcast was made, whichever is the case, a reasonable statement by way of explanation or contradiction, and has refused or neglected to do so, or has done so in a manner not adequate or not reasonable having regard to all the circumstances.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as protecting the publication or broadcasting of any matter the publication or broadcasting of which is prohibited by law, or of any matter which is not of public concern and the publication or broadcasting of which is not for the public benefit.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or abridging any privilege subsisting (otherwise than by virtue of section 4 of the Law of Libel Amendment Act, 1888) immediately before the commencement of this Act.
Agreements for indemnity.
25.—An agreement for indemnifying any person against civil liability for libel in respect of the publication of any matter shall not be unlawful unless at the time of the publication that person knows that the matter is defamatory, and does not reasonably believe there is a good defence to any action brought upon it.
Evidence of other damages recovered by plaintiff.
26.—In any action for libel or slander the defendant may give evidence in mitigation of damages that the plaintiff has recovered damages, or has brought actions for damages, for libel or slander in respect of the publication of words to the same effect as the words on which the action is founded, or has received or agreed to receive compensation in respect of any such publication.
Obligation on certain newspaper proprietors to be registered under the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916.
27.—(1) The proprietor of every newspaper having a place of business in the State shall, where such proprietor is not a company registered under the Companies Acts, 1908 to 1959, and is not required under the provisions of the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, to be registered under that Act in respect of the business of carrying on such newspaper, be registered in the manner directed by that Act, and that Act shall apply to such proprietor in like manner as it applies to a firm or individual referred to in section 1 thereof.
(2) Every reference in the Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, to that Act shall be construed as a reference to that Act as extended by subsection (1) of this section.
(3) In this section “newspaper” means any paper containing public news or observations thereon, or consisting wholly or mainly of advertisements, which is printed for sale and is published in the State either periodically or in parts or numbers at intervals not exceeding twenty-six days.
Saving.
28.—Nothing in this Part shall affect the law relating to criminal libel.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
Part I
Acts of the Parliament of Ireland
Session and Chapter | Title |
28 Hen. 8, c. 7 (Ir.). | An Act of Slaunder. |
2 Geo. 1, c. 20 (Ir.). | An Act to limit the time for Criminal Prosecutions for words spoken. |
33 Geo. 3, c. 43 (Ir.). | An Act to remove doubts respecting the functions of juries in cases of libel. |
Part II
Acts of the Parliament of the late United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Session and Chapter | Title |
60 Geo. 3 & 1 Geo. 4, c. 8. | Criminal Libel Act, 1819. |
3 & 4 Vic., c. 9. | Parliamentary Papers Act, 1840. |
6 & 7 Vic., c. 96. | Libel Act, 1843. |
8 & 9 Vic., c. 75. | Libel Act, 1845. |
32 & 33 Vic., c. 24. | Newspapers Printers and Reading Rooms Repeal Act, 1869. |
44 & 45 Vic., c. 60. | Newspaper Libel and Registration Act, 1881. |
51 & 52 Vic., c. 64. | Law of Libel Amendment Act, 1888. |
54 & 55 Vic., c. 51. | Slander of Women Act, 1891. |
SECOND SCHEDULE
Statements having qualified privilege
Part I
Statements privileged without Explanation or Contradiction
1. A fair and accurate report of any proceedings in public of a house of any legislature (including subordinate or federal legislatures) of any foreign sovereign State or any body which is part of such legislature or any body duly appointed by or under the legislature or executive of such State to hold a public inquiry on a matter of public importance.
2. A fair and accurate report of any proceedings in public of an international organization of which the State or the Government is a member or of any international conference to which the Government sends a representative.
3. A fair and accurate report of any proceedings in public of the International Court of Justice and any other judicial or arbitral tribunal deciding matters in dispute between States.
4. A fair and accurate report of any proceedings before a court (including a courtmartial) exercising jurisdiction under the law of any legislature (including subordinate or federal legislatures) of any foreign sovereign State.
5. A fair and accurate copy of or extract from any register kept in pursuance of any law which is open to inspection by the public or of any other document which is required by law to be open to inspection by the public.
6. Any notice or advertisement published by or on the authority of any court in the State or in Northern Ireland or any Judge or officer of such a court.
Part II
Statements privileged subject to Explanation or Contradiction
1. A fair and accurate report of the findings or decision of any of the following associations, whether formed in the State or Northern Ireland, or of any committee or governing body thereof, that is to say:
(a) an association for the purpose of promoting or encouraging the exercise of or interest in any art, science, religion or learning, and empowered by its constitution to exercise control over or adjudicate upon matters of interest or concern to the association or the actions or conduct of any persons subject to such control or adjudication;
(b) an association for the purpose of promoting or safeguarding the interests of any trade, business, industry or profession or of the persons carrying on or engaged in any trade, business, industry or profession and empowered by its constitution to exercise control over or adjudicate upon matters connected with the trade, business, industry or profession or the actions or conduct of those persons;
(c) an association for the purpose of promoting or safeguarding the interests of any game, sport or pastime, to the playing or exercise of which members of the public are invited or admitted, and empowered by its constitution to exercise control over or adjudicate upon persons connected with or taking part in the game, sport or pastime;
being a finding or decision relating to a person who is a member of or is subject by virtue of any contract to the control of the association.
2. A fair and accurate report of the proceedings at any public meeting held in the State or Northern Ireland, being a meeting bona fide and lawfully held for a lawful purpose and for the furtherance or discussion of any matter of public concern whether the admission to the meeting is general or restricted.
3. A fair and accurate report of the proceedings at any meeting or sitting of—
(a) any local authority, or committee of a local authority or local authorities, and any corresponding authority, or committee thereof, in Northern Ireland;
(b) any Judge or Justice acting otherwise than as a court exercising judicial authority and any corresponding person so acting in Northern Ireland;
(c) any commission, tribunal, committee or person appointed, whether in the State or Northern Ireland, for the purposes of any inquiry under statutory authority;
(d) any person appointed by a local authority to hold a local inquiry in pursuance of an Act of the Oireachtas and any person appointed by a corresponding authority in Northern Ireland to hold a local inquiry in pursuance of statutory authority;
(e) any other tribunal, board, committee or body constituted by or under, and exercising functions under, statutory authority, whether in the State or Northern Ireland;
not being a meeting or sitting admission to which is not allowed to representatives of the press and other members of the public.
4. A fair and accurate report of the proceedings at a general meeting, whether in the State or Northern Ireland, of any company or association constituted, registered or certified by or under statutory authority or incorporated by charter, not being, in the case of a company in the State, a private company within the meaning of the Companies Acts, 1908 to 1959, or, in the case of a company in Northern Ireland, a private company within the meaning of the statutes relating to companies for the time being in force therein.
5. A copy or fair and accurate report or summary of any notice or other matter issued for the information of the public by or on behalf of any Government department, local authority or the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána or by or on behalf of a corresponding department, authority or officer in Northern Ireland.