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Uimhir 9 de 1981
AN tACHT DÍOBHÁLACHA MAILÍSEACHA, 1981
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
CUID I
Réamhráiteach agus Ginearálta
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
1.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht Díobhálacha Mailíseacha, 1981, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh sé mhí tar éis dáta a rite.
Léiriú.
2.—San Acht seo—
folaíonn “damáiste”, i ndáil le maoin, an mhaoin a dhíothú go hiomlán nó go páirteach agus aon díobháil don mhaoin;
ciallaíonn “údarás áitiúil” comhairle contae nó bardas contaebhuirge;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Dlí agus Cirt;
folaíonn “maoin” ainmhithe fiaine i mbraighdeanas agus oidhreachtáin neamhchorpracha (lena n-áirítear éasúintí, profits a prendre agus cearta eile) ach ní fholaíonn sí rud nach bhfuil ann ach áineas nó taitneamhacht;
folaíonn “long” gach cineál soithigh, báid agus árthaigh eile, cibé acu is le rámhaí nó ar shlí eile a thiomáintear í.
Feidhmiú.
3.—Ní bheidh éifeacht leis an Acht seo i ndáil le damáiste a rinneadh ná le caillteanas a fulaingíodh roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo.
Aisghairm.
4.—(1) Déantar leis seo na hachtacháin atá leagtha amach sa Sceideal a aisghairm a mhéid a shonraítear i gcolún (3).
(2) Ní bheidh éifeacht leis an aisghairm ar fhorálacha an Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, agus Acht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961, a shonraítear i gcolún (3) den Sceideal, a mhéid a bhaineann na forálacha sin le halt 106 den Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836.
CUID II
Cúiteamh i nDamáiste Mailíseach a Rinneadh do Mhaoin agus i Maoin, a Tógadh go Neamhdhleathach le linn Círéibe, a Chailleadh
Ceart chun cúitimh i ndamáiste mailíseach a rinneadh do mhaoin.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1836 (c. 116) a. 135; 1848 (c. 69) a. 2; 1853 (c. 38) a. 1; 1894 (c. 60) a. 515; 1898 (c. 37) a. 5]
5.—(1) I gcás damáiste, ar mó ná céad punt a mhéid iomlán, a bheith déanta go mailíseach do mhaoin, beidh an duine a d'fhulaing an damáiste i dteideal cúiteamh a fháil ón údarás áitiúil de réir an Achta seo.
(2) Chun críche fho-alt (1), ní mheasfar damáiste bheith déanta go mailíseach ach amháin i gcás—
(a) ar trí ghníomh éagórach arna dhéanamh d'aon ghnó gan chúis ná leithscéal cóir a rinneadh é, nó
(b) ar go hainrianta a rinneadh é, nó
(c) ar go neamhdhleathach a rinneadh é ag triúr nó níos mó, agus iad bailithe le chéile go neamhdhleathach, go círéibeach nó go racánach, nó
(d) ar le linn cion a dhéanamh i gcoinne na maoine a damáistíodh, cibé acu ba chun an cion a dhéanamh nó nárbh ea, a rinneadh é.
(3) Sroichfidh fo-alt (1) chun damáiste do mhaoin atá laistigh d'aon chuan nó laistigh de mhíle slí amach ó theorainn chósta limistéar údaráis áitiúil nó do mhaoin a aistríodh, ar í a thógáil go neamhdhleathach, ó áit laistigh d'aon chuan nó den mhíle slí sin.
(4) Ní bhainfidh an ceart chun cúitimh a thugtar leis an alt seo ach le cúiteamh sa damáiste iarbhír a rinneadh agus ní shroichfidh sé chun cúiteamh in aoin chaillteanas is iarmhairt ar an damáiste iarbhír sin agus, go háirithe, ní shroichfidh sé chun cúiteamh mar gheall ar úsáid na maoine a damáistíodh a chailleadh.
Ceart chun cúitimh mar gheall ar mhaoin a thógáil go neamhdhleathach le linn círéibe.
[Nua]
6.—(1) I gcás triúr nó níos nó a bheidh bailithe le chéile go racánach agus go círéibeach do dhéanamh damáiste go mailíseach, ar mó ná céad punt a mhéid iomlán, d'fhoirgneamh nó do mhaoin laistigh de chúirtealáiste forgnimh agus go ndéanfar, le linn na círéibe, aon mhaoin a thógáil go neamhdhleathach as an bhfoirgneamh, beidh an duine a chaillfidh an mhaoin a tógadh i dteideal cúiteamh a fháil ón údarás áitiúil de réir an Achta seo.
(2) Chun críche fho-alt (1), ní mheasfar damáiste a bheith déanta go mailíseach ach amháin más trí ghníomh éagórach arna dhéanamh d'aon ghnó gan chúis ná leithscéal cóir, nó go hainrianta, a rinneadh é.
(3) Beidh éifeacht freisin le fo-alt (1), i ndáil le long atá laistigh d'aon chuan nó laistigh de mhíle slí amach ó theorainn chósta limistéar údaráis áitiúil, le maoin ar bord loinge den sórt sin agus le maoin den sórt sin a thógáil go neamhdhleathach le linn círéibe.
(4) Ní bhainfidh an ceart chun cúitimh a thugtar leis an alt seo ach le cúiteamh ar aon mhéid le luach na maoine a tógadh agus ní shroichfidh sé chun cúiteamh in aon chaillteanas is iarmhairt ar an maoin a thógáil, agus, go háirithe, ní shroichfidh sé chun cúiteamh mar gheall ar úsáid na maoine a tógadh a chailleadh.
Damáiste ag duine mímheabhrach nó ag leanbh
[Nua i bpáirt]
7.—Ní cosaint é i gcoinne iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo mura ndéanfar ach a shuíomh gur duine mímheabhrach nó leanbh a rinne an damáiste lena mbaineann an t-iarratas.
Fógra go bhfuil ar intinn cúiteamh a éileamh.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. R.C.C. O.52, r.3]
8.—(1) Déanfaidh duine a mbeidh cúiteamh á lórg aige faoin Acht seo, laistigh de cheithre lá dhéag ón am a ndearnadh an damáiste nó ar tógadh an mhaoin, cibé acu é, réamhfhógra a sheirbheáil, de réir an ailt seo, i cibé foirm a fhorordófar le rialacháin ón Aire, á rá go bhfuil ar intinn aige cúiteamh a iarraidh.
(2) Seirbheálfar an réamhfhógra—
(a) i gcás damáiste do mhaoin (seachas maoin lena mbaineann mír (b) nó (c)) agus i gcás cailleadh maoine ar maoin í a tógadh go neamhdhleathach le linn círéibe (seachas cailleadh lena mbaineann mír (d)), ar an údarás áitiúil don limistéar ina ndearnadh an damáiste nó inar tógadh an mhaoin agus ar an gcomhalta i gceannas stáisiún an Gharda Síochána don áit ina ndearnadh an damáiste nó inar tógadh an mhaoin;
(b) i gcás damáiste do mhaoin a aistríodh, ar í a thógáil go neamhdhleathach, ó limistéar údaráis áitiúil amháin go dtí limistéar údaráis áitiúil eile, ar an údarás áitiúil don limistéar ónar aistríodh í agus ar an gcomhalta i gceannas stáisiún an Gharda Síochána don áit ónar aistríodh í;
(c) i gcás damáiste do mhaoin atá laistigh d'aon chuan nó laistigh de mhíle slí amach ó theorainn chósta limistéar údaráis áitiúil nó a aistríodh, ar í a thógáil go neamhdhleathach, ó áit laistigh d'aon chuan nó den mhíle slí sin, ar an údarás áitiúil don áit ar an mórthír is cóngaraí don áit ina ndearnadh an damáiste nó ónar aistríodh an mhaoin agus ar an gcomhalta i gceannas stáisiún an Gharda Síochána don áit sin ar an mórthír;
(d) i gcás cailleadh maoine ar maoin í a tógadh go neamhdhleathach le linn círéibe ó long atá laistigh d'aon chuan nó de mhíle slí amach ó theorainn chósta limistéar údaráis áitiúil, ar an údarás áitiúil don áit ar an mórthír is cóngaraí don áit inar tógadh an mhaoin agus ar an gcomhalta i gceannas stáisiún an Gharda Síochána don áit sin ar an mórthír.
(3) Tabharfaidh an réamhfhógra sonraí faoin am agus faoin áit, a mhéid is féidir le réasún iad a dhéanamh amach, ina ndearnadh an damáiste nó inar tógadh an mhaoin agus tuairisc ar an maoin atá i gceist agus luafaidh sé cineál agus méid an damáiste nó luach na maoine a tógadh, cibé acu é.
Iarratas ar chúiteamh
[cf. 1898 (c. 37) a. 5(3)]
9.—(1) Féadfaidh duine a sheirbheáil réamhfhógra de réir alt 8 iarratas ar chúiteamh a dhéanamh chun na cúirte.
(2) Tabharfar an t-iarratas i gcoinne an údaráis áitiúil ar ar seirbheáladh an réamhfhógra.
Údarás áitiúil eile a uamadh in imeachtaí.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1898 (c. 37) a. 5(3)]
10.—(1) Féadfaidh údarás áitiúil ar ar seirbheáladh réamhfhógra faoi alt 8 scéala a thabhairt, laistigh de cheithre lá dhéag tar éis an fógra a sheirbheáil nó laistigh de cibé tréimhse is faide ná sin a ordóidh an chúirt, d'aon údarás áitiúil eile á rá go bhfuil ar intinn aige a iarraidh ar an gcúirt a ordú go ndéanfar aon chúiteamh a dhámhfar a íoc, go hiomlán nó go páirteach, as cistí an údaráis áitiúil eile sin agus, air sin, tiocfaidh údarás áitiúil a gheobhaidh scéala amhlaidh chun bheith ina pháirtí sna himeachtaí.
(2) Beidh aon rátíocóir de chuid údaráis áitiúil is páirtí sna himeachtaí i dteideal láithriú tráth a bheidh iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo á éisteacht agus i dteideal éisteacht a fháil ón gcúirt i ndáil leis an iarratas sin.
Cúiteamh a dhámhadh.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1836 (c. 116) ailt 135, 140; 1898 (c. 37) a. 5(2)]
11.—(1) Déanfaidh an chúirt, ar iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo a éisteacht, más deimhin léi go bhfuil an t-iarratasóir i dteideal cúiteamh a fháil, cúiteamh a dhámhadh.
(2) I gcás nach mbeidh ach údarás áitiúil amháin ann is páirtí sna himeachtaí, ordóidh an chúirt go n-íocfar an cúiteamh as cistí an údaráis áitiúil sin.
(3) I gcás a mbeidh níos mó ná údarás áitiúil amháin ann is páirtí sna himeachtaí, féadfaidh an chúirt a ordú go n-íocfar an cúiteamh as cistí an údaráis áitiúil nó na n-údarás áitiúil sin a bheidh sonraithe san ordú agus i gcás dhá údarás áitiúla nó níos mó a bheith sonraithe amhlaidh, féadfaidh sí a ordú go ndéanfar an cúiteamh a íoc i cibé comhréir is cuí leis an gcúirt.
Cúiteamh a laghdú nó a eisiamh.
[Nua]
12.—(1) Le linn iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo a bheith á chinneadh, féadfaidh an chúirt méid an chúitimh a dhámhfadh sí murach sin a laghdú cibé suim a mheasfaidh sí bheith cóir cothrom ag féachaint d'iompar ginearálta, sna himthosca, an duine a d'fhulaing an damáiste nó an caillteanas lena mbaineann an t-iarratas, agus ag áireamh, go háirithe, a iompar maidir le haon réamhchúraimí a d'fhéadfadh sé le réasún a ghlacadh chun an damáiste nó an caillteanas a sheachaint.
(2) Laghdóidh an chúirt céad punt méid an chúitimh a dhámhfadh sí, murach an fo-alt seo, d'iarratasóir an chúitimh faoin Acht seo, sa dóigh áfach nach mbeidh an laghdú sin le seasamh ag aon iarratasóir i leith níos mó ná éileamh amháin faoin Acht seo maidir leis an maoin chéanna de bharr gníomhartha a tharla in aon tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag.
(3) Ní bheidh cúiteamh iníoctha faoin Acht seo—
(a) i gcás a gcruthófar chun sástacht na cúirte maidir leis an duine a d'fhulaing an damáiste nó an caillteanas lena mbaineann an t-iarratas, gur chúlcheadaigh sé nó gur éascaigh sé go gníomhach déanamh an damáiste nó tarlú an chaillteanais nó gur chabhraigh sé leis an gcéanna nó go raibh sé, san am nó i dtrátha an ama a ndearnadh an damáiste nó ar fulaingíodh an caillteanas, i gcomhlachas, i gcomhcheangal nó i bpáirt leis an duine ba chúis leis an damáiste nó leis an gcaillteanas;
(b) maidir leis an méid sin den damáiste nó den chaillteanas is inchurtha, i dtuairim na cúirte, i leith aon fhaillí nó mainneachtain ar thaobh an duine a d'fhulaing an damáiste nó an caillteanas bearta réasúnacha a dhéanamh chun méid an chéanna a laghdú;
(c) maidir le haon damáiste nó caillteanas a mhéid a rinneadh cúiteamh ina leith a ghnóthú faoi aon fhoráil reachtúil eile nó faoin dlí coiteann nó a mhéid a rinne an duine, nó a rinneadh thar ceann an duine, ba chúis leis an damáiste nó leis an gcaillteanas leorghníomh ina leith ar dhóigh eile;
(d) maidir le damáiste nó caillteanas—
(i) a tharlóidh do mhonaí, nótaí dlíthairgthe, nótaí bainc, nó airgead reatha aon tíre, d'aon orduithe poist nó orduithe airgid poist nó d'aon stampaí poist nó stampaí greamaitheacha eile, nó
(ii) a tharlóidh d'aon ghréibhlí pearsanta (lena n-áirítear uaireadóirí agus seodra) a choimeádtar seachas mar chuid de stoc trádála, nó
(e) maidir le damáiste do dhéanmhas neamhúdaraithe de réir bhrí na nAchtanna Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1963 agus 1976, nó do dhéanmhas ar seirbheáladh fógra, atá fós i bhfeidhm, ina leith faoi alt 31, 32 nó 35 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1963, nó ar seirbheáladh fógra nó a ndearnadh ordú, atá fós i bhfeidhm, ina leith faoi alt 26 nó 27 den Acht Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1976.
An chúirt ina dtionscnófar iarratas.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1898 (c.37) a.5(3); 1961 (Uimh. 39) an Ceathrú Sceideal ag Uimh. Thag. 53]
13.—(1) Faoi réir fho-ailt (2) agus (3), déanfar gach iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo a thionscnamh—
(a) mura mó ná dhá mhíle cúig chéad punt an méid a éileofar, sa Chúirt Dúiche don dúiche chúirte dúiche ina ndearnadh an damáiste nó inar fulaingíodh an caillteanas lena mbaineann an t-iarratas, agus
(b) más mó ná dhá mhíle cúig chéad punt an méid a éileofar, sa Chúirt Chuarda sa chuaird chúirte cuarda ina ndearnadh an damáiste nó inar fulaingíodh an caillteanas.
(2) I gcás iarratas ar chúiteamh i ndamáiste do mhaoin, más rud é gur aistríodh an mhaoin, ar í a thógáil go neamhdhleathach, ó dhúiche chúirte dúiche amháin go ceann eile nó ó chuaird chúirte cuarda amháin go ceann eile, tionscnófar an t-iarratas sa Chúirt Dúiche sa dúiche chúirte dúiche nó sa Chúirt Chuarda sa chuaird chúirte cuarda, de réir mar is gá sa chás, ónar aistríodh an mhaoin.
(3) I gcás iarratas ar chúiteamh—
(a) i ndamáiste do mhaoin atá laistigh d'aon chuan nó laistigh de mhíle slí amach ó theorainn chósta limistéar údaráis áitiúil nó a aistríodh, ar í a thógáil go neamhdhleathach, ó áit laistigh d'aon chuan nó den mhíle slí sin, nó
(b) i gcailleadh maoine ar maoin í a tógadh go neamhdhleathach le linn círéibe ó long laistigh d'aon chuan nó den mhíle slí sin,
tionscnófar an t-iarratas sa Chúirt Dúiche sa dúiche chúirte dúiche nó sa Chúirt Chuarda sa chuaird chúirte cuarda, de réir mar is gá sa chás, ina bhfuil an áit ar an mórthír is cóngaraí don áit ina ndearnadh an damáiste nó ónar aistríodh nó ónar tógadh an mhaoin.
Rialacha cúirte.
[cf. 1898 (c.37) a.5(7)]
14.—(1) Ní dhéanfar iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo ach amháin de réir rialacha cúirte.
(2) Forálfar i rialacha cúirte lena rialaítear cleachtas agus nós imeachta i ndáil le hiarratais den sórt sin nach gcuirfidh neamhchomhlíonadh na rialacha sin aon imeachtaí ar neamhní mura n-ordóidh an chúirt amhlaidh.
(3) Féadfaidh an chúirt, i ndáil le haon ghníomh nó imeachtaí faoin Acht seo nó faoi rialacha cúirte arna ndéanamh chun críocha an Achta seo, an t-am don ghníomh nó do na himeachtaí sin a shíneadh, nó an gníomh nó na himeachtaí sin a chur i leataobh go hiomlán nó go páirteach, nó é nó iad a leasú nó féadfaidh sí déileáil leis nó leo ar chuma eile i cibé slí agus ar cibé téarmaí a mheasfaidh an chúirt a bheith cóir.
Costais.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1898 (c.37) a.5(6)]
15.—(1) Féadfaidh an chúirt costais a dhámhadh d'aon pháirtí nó i gcoinne aon pháirtí in aon imeachtaí faoin Acht seo agus d'aon rátíocóir nó i gcoinne aon rátíocóir a bheidh ag láithriú ag éisteacht de bhua alt 10 (2) nó 17 (4) agus beidh feidhm in imeachtaí faoin Acht seo ag rialacha cúirte i ndáil le costais, ach amháin a mhéid a fhorálann siad do chostais agus táillí is infheidhme de bhua rialacháin faoi fho-alt (2).
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, rialacháin a dhéanamh ag leagan amach na scálaí costas aturnaetha agus táillí abhcóidí is infheidhme i gcás costais maidir le hiarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo a bheith iníoctha ag údarás áitiúil, agus beidh teorainn dá réir sin leis an gcumhacht atá ag aon choiste déanta rialacha chun rialacha cúirte a dhéanamh.
Éilimh agus lóisteálacha a shocrú.
[Nua]
16.—(1) Féadfaidh údarás áitiúil aon éileamh a thabharfar ina choinne i modh iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo a shocrú aon uair sula gcinnfidh an chúirt an t-iarratas.
(2) Féadfaidh údarás áitiúil in imeachtaí ina choinne faoin Acht seo airgead a lóisteáil sa chúirt agus beidh feidhm ag na rialacha cúirte a bhaineann le lóisteálacha i gcaingne sibhialta (lena n-áirítear na forálacha a bhaineann le costais i gcás lóisteála).
(3) (a) I gcás ina bhfaighidh údarás áitiúil a mbeidh cúiteamh iníoctha aige faoin Acht seo fógra maidir le haon sannadh, morgáiste nó muirear, nó maidir le haon ghníomh nó teagmhas sa dlí, a dhéanfaidh difear don chúiteamh sin, féadfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil méid an chúitimh a íoc isteach sa chúirt agus beidh an íocaíocht sin, go feadh a méid, ina urscaoileadh leordhóthanach don údarás áitiúil.
(b) Féadfaidh an chúirt cibé ordú a dhéanamh is cuí léi chun aon airgead (lena n-áirítear aon ús nó díbhinní air) a íocadh isteach chuici faoi mhír (a) a eisíoc.
Achomhairc.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1898 (c.37) a.5 (4)]
17.—(1) Féadfar achomharc i modh athéisteachta a dhéanamh in aghaidh bhreith ón gCúirt Dúiche chun na Cúirte Cuarda agus in aghaidh bhreith ón gCúirt Chuarda chun na hArd-Chúirte maidir le hiarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo.
(2) Féadfar gur in aghaidh dámhachtain a dheonú nó in aghaidh méid dámhachtana nó in aghaidh dámhachtain a dhiúltú a dhéanfar achomharc.
(3) Féadfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil ar tionscnaíodh an t-iarratas ina choinne, nó aon údarás áitiúil eile ba pháirtí sna himeachtaí nó aon rátíocóir atá i dteideal, de bhua alt 10 (2), láithriú agus éisteacht a fháil, achomharc a dhéanamh i gcoinne dámhachtain a dheonú nó achomharc a dhéanamh ag féachaint le méid dámhachtana a laghdú.
(4) Aon rátíocóir a bhfuil teideal aige de bhua alt 10 (2) láithriú agus éisteacht a fháil tráth a bheidh iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo á éisteacht beidh teideal freisin aige láithriú agus éisteacht a fháil tráth a bheidh achomharc in aghaidh breithe ar an iarratas sin á éisteacht.
Cásanna a shonrú chun tuairim na Cúirte Uachtaraí a fháil.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1857 (c.43) ailt 2, 4; 1961 (Uimh. 39) ailt 51, 52; 1947 (Uimh. 20) a.16]
18.—(1) (a) Cúirt a mbeidh aon imeachtaí faoin Acht seo á n-éisteacht aici féadfaidh sí uaithi féin nó, más cuí léi é, ar iarratas ón iarratasóir, ó údarás áitiúil is páirtí sna himeachtaí nó ó aon rátíocóir a bhfuil teideal aige, de bhua alt 10 (2), láithriú agus éisteacht a fháil sna himeachtaí, cás a shonrú chun tuairim na Cúirte Uachtaraí a fháil ar aon cheist dlí a éireoidh ag an éisteacht agus féadfaidh sí cibé ordú a dhéanamh is cuí léi maidir leis na costais san ábhar.
(b) Féadfar achomharc a dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte maidir le hiarratas a mbeidh diúltaithe dó faoi mhír (a) agus is breith chríochnaitheach neamh-inachomhairc breith na Cúirte sin.
(2) (a) In aon imeachtaí a éistfear agus a chinnfear faoin Acht seo, féadfaidh an t-iarratasóir, údarás áitiúil ba pháirtí sna himeachtaí nó aon rátíocóir a bhfuil teideal aige de bhua alt 10 (2) láithriú agus éisteacht a fháil sna himeachtaí, i gcás é a bheith míshásta le cinneadh na cúirte mar go bhfuil sé earráideach ar phone dlí, iarratas a dhéanamh i scríbhinn chun na cúirte sin laistigh de cheithre lá dhéag tar éis an chinnte chun cás a shonrú agus a shíniú ag leagan amach na bhfíoras agus forais an chinnte chun tuairim na Cúirte Uachtaraí a fháil orthu agus féadfaidh an chúirt cás a shonrú agus a shíniú de réir an iarratais agus cibé ordú a dhéanamh i dtaobh na gcostas san ábhar is cuí léi.
(b) Féadfar achomharc a dhéanamh chun na hArd-Chúirte in aghaidh diúltú a tugadh d'iarratas faoi mhír (a), agus is breith chríochnaitheach neamh-inachomhairc breith na Cúirte sin.
(c) I gcás ina gceadóidh an Ard-Chúirt an t-achomharc, ordóidh sí don chúirt a rinne an cinneadh cás a shonrú agus a shíniú de réir an iarratais.
(3) Ar iarratas a dhéanamh faoi fho-alt (2) (a) déanfar an cinneadh a bhfuil an t-iarratas á dhéanamh ina leith a fhionraí—
(a) i gcás ina ngéillfear don iarratas, nó i gcás ina ndiúltófar don iarratas agus go gceadófar achomharc in aghaidh an diúltaithe, go dtí go mbeidh an cás a sonraíodh éiste agus cinneadh déanta air,
(b) i gcás ina ndiúltófar don iarratas agus nach mbeidh achomharc in aghaidh an diúltaithe taiscthe, go dtí go mbeidh ceithre lá dhéag caite tar éis an diúltaithe.
(4) Beidh alt 2 den Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857 (arna leathnú le halt 51 d'Acht na gCúirteanna (Forálacha Forlíontacha), 1961), alt 52 den Acht deiridh sin agus alt 16 den Acht Cúirteanna Breithiúnais, 1947, gan éifeacht i ndáil le himeachtaí faoin Acht seo.
Cúiteamh a ghnóthú ó iarratasóir buaiteach in imthosca áirithe.
[Nua]
19.—(1) (a) I gcás—
(i) cúiteamh a bheith dáfa faoin Acht seo, agus
(ii) gur íocadh nó go n-íocfar dá éis sin i leith an damáiste nó an chaillteanais áirithe, mar chúiteamh nó mar leorghníomh den sórt a luaitear in alt 12 (3) (c), aon suim nár cuireadh i gcuntas faoin bhforáil sin tráth na dámhachtana a dhéanamh,
tabharfaidh an duine a fuair an tsuim sin scéala láithreach don údarás áitiúil lena mbaineann agus, faoi réir fho-alt (2), aisíocfaidh sé láithreach leis an údarás áitiúil méid an chúitimh a dámhadh, más ionann an méid sin agus an tsuim sin nó más lú ná an tsuim sin é, nó méid is ionann agus an tsuim sin más mó méid an chúitimh ná an tsuim sin.
(b) I gcás cúiteamh a bheith dáfa agus gur ordaigh an chúirt go n-íocfaí é as cistí dhá údarás áitiúla nó níos mó, tabharfar scéala do gach údarás díobh faoi réim agus de réir mhír (a) agus beidh na méideanna a bheidh le haisíoc leo faoi réim agus de réir na míre sin sa chomhréir chéanna, faoi seach, a d'ordaigh an chúirt nuair a bhí an dámhadh á dhéanamh.
(2) I gcás cúiteamh a bheith dáfa faoin Acht seo agus gur tionscnaíodh nó go dtionsnófar dá éis sin imeachtaí sibhialta in aon chúirt in aghaidh an duine ba chúis leis an damáiste nó leis an gcaillteanas áirithe i leith an ghníomh as ar eascair an t-iarratas ar chúiteamh, agus
(a) go ndámhfaidh an chúirt damáistí in aghaidh an duine sin i bhfabhar an ghearánaí sna himeachtaí, nó
(b) go gcomhaontóidh na páirtithe na himeachtaí a shocrú i gcomaoin an duine sin d'íoc méid comhaontaithe damáistí leis an ngearánaí sna himeachtaí nó chun tairbhe dó,
féadfaidh an chúirt a ordú don duine sin na damáistí a dámhadh nó ar ar comhaontaíodh amhlaidh, nó aon chuid díobh, a íoc isteach sa chúirt.
(3) I gcás ina ndéanfaidh an chúirt ordú faoi fho-alt (2), ordóidh sí—
(a) go n-íocfar le haon údarás áitiúil áirithe lena mbaineann as aon airgead a íocadh isteach sa chúirt faoi ordú na cúirte cibé méid a d'aisíocfaí leis an údarás áitiúil sin faoi fho-alt (1) dá mba gur íocadh an t-airgead sin leis an iarratasóir ar chúiteamh, agus
(b) go ndéanfar iarmhéid an airgid, más aon iarmhéid é, a íocadh isteach sa chúirt faoi fho-alt (2), a íoc leis an iarratasóir ar chúiteamh nó go ndéileálfar leis ar chuma eile chun tairbhe dó i cibé slí is cuí leis an gcúirt,
agus aon suim a íocadh amhlaidh le húdarás áitiúil de bhua an ordaithe ón gcúirt, measfar gur faoi fho-alt (1) a íocadh í.
(4) (a) Más rud é, ar iarratas chun na cúirte ó údarás áitiúil, gur deimhin leis an gcúirt—
(i) gur íoc an t-údarás áitiúil cúiteamh ar scór dámhachtana faoin Acht seo le haon duine, agus
(ii) nach ndearna an duine sin na fíorais go léir a bhain leis an gcinneadh ar an iarratas áirithe ar chúiteamh a nochtadh go hiomlán agus go fírinneach,
féadfaidh an chúirt ordú a dhéanamh á cheangal ar an duine sin méid an chúitimh nó cibe cuid de a ordóidh an chúirt, maille le haon chostais a d'íoc an t-údarás áitiúil sna himeachtaí bunaidh, a aisíoc leis an údarás áitiúil.
(b) I mír (a) ciallaíonn “an chúirt” an chúirt a dháimh an cúiteamh.
(5) Beidh éifeacht le fo-ailt (1), (2) agus (4) i ndáil le héileamh a shocrófar faoi alt 16 (1) ionann is dá mba dhámhadh cúitimh faoin Acht seo an socrú.
(6) Aon suim a cheanglaítear a aisíoc faoi fho-alt (1) nó (4) agus a bheidh gan aisíoc beidh sí inghnóthaithe ag an údarás áitiúil áirithe mar fhiach conartha shimplí i gcúirt dlínse inniúla.
(7) (a) Aon duine a gcuireann fo-alt (1), nó an fo-alt sin arna chur chun feidhme le fo-alt (5), de cheangal air scéala a thabhairt d'údarás áitiúil go bhfuair sé aon suim i modh cúitimh nó leorghnímh agus a mhainneoidh gan cúis réasúnach sin a dhéanamh beidh sé, gan dochar dá dhliteanas faoin bhfo-alt sin aon suim a aisíoc leis an údarás áitiúil, ciontach i gcion agus dlífear, ar é a chiontú go hachomair, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná sé mhí, nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile, a chur air.
(b) (i) I gcás a gcruthófar, maidir le cion faoi mhír (a) a rinne comhlacht corpraithe, go ndearnadh é le toiliú nó le cúlcheadú, nó gur inchurtha é i leith aon fhaillí ar thaobh, aon duine is stiúrthóir ar an gcomhlacht nó arb é bainisteoir nó rúnaí an chomhlachta é nó ar oifigeach eile mar iad don chomhlacht é, nó aon duine a d'airbheartaigh bheith ag gníomhú in aon cháil den sórt sin, beidh an duine sin chomh maith leis an gcomhlacht corpraithe ciontach sa chion sin agus dlífear imeachtaí a shaothrú ina choinne agus é a phionósú dá réir sin.
(ii) i gcás gnóthaí comhlachta chorpraithe a bheith á mbainistí ag a chomhaltaí, beidh feidhm ag fomhír (1) i ndáil le gníomhartha agus mainneachtaintí a dhéanfaidh comhalta i ndáil lena fheidhmeanna bainistíochta ionann is dá mba stiúrthóir ar an gcomhlacht corpraithe é.
Aisíoc le húdarás áitiúil i gcás cúiteamh a bheith níos mó ná toradh áirithe ó rátaí.
[Nua]
20.—(1) I gcás ar mó an costas a bheidh ar údarás áitiúil, mar gheall ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo ná an méid a thabharfadh ráta fiche pingin sa phunt in aon bhliain airgeadais áitiúil, aisíocfaidh an tAire Comhshaoil méid na breise leis an údarás áitiúil as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire Airgeadais, tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh leis an Aire Comhshaoil, aon uair agus a mhinice is cuí leis sin a dhéanamh, an ráta sa phunt dá bhforáiltear le fo-alt (1) nó le hordú a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire faoin bhfo-alt seo a athrú le hordú.
Údarás áitiúil do ghnóthú ranníoca.
[Nua]
21.—(1) Chun údarás áitiúil a ndearnadh dámhadh ina choinne ar iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo do ghnóthú ranníoca agus chuige sin amháin, measfar gur éagóiritheoirí comhthráthacha de réir bhrí an Achta um Dhliteanas Sibhialta, 1961, an t-údarás áitiúil agus an duine nó na daoine ba chúis leis an damáiste nó leis an gcaillteanas lena mbaineann an t-iarratas agus beidh feidhm agus éifeacht le forálacha Chaibidil II de Chuid III den Acht sin a mhéid is infheidhme iad chun críche an ailt seo.
(2) Chun críche fho-alt (1), déanfar aon tagairt do dhamáistí sna forálacha a chuirtear chun feidhme leis an bhfo-alt sin a fhorléiriú mar thagairt do chúiteamh faoin Acht seo.
Maoin a aisghabhfar tar éis cúiteamh a íoc.
[Nua]
22.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfar maoin a tógadh go neamhdhleathach agus ar íoc údarás áitiúil cúiteamh ina leith faoin Acht seo a aisghabháil, tiocfaidh an t-údarás áitiúil chun bheith agus beidh siad ina n-úinéirí ar an maoin agus beidh siad i dteideal í a dhiúscairt ar cibé slí is oiriúnach leo.
(2) Más rud é, maidir leis an maoin sin, gur íoc dhá údarás áitiúla nó níos mó cúiteamh i gcomhréireanna a d'ordaigh an chúirt faoi alt 11(3), tiocfaidh na húdaráis áitiúla sin chun bheith agus beidh siad ina gcomhúinéirí ar an maoin sna comhréireanna céanna agus beidh siad i dteideal í a dhiúscairt ar cibé slí ar a gcomhaontóidh siad.
Tréimhse theorann do chaingne.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1957 (Uimh. 6) a. 11]
23.—(1) Ní thosófar imeachtaí faoin Acht seo tar éis trí bliana a bheith caithe ón dáta a d'fhaibhrigh an chúis chaingne.
(2) Faibhreoidh cúis chaingne faoin Acht seo an dáta a sheirbheálfar réamhfhógra faoi alt 8.
(3) Beidh feidhm ag alt 49(1) (a bhaineann leis an tréimhse theorann i gcás míchumais) de Reacht na dTréimhsí, 1957, maidir le ceart caingne faoin Acht seo ionann is dá mba rud é, i mír (a) den fho-alt sin, gur thagairt don Acht seo an tagairt don Acht sin, agus ionann is dá gcuirfí “trí bliana” in ionad “sé bliana”.
Srian le halt 685 den Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
[Nua]
24.—Ní shroichfidh an dlínse faoi alt 685 den Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, chun iarratas ar chúiteamh faoin Acht seo.
Fógraí a sheirbheáil.
[Nua i bpáirt. cf. 1898 (c. 37) a. 5(7); R.C.C. 0.52, rialacha 3,6]
25.—(1) Aon fhógra a bheidh le seirbheáil faoin Acht seo féadfar é a sheirbheáil leis an bpost agus, má sheirbheáiltear amhlaidh é, is leis an bpost cláraithe a sheirbheálfar é.
(2) I gcás fógra faoin Acht seo a sheirbheáil thar ceann duine measfar, chun críocha an Achta seo, gur sheirbheáil an duine féin an fógra.
Cumhacht chun an méid a shonraítear in ailt 5(1), 6(1), 12(2) a athrú.
[Nua]
26.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, aon uair agus a mhinice is cuí leis sin a dhéanamh, an méid a shonraítear in ailt 5 (1), 6 (1) agus 12 (2) a athrú.
Orduithe agus rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
27.—Gach ordú agus gach rialachán a dhéanfar faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus, má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an t-ordú nó an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid rún a rith ag neamhniú an ordaithe nó an rialacháin, beidh an t-ordú nó an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin ordú nó faoin rialachán.
AN SCEIDEAL
Na hAchtacháin A Aisghairtear
Seisiún agus Caibidil nó Uimhir agus Bliain | Gearrtheideal | Méid na hAisghairme |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
6 & 7 Will, IV, c. 116. | Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836. | Ailt 135, 137, 139, 140 agus 141. |
11 & 12 Vict. c. 69. | Malicious Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1848. | An tAcht go léir. |
16 & 17 Vict. c. 38. | Malicious Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1853 | An tAcht go léir. |
57 & 58 Vict. c. 60 | Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. | Alt 515. |
61 & 62 Vict. c. 37 | Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898. | Alt 5 agus Cuid I den Chéad Sceideal. |
Uimh. Thag. 53 sa Cheathrú Sceideal. |
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836 | 1836, c. 116 |
An tAcht Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1976 | |
Na hAchtanna Rialtais Áitiúil (Pleanáil agus Forbairt), 1963 agus 1976 | |
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 | 1894, c. 60 |
Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857 | 1857, c. 43 |
Giorrúcháin Imill | |
1836 (c. 116) | — Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836 |
1848 (c. 69) | — Malicious Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1848 |
1853 (c. 38) | — Malicious Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1853 |
1894 (c. 60) | — Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 |
1898 (c. 37) | — Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 |
1961 (Uimh. 39) | |
R.C.C. | — Na Rialacha Cúirte Cuarda, 1950 |
Number 9 of 1981
MALICIOUS INJURIES ACT, 1981
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Section | |
Compensation for Malicious Damage to Property and for Loss of Property Unlawfully Taken During Riot
Enactments Repealed
Acts Referred to | |
1961, No. 41 | |
1947, No. 20 | |
1961, No. 39 | |
Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836 | 1836, c. 116 |
1963, No. 28 | |
1976, No. 20 | |
Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976 | |
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 | 1894, c. 60 |
1957, No. 6 | |
Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857 | 1857, c. 43 |
Marginal Abbreviations | |
1836 (c. 116) | — Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836 |
1848 (c. 69) | — Malicious Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1848 |
1853 (c. 38) | — Malicious Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1853 |
1894 (c. 60) | — Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 |
1898 (c. 37) | —- Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898 |
1961 (No. 39) | |
R.C.C. | — The Rules of the Circuit Court, 1950 |
Number 9 of 1981
MALICIOUS INJURIES ACT, 1981
PART I
Preliminary and General
Short title and commencement.
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Malicious Injuries Act, 1981.
(2) This Act shall come into operation six months after the date of its passing.
Interpretation.
2.—In this Act—
“damage”, in relation to property, includes the total or partial destruction of the property and any injury thereto;
“local authority” means the council of a county or the corporation of a county borough;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Justice;
“property” includes wild animals in captivity and incorporeal here-ditaments (including easements, profits a prendre and other rights) but not a mere pleasure or amenity;
“ship” includes every description of vessel, boat and other craft, whether or not propelled by oars.
Application.
3.—This Act shall not have effect in relation to damage caused or loss suffered before the commencement of this Act.
Repeals.
4.—(1) The enactments set out in the Schedule are hereby repealed to the extent specified in column (3).
(2) The repeal of the provisions of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, and the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961, specified in column (3) of the Schedule shall not have effect in so far as those provisions relate to section 106 of the Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836.
PART II
Compensation for Malicious Damage to Property and for Loss of Property Unlawfully Taken during Riot
Right to compensation for malicious damage to property.
[New in pt. cf. 1836 (c. 116) s. 135; 1848 (c. 69) s. 2; 1853 (c. 38) s. 1; 1894 (c. 60) s. 515; 1898 (c. 37) s. 5]
5.—(1) Where damage, the aggregate amount of which exceeds one hundred pounds, is maliciously caused to property, the person who suffers the damage shall be entitled to obtain compensation from the local authority in accordance with this Act.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), damage shall be taken to be maliciously caused only if caused—
(a) by a wrongful act done intentionally without just cause or excuse, or
(b) wantonly, or
(c) unlawfully by three or more persons unlawfully, riotously or tumultuously assembled together, or
(d) in the course of, whether or not for the purpose of, the committing of a crime against the property damaged.
(3) Subsection (1) shall extend to damage to property which is within any harbour or within one mile beyond the coastal boundary of a local authority area or which, having been unlawfully taken, is removed from within any harbour or such one mile.
(4) The right to compensation given by this section shall be limited to compensation for the actual damage caused and shall not extend to compensation for any loss consequential on such actual damage and, in particular, shall not extend to compensation for the loss of the use of the property damaged.
Right to compensation for unlawful taking of property during riot.
[New]
6.—(1) Where three or more persons who are tumultuously and riotously assembled together maliciously cause damage, the aggregate amount of which exceeds one hundred pounds, to a building or to property within the curtilage of a building and, in the course of the riot, any property is unlawfully taken from the building, the person who suffers the loss of the property taken shall be entitled to obtain compensation from the local authority in accordance with this Act.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), damage shall be taken to be maliciously caused only if caused by a wrongful act done intentionally without just cause or excuse or wantonly.
(3) Subsection (1) shall also have effect in relation to a ship which is within any harbour or within one mile beyond the coastal boundary of a local authority area, to property on board such ship and to the unlawful taking of such property during a riot.
(4) The right to compensation given by this section shall be limited to compensation of an amount equal to the value of the property taken and shall not extend to compensation for any loss consequential on the taking of the property and, in particular, shall not extend to compensation for the loss of the use of the property taken.
Damage by person of unsound mind or child.
[New in pt.]
7.—It shall not be a defence to an application for compensation under this Act merely to show that the damage to which the application relates was caused by a person of unsound mind or by a child.
Notice of intention to claim compensation.
[New in pt. cf. R.C.C. O. 52, r. 3]
8.—(1) A person seeking compensation under this Act shall, within fourteen days after, as the case may be, the damage was caused or the property was taken, serve, in accordance with this section, preliminary notice, in such form as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister, of his intention to apply for compensation.
(2) The preliminary notice shall be served—
(a) in the case of damage to property (other than property to which paragraph (b) or (c) relates) and in the case of loss of property unlawfully taken during a riot (other than loss to which paragraph (d) relates), upon the local authority for the area in which the damage was caused or the property was taken and upon the member in charge of the Garda Síochána station for the place where the damage was caused or the property was taken;
(b) in the case of damage to property which, having been unlawfully taken, was removed from the area of one local authority to the area of another local authority, upon the local authority for the area from which it was removed and upon the member in charge of the Garda Síochána station for the place from which it was removed;
(c) in the case of damage to property which is within any harbour or within one mile beyond the coastal boundary of a local authority area or which, having been unlawfully taken, was removed from within any harbour or such one mile, upon the local authority for the place on shore nearest the place where the damage was caused or from which the property was removed and upon the member in charge of the Garda Síochána station for that place on shore;
(d) in the case of loss of property unlawfully taken during a riot from a ship which is within any harbour or within one mile beyond the coastal boundary of a local authority area, upon the local authority for the place on shore nearest the place where the property was taken and upon the member in charge of the Garda Síochána station for that place on shore.
(3) The preliminary notice shall give particulars of the time and place, so far as they may reasonably be ascertained, at which the damage was caused or the property was taken and a description of the property concerned and shall state the nature and amount of the damage or the value of the property taken, as the case may be.
Application for compensation.
[cf. 1898 (c. 37) s. 5 (3)]
9.—(1) A person who has served a preliminary notice in accordance with section 8 may make an application to the court for compensation.
(2) The application shall be brought against the local authority upon which the preliminary notice has been served.
Joinder of other local authority in proceedings.
[New in pt cf.1898 (c. 37) s. 5 (3)]
10.—(1) A local authority upon which a preliminary notice under section 8 has been served may, within fourteen days after service of the notice or such further period as may be directed by the court, notify any other local authority that it intends to request the court to order that any compensation awarded shall be paid, either in whole or in part, out of the funds of such other local authority and a local authority so notified shall thereupon become a party to the proceedings.
(2) Any ratepayer of a local authority which is a party to the proceedings shall be entitled to appear at the hearing of an application for compensation under this Act and be heard by the court in relation thereto.
Award of compensation.
[New in pt. cf. 1836 (c. 116) ss. 135. 140; 1898(c. 37) s.5(2)]
11.—(1) The court, on hearing an application for compensation under this Act, if satisfied that the applicant is entitled to compensation, shall award compensation.
(2) Where there is only one local authority which is a party to the proceedings, the court shall order that the compensation shall be paid out of the funds of that local authority.
(3) Where there is more than one local authority which is a party to the proceedings, the court may order that the compensation shall be paid out of the funds of such local authority or local authorities as shall be specified in the order and, where two or more local authorities are so specified, may order that the compensation shall be paid in such proportions as to the court seems proper.
Reduction or exclusion of compensation.
[New]
12.—(1) In determining an application for compensation under this Act, the court may reduce the amount of the compensation it would otherwise award by such sum as it thinks just and equitable having regard to the general conduct, in the circumstances, of the person who suffered the damage or loss to which the application relates, including, in particular, his conduct as respects any precautions which might reasonably have been taken by him to avoid the damage or loss.
(2) The court shall reduce by one hundred pounds the amount of the compensation it would, but for this subsection, award to an applicant for compensation under this Act, so however that no applicant may suffer such reduction in respect of more than one claim under this Act for the same property as a result of acts occurring during any period of twelve months.
(3) Compensation shall not be payable under this Act—
(a) where it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that the person who suffered the damage or loss to which the application relates connived at, assisted in or actively facilitated the causing of the damage or loss or was, at or about the time the damage was caused or the loss was suffered, associated with, combined with or in league with the person by whom the damage or loss was caused;
(b) in respect of so much of the damage or loss as, in the opinion of the court, is attributable to any neglect or failure on the part of the person who suffered the damage or loss to take reasonable steps to minimise the extent thereof;
(c) in respect of any damage or loss to the extent that compensation therefor has been recovered under any other statutory provision or under the common law or to the extent that reparation therefor has otherwise been made by or on behalf of the person who caused the damage or loss;
(d) in respect of damage to or loss of—
(i) coins, legal tender notes, bank notes, or currency of any country, any postal orders or post office money orders or any postage or other adhesive stamps, or
(ii) articles of personal ornament (including watches and jewellery) kept otherwise than as part of stock-in-trade, or
(e) in respect of damage to an unauthorised structure within the meaning of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Acts, 1963 and 1976, or to a structure in respect of which a notice under section 31, 32 or 35 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, has been served and is in force or a notice or order under section 26 or 27 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976, has been served or made and is in force.
Court in which application is to be brought.
[New in pt. cf. 1898 (c. 37) s. 5 (3); 1961 (No. 39) Fourth Schedule at Ref. No. 53]
13.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), every application for compensation under this Act shall be brought—
(a) if the amount claimed does not exceed two thousand five hundred pounds, in the District Court in the district court district in which the damage or loss to which the application relates was caused, and
(b) if the amount claimed exceeds two thousand five hundred pounds, in the Circuit Court in the circuit court circuit in which the damage or loss to which the application relates was caused.
(2) In the case of an application for compensation for damage to property, if the property, having been unlawfully taken, was removed from one district court district to another or from one circuit court circuit to another, the application shall be brought in the District Court in the district court district or in the Circuit Court in the circuit court circuit, as the case may require, from which the property was removed.
(3) In the case of an application for compensation—
(a) for damage to property which is within any harbour or within one mile beyond the coastal boundary of a local authority area or which, having been unlawfully taken, was removed from within any harbour or such one mile, or
(b) for the loss of property unlawfully taken during a riot from a ship within any harbour or such one mile,
the application shall be brought in the District Court in the district court district or in the Circuit Court in the circuit court circuit, as the case may require, in which the place on shore nearest the place where the damage was caused or from which the property was removed or taken is situate.
Rules of court.
[cf. 1898 (c 37) s. 5(7)]
14.—(1) An application for compensation under this Act shall not be made except in accordance with rules of court.
(2) Rules of court regulating the practice and procedure in relation to such applications shall provide that non-compliance therewith shall not render any proceedings void unless the court shall so direct.
(3) The court may, in relation to any act or proceedings under this Act or under rules of court made for the purposes of this Act, extend the time for, set aside either wholly or in part, amend or otherwise deal with in such manner and on such terms as the court may think just, such act or proceedings.
Costs.
[New in pt. cf. 1898 (c. 37) s.5(6)]
15.—(1) The court may award costs to or against any party to any proceedings under this Act and to or against any ratepayer appearing at a hearing by virtue of section 10 (2) or 17 (4) and rules of court in relation to costs, except in so far as they provide for costs and fees applicable by virtue of regulations under subsection (2), shall apply in proceedings under this Act.
(2) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, make regulations setting out the scales of solicitors' costs and fees of counsel which will be applicable where the costs of an application for compensation under this Act are payable by a local authority, and the power of any rule-making committee to make rules of court shall be limited accordingly.
Settling of claims and lodgments.
[New]
16.—(1) A local authority may settle any claim brought against it by way of an application for compensation under this Act at any time before the application is determined by the court.
(2) A local authority in proceedings against it under this Act may lodge moneys in court and the rules of court relating to lodgments in civil actions (including the provisions relating to costs in the case of a lodgment) shall apply.
(3) (a) Where a local authority by which compensation is payable under this Act receives notice of any assignment, mortgage or charge, or of any act or event in the law, affecting such compensation, the local authority may pay the amount of the compensation into court and such payment shall to the extent thereof be a sufficient discharge to the local authority.
(b) The court may make such order as it deems proper for the disbursement of any moneys (including any interest or dividends thereon) paid into it under paragraph (a).
Appeals.
[New in pt. cf. 1898 (c. 37) s. 5 (4)]
17.—(1) An appeal by way of a re-hearing shall lie against a decision of the District Court to the Circuit Court and against a decision of the Circuit Court to the High Court on an application for compensation under this Act.
(2) An appeal may be against the grant of an award, the amount of an award or the refusal of an award.
(3) An appeal against the grant of an award or an appeal seeking a reduction of the amount of an award may be taken by the local authority against which the application was brought, by any other local authority that was a party to the proceedings or by any ratepayer entitled by virtue of section 10 (2) to appear and be heard.
(4) Any ratepayer who is entitled by virtue of section 10 (2) to appear and be heard at the hearing of an application for compensation under this Act shall be entitled also to appear and be heard at the hearing of an appeal against a decision on such application.
Cases stated for opinion of Supreme Court.
[New in pt. cf. 1857 (c. 43) ss. 2.4; 1961 (No. 39) ss. 51, 52; 1947 (No. 20) s. 16]
18.—(1) (a) A court hearing any proceedings under this Act may, on its own motion or, if it so thinks proper, at the request of the applicant, a local authority which is a party to the proceedings or any ratepayer entitled by virtue of section 10 (2) to appear and be heard in the proceedings, state a case for the opinion of the Supreme Court on any question of law arising during the hearing and may make such order as to costs in the matter as it thinks proper.
(b) An appeal shall lie to the High Court against the refusal of a request under paragraph (a) and the decision of that Court shall be final and unappealable.
(2) (a) In any proceedings heard and determined under this Act, the applicant, a local authority which was a party to the proceedings or any ratepayer entitled by virtue of section 10 (2) to appear and be heard in the proceedings may, if dissatisfied with the determination of the court as being erroneous on a point of law, apply in writing within fourteen days after the determination to that court to state and sign a case setting forth the facts and the grounds of the determination for the opinion thereon of the Supreme Court and the court may state and sign a case in accordance with the application and make such order as to costs in the matter as it thinks proper.
(b) An appeal shall lie to the High Court against the refusal of an application under paragraph (a) and the decision of that Court shall be final and unappealable.
(c) Where the High Court allows the appeal, it shall order the court which made the determination to state and sign a case in accordance with the application.
(3) Upon the making of an application under subsection (2) (a) the determination in respect of which it is made shall be suspended—
(a) where the application is granted, or where the application is refused and an appeal against the refusal is allowed, until the case stated has been heard and determined,
(b) where the application is refused and an appeal against the refusal has not been lodged, until the expiration of fourteen days after the refusal.
(4) Section 2 of the Summary Jurisdiction Act, 1857 (as extended by section 51 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act, 1961), section 52 of the latter Act and section 16 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1947, shall not have effect in relation to proceedings under this Act.
Recovery from successful applicant in certain circumstances.
[New]
19.—(1) (a) Where—
(i) compensation has been awarded under this Act, and
(ii) there has been or there is subsequently paid in respect of the damage or loss concerned, by way of such compensation or reparation as is mentioned in section 12 (3) (c), any sum which was not taken into account under that provision at the time of the making of the award,
the person receiving such sum shall forthwith notify the local authority concerned and shall, subject to subsection (2), forthwith reimburse to the local authority the amount of the compensation awarded, if that amount is equal to or less than that sum, or an amount equal to that sum if the amount of the compensation is greater than that sum.
(b) Where compensation has been awarded and the court has ordered that it be paid out of the funds of two or more local authorities, each of them shall be notified under and in accordance with paragraph (a) and the amounts to be reimbursed to them under and in accordance with that paragraph shall be in the same proportions, respectively, as were ordered by the court when making the award.
(2) Where compensation has been awarded under this Act and civil proceedings have been or are subsequently instituted in any court against the person who caused the damage or loss concerned in respect of the act which gave rise to the application for compensation, and
(a) the court awards damages against that person in favour of the plaintiff in the proceedings, or
(b) the parties agree to settle the proceedings in consideration of the payment by that person to or for the benefit of the plaintiff in the proceedings of an agreed amount of damages,
the court may order that person to pay the damages so awarded or agreed, or any part thereof, into court.
(3) Where the court makes an order under subsection (2), it shall direct—
(a) the payment to any local authority concerned out of any money paid into court under the order of the court of such amount as would have been reimbursed to such local authority under subsection (1), if that money had been paid to the applicant for compensation, and
(b) that the balance, if any, of the money paid into court under subsection (2) shall be paid to the applicant for compensation or otherwise dealt with for his benefit in such manner as the court considers proper,
and any amount so paid to a local authority by virtue of the direction of the court shall be deemed to have been paid under subsection (1).
(4) (a) Where, on an application to the court by a local authority, the court is satisfied that—
(i) the local authority has paid compensation on foot of an award under this Act to any person, and
(ii) that person failed to make full and true disclosure of all the facts material to the determination of the application for compensation concerned,
the court may make an order requiring that person to reimburse to the local authority the amount of the compensation or such part thereof as the court may direct, together with any costs paid by the local authority in the original proceedings.
(b) In paragraph (a) “the court” means the court that made the award of compensation.
(5) Subsections (1), (2) and (4) shall have effect in relation to a claim which is settled under section 16(1) as if the settlement were an award of compensation under this Act.
(6) Any sum required to be reimbursed under subsection (1) or (4) and which is not reimbursed shall be recoverable by the local authority concerned as a simple contract debt in a court of competent jurisdiction.
(7) (a) Any person who is required by subsection (1), or by that subsection as applied by subsection (5), to notify a local authority of the receipt of any sum by way of compensation or reparation and fails to do so without reasonable cause shall, without prejudice to his liability under that subsection to reimburse any sum to the local authority, be guilty of an offence and shall, on summary conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding £500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
(b) (i) Where an offence under paragraph (a) which has been committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of that offence and be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
(ii) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subparagraph (i) shall apply in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director of the body corporate.
Refund to local authority where compensation exceeds certain produce of rates.
[New]
20.—(1) Where the cost to a local authority of compensation under this Act exceeds the produce of a rate of twenty pence in the pound in any local financial year, the amount of the excess shall be refunded by the Minister for the Environment to the local authority out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
(2) The Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister for the Environment, may, whenever and so often as he thinks proper so to do, by order vary the rate in the pound provided for by subsection (1) or by an order for the time being in force under this subsection.
Recovery of contribution by local authority.
[New]
21.—(1) For the purpose, and only for the purpose, of the recovery of contribution by a local authority against which an award has been made on an application for compensation under this Act, the local authority and the person or persons who caused the damage or loss to which the application relates shall be deemed to be concurrent wrongdoers within the meaning of the Civil Liability Act, 1961, and the provisions of Chapter II of Part III of that Act shall, in so far as they are applicable for the purpose of this section, apply and have effect.
(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), any reference to damages in the provisions applied by that subsection shall be construed as a reference to compensation under this Act.
Property recovered after payment of compensation.
[New]
22.—(1) Where property which was unlawfully taken and in respect of which compensation has been paid under this Act by a local authority is recovered, the local authority shall become and be the owners of the property and shall be entitled to dispose of it in such manner as they think fit.
(2) Where, in respect of such property, compensation has been paid by two or more local authorities in proportions ordered by the court under section 11 (3), those local authorities shall become and be joint owners of the property in the like proportions and shall be entitled to dispose of it in such manner as they may agree.
Limitation of actions.
[New in pt. cf. 1957 (No. 6) s. 11]
23.—(1) Proceedings under this Act shall not be commenced after the expiration of three years from the date on which the cause of action accrued.
(2) A cause of action under this Act shall accrue on the date of the service of a preliminary notice under section 8.
(3) Section 49 (1) (which relates to limitation in case of disability) of the Statute of Limitations, 1957, shall apply to a right of action under this Act as if, in paragraph (a) of that subsection, the reference to that Act were a reference to this Act and for “six years” there were substituted “three years”.
Restriction of section 685 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
[New]
24.—The jurisdiction under section 685 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, shall not extend to an application for compensation under this Act.
Service of notices.
[New in pt. cf. 1898 (c.37) s. 5 (7); R.C.C. 0.52, rs. 3,6]
25.—(1) Any notice to be served under this Act may be served by post and, if so served, shall be served by registered post.
(2) Service of a notice under this Act on behalf of a person shall be deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to be service of the notice by the person.
Power to vary amount specified in sections 5 (1), 6 (1), 12 (2).
[New]
26.—The Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, may, whenever and so often as he thinks proper so to do, by order vary the amount specified in sections 5 (1), 6 (1) and 12 (2).
Laying of orders, regulations before Houses of Oireachtas.
27.—Every order and regulation made under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next subsequent twenty-one days on which the House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
SCHEDULE
Enactments Repealed
Session and Chapter or Number and Year | Short Title | Extent of Repeal |
(1) | (2) | (3) |
6 & 7 Will. IV, c. 116. | Grand Jury (Ireland) Act, 1836. | Sections 135, 137, 139, 140 and 141. |
11 & 12 Vict. c. 69. | Malicious Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1848. | The whole Act. |
16 & 17 Vict. c. 38. | Malicious Injuries (Ireland) Act, 1853. | The whole Act. |
57 & 58 Vict. c. 60. | Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. | Section 515. |
61 & 62 Vict. c. 37. | Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898. | Section 5 and Part I of the First Schedule. |
No. 39 of 1961. | Ref. No. 53 in the Fourth Schedule. |