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Uimhir 19 de 1989
AN tACHT UM THOIRMEASC AR GHRÍOSÚ CHUN FUATHA, 1989
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Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Uimhir 19 de 1989
AN tACHT UM THOIRMEASC AR GHRÍOSÚ CHUN FUATHA, 1989
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “craoladh” tarchur, leaschraoladh nó leathadh a dhéanamh, trí radaiteileagrafaíocht nó ar aon slí eile, nó trí radaiteileagrafaíocht i dteannta aon slí eile, ar chumarsáidí, fuaimeanna, síneacha, amharc-íomhánna nó comharthaí, a bhfuil sé beartaithe go nglacfar go díreach iad ag an bpobal i gcoitinne cibé acu a ghlactar nó nach nglactar na cumarsáidí, na fuaimeanna, na síneacha, na hamharc-íomhánna nó na comharthaí sin iarbhír;
ciallaíonn “leathadh” leathadh ar an bpobal nó ar chuid den phobal agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “fuath” fuath do ghrúpa daoine sa Stát nó in áit eile mar gheall ar a gcine, a ndath, a náisiúntacht, a gcreideamh, a mbunadh eitneach nó náisiúnta, toisc gur den lucht siúil iad nó mar gheall ar a gclaonadh gnéasach;
ciallaíonn “foilsiú” foilsiú don phobal nó do chuid den phobal agus forléireofar focail ghaolmhara dá réir sin;
ciallaíonn “taifeadadh” aon taifead ónar féidir, ar aon slí, amharcíomhánna nó fuaimeanna a atáirgeadh, agus aon tagairtí do thaifeadadh a leathadh, a thaispeáint nó a sheinm is tagairtí iad dá leathadh, dá thaispeáint nó dá sheinm don phobal nó do chuid den phobal agus forléireofar “leathadh”, “taispeáint” agus “seinm”, agus focail ghaolmhara, i ndáil le taifeadadh, dá réir sin;
folaíonn “ábhar scríofa” aon sín nó aon amharc-léiriú eile.
(2) San Acht seo—
(a) forléireofar aon tagairt d'aon achtachán, mura n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt, mar thagairt don achtachán sin arna leasú nó arna leathnú le haon achtachán ina dhiaidh sin,
(b) aon tagairt d'alt is tagairt í d'alt den Acht seo mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'achtachán éigin eile atá beartaithe,
(c) aon tagairt d'fho-alt nó do mhír is tagairt í don fho-alt nó don mhír den fhoráil ina bhfuil an tagairt, mura gcuirtear in iúl gur tagairt d'fhoráil éigin eile atá beartaithe.
Gníomhartha ar dóigh dóibh fuath a adhaint.
2.—(1) Is cion é do dhuine—
(a) ábhar scríofa a fhoilsiú nó a leathadh,
(b) focail a úsáid, é féin a iompar nó ábhar scríofa a chur ar taispeáint—
(i) in aon áit seachas laistigh d'áit chónaí phríobháideach, nó
(ii) laistigh d'áit chónaí phríobháideach ionas go gcloisfidh nó go bhfeicfidh daoine lasmuigh den áit chónaí na focail, an t-iompar nó an t-ábhar,
nó
(c) taifeadadh d'amharc-íomhánna nó d'fhuaimeanna a leathadh, a thaispeáint nó a sheinm,
má tá an t-ábhar scríofa, na focail, an t-iompar, na hamharc-íomhánna nó na fuaimeanna, de réir mar a bheidh, bagrach, maslach nó tarcaisneach agus má tá siad beartaithe chun fuath a adhaint nó, ag féachaint d'imthosca uile an cháis, gur dóigh dóibh fuath a adhaint.
(2) (a) In imeachtaí i leith ciona faoi fho-alt (1), mura suitear, maidir leis an duine cúisithe, gur bheartaigh sé fuath a adhaint is cosaint dó a chruthú nárbh eol dó cad a bhí san ábhar nó sa taifeadadh áirithe agus nach raibh drochamhras air agus nach raibh aon chúis aige drochamhras a bheith air go raibh an t-ábhar nó an taifeadadh bagrach, maslach nó tarcaisneach.
(b) In imeachtaí i leith ciona faoi fho-alt (1) (b), is cosaint don duine cúisithe—
(i) a chruthú go raibh sé laistigh d'áit chónaí phríobháideach ag an am iomchuí agus nach raibh aon chúis aige a chreidiúint go gcloisfeadh nó go bhfeicfeadh duine lasmuigh den áit chónaí na focail, an t-iompar nó an t-ábhar áirithe, nó
(ii) mura suitear go raibh beartaithe aige fuath a adhaint, a chruthú nár bheartaigh sé go mbeadh na focail, an t-iompar nó an t-ábhar áirithe bagrach, maslach nó tarcaisneach agus narbh eol dó go bhféadfaidís a bheith amhlaidh.
(3) San alt seo ciallaíonn “áit chónaí phríobháideach” aon déanmhas (lena n-áirítear puball, carbhán, feithicil, soitheach nó déanmhas sealadach nó sochorraithe eile) nó cuid de dhéanmhas den sórt sin a úsáidtear mar theaghais ach ní fholaíonn sé aon chuid nach n-úsáidtear amhlaidh ná aon chuid ina mbíonn cruinniú poiblí á thionól; agus sa mhíniú seo ciallaíonn “cruinniú poiblí” cruinniú a bhfuil an pobal i dteideal a bheith i láthair aige ar íocaíocht nó ar shlí eile agus ó cheart nó de bhua ceada shainráite nó intuigthe.
Craoltaí ar dóigh dóibh fuath a adhaint.
3.—(1) Má chraoltar mír lena mbaineann amharc-íomhánna nó fuaimeanna bagracha, maslacha nó tarcaisneacha, beidh gach duine de na daoine a luaitear i bhfo-alt (2) ciontach i gcion má bheartaíonn sé trí sin a dhéanamh fuath a adhaint nó, ag féachaint do na himthosca uile, más dóigh go n-adhainfear fuath trí sin a dhéanamh.
(2) Is iad na daoine dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1):
(a) an duine a sholáthraíonn an tseirbhís chraolta áirithe,
(b) aon duine is léiritheoir nó is stiúrthóir ar an mír áirithe, agus
(c) aon duine a bhfuil a chuid focal nó a iompar sa mhír áirithe bagrach, maslach nó tarcaisneach.
(3) In imeachtaí in aghaidh duine dá dtagraítear i mír (a) nó (b) d'fho-alt (2) i leith ciona faoin alt seo, mura suitear maidir leis an duine go raibh sé beartaithe aige fuath a adhaint, is cosaint dó a chruthú—
(a) nach raibh a fhios aige agus nach raibh aon chúis aige drochamhras a bheith air go mbainfeadh an mhír áirithe leis an ábhar lena mbaineann an cion, nó
(b) i gcás seachas cás lena mbaineann mír (a), nárbh fhéidir leis le réasún a áirithiú go dtógfaí amach an t-ábhar a dúradh, ag féachaint do na himthosca inar craoladh an mhír.
(4) In imeachtaí in aghaidh duine dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) (b) i leith ciona faoin alt seo, is cosaint don duine a chruthú nach raibh a fhios aige agus nach raibh aon chúis aige drochamhras a bheith air—
(a) go gcraolfaí an mhír, nó
(b) gur in imthosca de chineál ar dhóigh dóibh fuath a adhaint a chraolfaí an mhír.
(5) In imeachtaí in aghaidh duine dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) (c) i leith ciona faoin alt seo, is cosaint don duine a chruthú nach raibh a fhios aige agus nach raibh aon chúis aige drochamhras a bheith air—
(a) go gcraolfaí mír ina n-úsáidfí an t-ábhar lena mbaineann an cion, nó
(b) gur in imthosca de chineál ar dhóigh dóibh fuath a adhaint a chraolfaí an mhír.
(6) In imeachtaí i leith ciona faoin alt seo, is cosaint don duine a chúiseofar a chruthú nach raibh a fhios aige agus nach raibh aon chúis aige drochamhras a bheith air go raibh an t-ábhar lena mbaineann an cion bagrach, maslach nó tarcaisneach.
(7) In aon imeachtaí i leith ciona faoin alt seo a líomhnaítear a bheith déanta maidir le mír—
(a) aon scríbhinn ar ar bunaíodh an mhír is fianaise í i dtaobh a raibh ar áireamh sa mhír agus i dtaobh an mhodha inar taibhíodh an mhír nó aon chuid di, agus
(b) má thugtar scríbhinn den sórt sin i bhfianaise thar ceann aon pháirtí sna himeachtaí, ansin, ach amháin a mhéid a shuitear a mhalairt, cibé acu le fianaise a thabharfar thar ceann an pháirtí chéanna nó aon pháirtí eile, glacfar leis gur taibhíodh an mhír de réir na scríbhinne sin.
(8) (a) Má bhíonn cúis réasúnach ag comhalta den Gharda Síochána, nach bhfuil faoi bhun chéim cheannfoirt, drochamhras a bheith air—
(i) go ndearna duine cion faoin alt seo maidir le mír a bhí ar áireamh i gcraoladh, nó
(ii) go bhfuil mír le bheith ar áireamh amhlaidh agus gur dóigh go ndéanfaidh duine cion faoin alt seo maidir leis an mír,
féadfaidh sé ordú a dhéanamh i scríbhinn faoin alt seo ag údarú d'aon chomhalta den Gharda Síochána—
(I) ag aon tráth nó tráthanna laistigh de mhí amháin ó dháta déanta an ordaithe, ar é do thabhairt cóip den ordú ar aird má iarrtar amhlaidh, a cheangal ar aon duine a bheidh ainmnithe san ordú—
(A) scríbhinn ar a raibh nó, de réir mar a bheidh, ar a mbeidh, an mhír a dúradh bunaithe, nó
(B) taifeadadh a bheidh déanta ar aon ábhar a áiríodh sa mhír nó, de réir mar a bheidh, a áireofar sa mhír,
a thabhairt ar aird más ann dá leithéid,
agus
(II) má thugtar an scríbhinn nó an taifeadadh ar aird dó, a cheangal ar an duine caoi a thabhairt dó chun a chur faoi deara cóip díobh a dhéanamh.
(b) Aon ordú a dhéanfar faoin bhfo-alt seo beidh sé sínithe ag an duine a rinne é, ainmneofar ann an duine a bhfuil sé dírithe air agus tabharfar tuairisc ann ar an mír lena mbaineann sé ar mhodh a bheidh leordhóthanach le go bhféadfar an mhír a aithint.
(c) Beidh aon duine ciontach i gcion a mhainneoidh nó a dhiúltóidh gan chúis réasúnach ceanglas a dhéantar de bhun ordú faoi mhír (a) a chomhlíonadh.
(d) Más rud é, i gcás míre a bheidh bunaithe ar scríbhinn, go ndearna comhalta den Gharda Síochána nó go ndearnadh thar a cheann, de bhua ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo a bhaineann leis an mír, cóip de scríbhinn ar a raibh an mhír bunaithe, beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (7) i ndáil leis an gcóip sin amhail mar atá feidhm aige i ndáil le scríbhinn ar a raibh an mhír bunaithe; agus measfar, maidir le doiciméad a airbheartaíonn a bheith ina chóip den scríbhinn agus a bheith sínithe ag an gcomhalta, gur cóip den sórt sin é, chun críocha an ailt seo, agus gur síníodh amhlaidh é mura suífear a mhalairt.
(e) Maidir le haon ní a dhéantar faoin bhfo-alt seo nó de bhun ordaithe faoin bhfo-alt seo nó maidir le scríbhinn nó taifeadadh den sórt sin a dúradh, nó cóip díobh, a úsáid go heisiach chun an t-alt seo a fhorfheidhmiú—
(i) ní sárú é ar an gcóipcheart d'aon saothar, taifeadadh fuaime, scannán cineamatagrafach nó craoladh teilifíse nó fuaime, ná
(ii) ní cion é faoi aon cheann d'fhorálacha an Achta um Chosaint Taibheoirí, 1968.
(9) San alt seo ciallaíonn “scríbhinn” i ndáil le mír, téacs na míre (cibé acu arna shonrú i bhfocail nó i nodaireacht cheoil nó i nodaireacht eile) mar aon le haon treoracha maidir lena thaibhiú, cibé acu is i ndoiciméad amháin dó nó nach ea.
Ábhar a ullmhú agus a bheith i seilbh ábhair ar dóigh dó fuath a adhaint.
4.—(1) Is cion a bheidh ann do dhuine—
(a) aon ábhar scríofa a ullmhú nó a bheith ina sheilbh le hintinn é a leathadh, a chur ar taispeáint, a chraoladh nó a fhoilsiú, ar shlí eile, sa Stát nó in áit eile, cibé acu aige féin nó ag duine eile, nó
(b) taifeadadh fuaimeanna nó amharc-íomhánna a dhéanamh nó a bheith ina sheilbh le hintinn é a leathadh, a thaispeáint, a sheinm, a chraoladh nó a fhoilsiú, ar shlí eile, sa Stát nó in áit eile, cibé acu aige féin nó ag duine eile,
i gcás an t-ábhar nó an taifeadadh a bheith bagrach, maslach nó tarcaisneach agus go mbeartaítear fuath a adhaint leis nó, ag féachaint do na himthosca go léir, lena n-áirítear cibé leathadh, cur ar taispeáint, craoladh, taispeáint, seinm nó foilsiú eile den chéanna atá ar intinn ag an duine, nó a d'fhéadfaí a thuiscint le réasún a bheith ar intinn aige, gur dóigh dó fuath a adhaint.
(2) In imeachtaí i leith ciona faoin alt seo, mura suitear maidir leis an duine cúisithe go raibh sé beartaithe aige fuath a adhaint, is cosaint dó a chruthú nach raibh a fhios aige cad a bhí san ábhar nó sa taifeadadh áirithe agus nach raibh drochamhras air agus nach raibh aon chúis aige drochamhras a bheith air go raibh an t-ábhar nó an taifeadadh bagrach, maslach nó tarcaisneach.
(3) In imeachtaí i leith ciona faoin alt seo, i gcás go gcruthaítear go raibh an duine cúisithe i seilbh ábhair nó taifeadta den sórt dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (1) agus gur réasúnach a bheith den bharúil nach raibh an t-ábhar nó an taifeadadh beartaithe le haghaidh úsáid phearsanta an duine, toimhdeofar maidir leis, go dtí go gcruthófar a mhalairt, go raibh sé i seilbh an ábhair nó an taifeadta de shárú ar fho-alt (1).
Cosaintí do thuairiscí ar imeachtaí i dTithe an Oireachtais nó ar imeachtaí breithiúnacha.
5.—Ní bhaineann ailt 2, 3 agus 4—
(a) le tuairisc chóir bheacht ar imeachtaí i gceachtar Teach den Oireachtas nó i gcoiste den Oireachtas nó de cheachtar Teach díobh nó le tuairisc nó foilseachán oifigiúil den Oireachtas nó de cheachtar Teach díobh nó de choiste den sórt sin, ná
(b) le tuairisc chóir bheacht ar imeachtaí a éisteadh go poiblí os comhair cúirte nó binse a bheidh ag feidhmiú feidhmeanna nó cumhachtaí de chineál breithiúnach, i gcás go bhfoilsítear an tuairisc go comhaimseartha leis na himeachtaí nó, i gcás nach indéanta sin go réasúnach nó i gcás é bheith neamhdhleathach tuairisc orthu a fhoilsiú go comhaimseartha, a luaithe is indéanta agus is dleathach le réasún foilsiú a dhéanamh.
Pionóis.
6.—Duine a bheidh ciontach i gcion faoi alt 2, 3 nó 4 dlífear—
(a) ar é a chiontú go hachomair fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 6 mhí, nó iad araon, a chur air, nó
(b) ar é a chiontú ar díotáil, fíneáil nach mó ná £10,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 2 bhliain, nó iad araon, a chur air.
Cionta ag comhlachtaí corpartha.
7.—(1) I gcás cion faoin Acht seo a bheith déanta ag comhlacht corpraithe agus go gcruthófar go ndearnadh an cion le toiliú nó le cúlcheadú nó gurb inchurtha é i leith aon fhaillí ar thaobh duine is stiúrthóir, bainisteoir nó rúnaí ar an gcomhlacht corpraithe nó is oifigeach eile dá samhail don chomhlacht corpraithe nó duine a d'airbheartaigh a bheith ag gníomhú in aon cháil den sórt sin, beidh an duine sin mar aon leis an gcomhlacht corpraithe ciontach i gcion agus dlífear imeachtaí a thionscnamh ina choinne agus é a phionósú amhail is dá mbeadh sé ciontach sa chion céadluaite.
(2) Más rud é go mbeidh gnóthaí comhlachta chorpraithe á mbainisteoireacht ag a chomhaltaí, beidh feidhm ag fo-alt (1) i ndáil le gníomhartha agus mainneachtnaí comhalta i dtaca lena fheidhmeanna bainisteoireachta amhail is dá mba stiúrthóir ar an gcomhlacht corpraithe é.
Ní ghlacfar imeachtaí áirithe ach amháin ag an Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí nó lena thoiliú.
8.—I gcás go gcúisítear duine i gcion faoi alt 2, 3, nó 4, ní ghlacfar aon imeachtaí breise maidir leis an ábhar (seachas aon athchur i gcoimeád nó faoi bhannaí) ach amháin ag an Stiúrthóir Ionchúiseamh Poiblí nó lena thoiliú.
Cuardach agus urghabháil.
9.—(1) (a) Más deimhin le breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche nó le Feidhmeannach Síochána, de thoradh faisnéise faoi mhionn ó chomhalta den Gharda Síochána nach bhfuil faoi bhun chéim sháirsint, go bhfuil forais réasúnacha ann chun drochamhras a bheith air go bhfuil ábhar nó taifeadadh ar shárú ar alt 4 a bheith ina sheilbh, nó go bhfuil scríbhinn nó taifeadadh dá dtagraítear in alt 3 (8) in aon áitreabh nó ag aon áitreabh nó áit eile, féadfaidh sé barántas a eisiúint faoina láimh ag údarú d'aon chomhalta den Gharda Síochána, i gcuideachta aon chomhaltaí eile den Gharda Síochána, ag aon tráth nó tráthanna laistigh de mhí amháin ó dháta eisiúna an bharántais, ar an mbarántas a thabhairt ar aird má iarrtar amhlaidh, dul isteach, le forneart más gá, agus an t-áitreabh nó an áit eile a shonraítear sa bharántas a chuardach agus—
(i) aon taifeadadh, ábhar nó scríbhinn den sórt sin mar a dúradh a gheofar ann a urghabháil, agus
(ii) a cheangal ar aon duine a gheofar ann a ainm agus a sheoladh a thabhairt.
(b) Ní eiseoidh breitheamh den Chúirt Dúiche ná Feidhmeannach Síochána barántas faoi mhír (a) i ndáil le scríbhinn nó taifeadadh dá dtagraítear in alt 3 (8) mura deimhin leis trí fhaisnéis faoi mhionn—
(i) go ndearnadh ceanglas a shonraítear i bhfomhír (I) d'alt 3 (8) (a) i ndáil leis agus nár comhlíonadh é,
(ii) go ndearnadh an ceanglas a shonraítear i bhfomhír (II) d'alt 3 (8) (a) i ndáil leis agus nár comhlíonadh é, nó
(iii) gur gá, sna himthosca go léir, an barántas a eisiúint d'ainneoin nach ndearnadh i ndáil leis ceanglas a shonraítear san fhomhír sin (I) nó an ceanglas a shonraítear san fhomhír sin (II).
(2) Aon duine—
(a) a choiscfidh nó a bhacfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána a bheidh ag gníomhú faoi údarás barántais faoin alt seo, nó
(b) a bhfaighidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána, a bheidh ag gníomhú mar a dúradh, é san áitreabh nó ag an áitreabh nó ag áit nó in áit eile a bheidh sonraithe sa bharántas agus a mhainníonn nó a dhiúltaíonn a ainm agus a sheoladh a thabhairt don chomhalta nuair a éilíonn an comhalta air é nó a thugann ainm nó seoladh dó atá bréagach nó míthreorach,
beidh sé ciontach i gcion agus dlífear ar é a chiontú go hachomair—
(i) más cion faoi mhír (a) an cion, fíneáil nach mó ná £1,000 nó príosúnacht ar feadh téarma nach faide ná 6 mhí nó an fhíneáil agus an phríosúnacht le chéile a chur air, nó
(ii) más cion faoi mhír (b) an cion, fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air.
(3) San alt seo folaíonn “áitreabh” feithicil, soitheach, aerárthach nó sciorrárthach nó suiteáil sna farraigí teorann nó i limistéar ainm nithe (de réir bhrí an Achta um an Scairbh Ilchríochach, 1968) nó puball, carbhán nó déanmhas sealadach nó sochorraithe eile; agus féadfar glacadh leis, chun críocha dlínse breithimh den Chúirt Dúiche faoin alt seo, gur in aon áit sa Stát atá soitheach nó sciorrárthach nó suiteáil den sórt sin mar a dúradh.
Cumhachtaí gabhála.
10.—(1) Má bhíonn drochamhras, le réasún, ar chomhalta den Gharda Síochána go ndearna duine cion faoi alt 2 (1) (b), féadfaidh sé an duine sin a ghabháil gan bharántas.
(2) Má bhíonn drochamhras, le réasún, ar chomhalta den Gharda Síochána go ndearna duine cion faoin Acht seo (seachas cion faoi alt 2 (1) (b) nó 9 (2) (b)), féadfaidh sé a cheangal air a ainm agus a sheoladh a thabhairt dó agus, má mhainníonn an duine, nó má dhiúltaíonn sé, déanamh amhlaidh nó má thugann sé ainm nó seoladh a bhfuil drochamhras le réasún ar an gcomhalta é bheith bréagach nó míthreorach, féadfaidh an comhalta an duine sin a ghabháil gan bharántas.
(3) Féadfaidh comhalta den Gharda Síochána a bheidh ag gníomhú faoi údarás barántais faoi alt 9 duine a ghabháil gan bharántas ar duine é a bhfuil drochamhras, le réasún, ar an gcomhalta go ndearna sé cion faoi fho-alt (2) (b) den alt sin.
Forghéilleadh.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an chúirt a chiontóidh duine i gcion, nó ar os a comhair a chiontófar duine i gcion, faoi alt 2, 3, nó 4, a ordú go ndéanfar aon ábhar scríofa nó aon taifeadadh, a suífear chun sástacht na cúirte go mbaineann sé leis an gcion, a fhorghéilleadh agus a scriosadh nó a chur de láimh ar shlí eile i cibé dóigh a chinnfidh an chúirt.
(2) Ní ordóidh cúirt ábhar scríofa nó taifeadadh a fhorghéilleadh faoin alt seo má dhéanann duine a éilíonn gur leis é nó go bhfuil leas ar shlí eile aige ann, iarratas ar éisteacht a fháil ón gcúirt, mura rud é go mbeidh deis tugtha dó chun cúis a shuíomh cén fáth nár chóir an t-ordú a dhéanamh.
(3) Ní bheidh éifeacht le haon ordú faoin alt seo go dtí go mbeidh an gnáth-am chun achomharc a thionscnamh in aghaidh an chiontaithe nó an ordaithe lena mbaineann imithe in éag nó, i gcás go dtionscnófar achomharc den sórt sin, go dtí go gcinnfear go críochnaitheach é nó aon achomharc breise nó go dtréigfear é nó go dtí go mbeidh an gnáth-am chun aon achomharc breise a thionscnamh imithe in éag.
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
12.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Thoirmeasc ar Ghríosú chun Fuatha, 1989, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh mí amháin tar éis dháta a rite.
Number 19 of 1989
PROHIBITION OF INCITEMENT TO HATRED ACT, 1989
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Acts Referred to | |
1968, No. 14 | |
Performers' Protection Act, 1968 | 1968, No. 19 |
Number 19 of 1989
PROHIBITION OF INCITEMENT TO HATRED ACT, 1989
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“broadcast” means the transmission, relaying or distribution by wireless telegraphy or by any other means or by wireless telegraphy in conjunction with any other means of communications, sounds, signs, visual images or signals, intended for direct reception by the general public whether such communications, sounds, signs, visual images or signals are actually received or not;
“distribute” means distribute to the public or a section of the public and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;
“hatred” means hatred against a group of persons in the State or elsewhere on account of their race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, membership of the travelling community or sexual orientation;
“publish” means publish to the public or a section of the public and cognate words shall be construed accordingly;
“recording” means any record from which visual images or sounds may, by any means, be reproduced, and references to the distribution, showing or playing of a recording are to its distribution, showing or playing to the public or a section of the public and “distribute”, “show” and “play”, and cognate words, in relation to a recording, shall be construed accordingly;
“written material” includes any sign or other visual representation.
(2) In this Act—
(a) a reference to any enactment shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or extended by any subsequent enactment,
(b) a reference to a section is a reference to a section of this Act unless it is indicated that reference to some other enactment is intended,
(c) a reference to a subsection or paragraph is a reference to the subsection or paragraph of the provision in which the reference occurs unless it is indicated that reference to some other provision is intended.
Actions likely to stir up hatred.
2.—(1) It shall be an offence for a person—
(a) to publish or distribute written material,
(b) to use words, behave or display written material—
(i) in any place other than inside a private residence, or
(ii) inside a private residence so that the words, behaviour or material are heard or seen by persons outside the residence,
or
(c) to distribute, show or play a recording of visual images or sounds,
if the written material, words, behaviour, visual images or sounds, as the case may be, are threatening, abusive or insulting and are intended or, having regard to all the circumstances, are likely to stir up hatred.
(2) (a) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1), if the accused person is not shown to have intended to stir up hatred, it shall be a defence for him to prove that he was not aware of the content of the material or recording concerned and did not suspect, and had no reason to suspect, that the material or recording was threatening, abusive or insulting.
(b) In proceedings for an offence under subsection (1) (b), it shall be a defence for the accused person—
(i) to prove that he was inside a private residence at the relevant time and had no reason to believe that the words, behaviour or material concerned would be heard or seen by a person outside the residence, or
(ii) if he is not shown to have intended to stir up hatred, to prove that he did not intend the words, behaviour or material concerned to be, and was not aware that they might be, threatening, abusive or insulting.
(3) In this section “private residence” means any structure (including a tent, caravan, vehicle, vessel or other temporary or moveable structure) or part of such a structure used as a dwelling but does not include any part not so used or any part in which a public meeting is being held; and in this definition “public meeting” means a meeting at which the public are entitled to be present, on payment or otherwise and as of right or by virtue of an express or implied permission.
Broadcasts likely to stir up hatred.
3.—(1) If an item involving threatening, abusive or insulting visual images or sounds is broadcast, each of the persons mentioned in subsection (2) is guilty of an offence if he intends thereby to stir up hatred or, having regard to all the circumstances, hatred is likely to be stirred up thereby.
(2) The persons referred to in subsection (1) are:
(a) the person providing the broadcasting service concerned,
(b) any person by whom the item concerned is produced or directed, and
(c) any person whose words or behaviour in the item concerned are threatening, abusive or insulting.
(3) In proceedings against a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (2) for an offence under this section, if the person is not shown to have intended to stir up hatred, it is a defence for him to prove—
(a) that he did not know and had no reason to suspect that the item concerned would involve the material to which the offence relates, or
(b) in a case other than one to which paragraph (a) relates, that, having regard to the circumstances in which the item was broadcast, it was not reasonably practicable for him to secure the removal of the material aforesaid.
(4) In proceedings against a person referred to in subsection (2) (b) for an offence under this section, it is a defence for the person to prove that he did not know and had no reason to suspect—
(a) that the item would be broadcast, or
(b) that the circumstances in which the item would be broadcast would be such that hatred would be likely to be stirred up.
(5) In proceedings against a person referred to in subsection (2) (c) for an offence under this section, it is a defence for the person to prove that he did not know and had no reason to suspect—
(a) that an item involving the use of the material to which the offence relates would be broadcast, or
(b) that the circumstances in which such an item would be broadcast would be such that hatred would be likely to be stirred up.
(6) In proceedings for an offence under this section, it is a defence for the person charged to prove that he did not know, and had no reason to suspect, that the material to which the offence relates was threatening, abusive or insulting.
(7) In any proceedings for an offence under this section alleged to have been committed in respect of an item—
(a) a script on which the item was based shall be evidence of what was included in the item and of the manner in which the item or any part of it was performed, and
(b) if such a script is given in evidence on behalf of any party to the proceedings, then, except in so far as the contrary is shown, whether by evidence given on behalf of the same or any other party, the item shall be taken to have been performed in accordance with that script.
(8) (a) If a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of superintendent has reasonable grounds for suspecting—
(i) that an offence under this section has been committed by a person in respect of an item included in a broadcast, or
(ii) that an item is to be so included and that an offence under this section is likely to be committed by a person in respect of the item,
he may make an order in writing under this section authorising any member of the Garda Síochána—
(I) at any time or times within one month from the date of the making of the order, on production if so requested of a copy of the order, to require any person named in the order to produce, if such a thing exists—
(A) a script on which the item aforesaid was or, as the case may be, will be based, or
(B) a recording of any matter which was or, as the case may be, will be included in the item,
and
(II) if the script or recording is produced to him, to require the person to afford him an opportunity of causing a copy thereof to be made.
(b) An order under this subsection shall be signed by the person by whom it is made, shall name the person to whom it is directed and shall describe the item to which it relates in a manner sufficient to enable the item to be identified.
(c) Any person who without reasonable excuse fails or refuses to comply with a requirement made pursuant to an order under paragraph (a) shall be guilty of an offence.
(d) Where, in the case of an item based on a script, a copy of a script on which the item was based has been made by or on behalf of a member of the Garda Síochána by virtue of an order under this subsection relating to the item, subsection (7) shall apply in relation to that copy as it applies in relation to a script on which the item was based; and a document purporting to be a copy of the script and to be signed by the member shall be deemed, for the purposes of this section, to be such a copy and to be so signed unless the contrary is shown.
(e) Nothing done under this subsection or in pursuance of an order under this subsection or the use of a script or recording such as aforesaid or a copy thereof exclusively for the purposes of the enforcement of this section shall constitute—
(i) an infringement of the copyright of any work, sound recording, cinematograph film or television or sound broadcast, or
(ii) an offence under any of the provisions of the Performers' Protection Act, 1968.
(9) In this section “script”, in relation to an item, means the text of the item (whether expressed in words or in musical or other notation) together with any directions for its performance, whether contained in a single document or not.
Preparation and possession of material likely to stir up hatred.
4.—(1) It shall be an offence for a person—
(a) to prepare or be in possession of any written material with a view to its being distributed, displayed, broadcast or otherwise published, in the State or elsewhere, whether by himself or another, or
(b) to make or be in possession of a recording of sounds or visual images with a view to its being distributed, shown, played, broadcast or otherwise published, in the State or elsewhere, whether by himself or another,
if the material or recording is threatening, abusive or insulting and is intended or, having regard to all the circumstances, including such distribution, display, broadcasting, showing, playing or other publication thereof as the person has, or it may reasonably be inferred that he has, in view, is likely to stir up hatred.
(2) In proceedings for an offence under this section, if the accused person is not shown to have intended to stir up hatred, it shall be a defence for him to prove that he was not aware of the content of the material or recording concerned and did not suspect, and had no reason to suspect, that the material or recording was threatening, abusive or insulting.
(3) In proceedings for an offence under this section, where it is proved that the accused person was in possession of material or a recording such as is referred to in subsection (1) and it is reasonable to assume that the material or recording was not intended for the personal use of the person, he shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, to have been in possession of the material or recording in contravention of subsection (1).
Savings for reports of proceedings in Houses of Oireachtas or judicial proceedings.
5.—Sections 2, 3 and 4 do not apply to—
(a) a fair and accurate report of proceedings in either House of the Oireachtas or a committee of the Oireachtas or of either such House or an official report or publication of the Oireachtas or either such House or such a committee, or
(b) a fair and accurate report of proceedings publicly heard before a court, or a tribunal exercising functions or powers of a judicial nature, where the report is published contemporaneously with the proceedings or, if it is not reasonably practicable or would be unlawful to publish a report of them contemporaneously, as soon as publication is reasonably practicable and lawful.
Penalties.
6.—A person guilty of an offence under section 2, 3 or 4 shall be liable—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or
(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding £10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.
Offences by bodies corporate.
7.—(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of a person being a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate, or a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, that person as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished as if he were guilty of the first-mentioned offence.
(2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, subsection (1) 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.
Certain proceedings only by or with consent of Director of Public Prosecutions.
8.—Where a person is charged with an offence under section 2, 3 or 4, no further proceedings in the matter (other than any remand in custody or on bail) shall be taken except by or with the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Search and seizure.
9.—(1) (a) If a justice of the District Court or a Peace Commissioner is satisfied on the sworn information of a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of sergeant that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that material or a recording the possession of which would be in contravention of section 4 or a script or recording referred to in section 3 (8) is in or at any premises or other place, he may issue a warrant under his hand authorising any member of the Garda Síochána, accompanied by any other members of the Garda Síochána, at any time or times within one month from the date of the issue of the warrant, on production if so requested of the warrant, to enter, if need be by force, and search the premises or other place specified in the warrant and—
(i) to seize any such recording, material or script as aforesaid found there, and
(ii) to require any person found there to give him his name and address.
(b) A justice of the District Court or a Peace Commissioner shall not issue a warrant under paragraph (a) in relation to a script or recording referred to in section 3 (8) unless he is satisfied by information on oath—
(i) that a requirement specified in subparagraph (I) of section 3 (8) (a) was made in relation to it and was not complied with,
(ii) that the requirement specified in subparagraph (II) of section 3 (8) (a) was made in relation to it and was not complied with, or
(iii) that, in all the circumstances, it is necessary to issue the warrant notwithstanding that a requirement specified in the said subparagraph (I) or that specified in the said subparagraph (II) was not made in relation to it.
(2) A person who—
(a) obstructs or interferes with a member of the Garda Síochána acting under the authority of a warrant under this section, or
(b) is found in or at the premises or other place specified in the warrant by a member of the Garda Síochána acting as aforesaid and who fails or refuses to give the member his name and address when required by the member to do so or gives him a name or address that is false or misleading,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction—
(i) if the offence is under paragraph (a), to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both, or
(ii) if the offence is under paragraph (b), to a fine not exceeding £500.
(3) In this section “premises” includes a vehicle, vessel, aircraft or hovercraft or an installation in the territorial seas or in a designated area (within the meaning of the Continental Shelf Act, 1968) or a tent, caravan or other temporary or moveable structure; and a vessel or hovercraft or such an installation as aforesaid may be treated, for the purposes of the jurisdiction of a justice of the District Court under this section, as being in any place in the State.
Powers of arrest.
10.—(1) If a member of the Garda Síochána reasonably suspects that a person has committed an offence under section 2 (1) (b), he may arrest him without warrant.
(2) If a member of the Garda Síochána reasonably suspects that a person has committed an offence under this Act (other than an offence under section 2 (1) (b) or 9 (2) (b)), he may require him to give him his name and address and, if the person fails or refuses to do so or gives a name or address that the member reasonably suspects to be false or misleading, the member may arrest him without warrant.
(3) A member of the Garda Síochána acting under the authority of a warrant under section 9 may arrest without warrant a person whom the member reasonably suspects of having committed an offence under subsection (2) (b) of that section.
Forfeiture.
11.—(1) The court by or before which a person is convicted of an offence under section 2, 3 or 4 may order any written material or recording shown to the satisfaction of the court to relate to the offence to be forfeited and either destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner as the court may determine.
(2) A court shall not order written material or a recording to be forfeited under this section if a person claiming to be the owner of it or otherwise interested in it applies to be heard by the court, unless an opportunity has been given to him to show cause why the order should not be made.
(3) An order under this section shall not take effect until the ordinary time for instituting an appeal against the conviction or order concerned has expired or, where such an appeal is instituted, until it or any further appeal is finally decided or abandoned or the ordinary time for instituting any further appeal has expired.
Short title and commencement.
12.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989.
(2) This Act shall come into operation one month after the date of its passing.