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Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Criminal Justice Act 1984
No. 22 of 1984

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Ss. 1-3 1 March 1985 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1985 (S.I. No. 17 of 1985), art. 2
Ss. 4-6 1 July 1987 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1987 (S.I. No. 150 of 1987), art. 2
S. 7 1 March 1985 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1985 (S.I. No. 17 of 1985), art. 2
Ss. 8-10 1 July 1987 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1987 (S.I. No. 150 of 1987), art. 2
Ss. 11-14 1 March 1985 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1985 (S.I. No. 17 of 1985), art. 2
Ss. 15-16 1 July 1987 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1987 (S.I. No. 150 of 1987), art. 2
S. 17 1 March 1985 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1985 (S.I. No. 17 of 1985), art. 2
Ss. 18-19 1 July 1987 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1987 (S.I. No. 150 of 1987), art. 2
Ss. 20-32 1 March 1985 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Commencement) Order 1985 (S.I. No. 17 of 1985), art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
S. 1(2) amended 29/1986, s.16
S. 3(1) amended 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 101
S. 4 application extended S.I. No. 62 of 2016, reg. 42(2)
  29/2014, ss. 1(5), 37
  27/2014, s. 48(3)
  S.I. No. 207 of 2014, reg. 41(2)
  S.I. No. 187 of 2014, reg. 20(2)
  15/2013, ss. 1(2), 39(2)
  S.I. No. 292 of 2013, reg. 21(10)
  S.I. No. 217 of 2013, regs. 1, 21(4)
  S.I. No. 504 of 2012, reg. 13(2)
  S.I. No. 374 of 2012, reg. 5(10)
  S.I. No. 429 of 2009, reg. 4B(10) as inserted by S.I. No. 118 of 2013, reg. 2
  29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 4 (4), 12 (2)
S. 4 references construed 1/2024, ss. 1(2), 209(2)(b)
  20/2005, ss. 2, 98
S. 4 applied S.I. No. 74 of 1997, regs. 1(2), 3(2)(a)
S. 4 matters to be recorded or entered where person detained under S. I. No. 119 of 1987, regs. 7(2)(3), 12(12)(c)(d)
S. 4 power to modify application in relation to drug trafficking offences. 29/1996, ss. 6(1)(5), 12(2)
S. 4 power to take samples and prints from persons in custody 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 9, 11-13, 31-33, 35, 86, 100
  34/1990, ss. 2, 8((2)
S. 4 destruction of samples taken in custody 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 76-80, 84, 85
S. 4 saver 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 50(10)
  29/1996, ss. 2(8), 12(2)
S. 4(1) amended 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 9(a)
S. 4(2) substituted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 9(b)
S. 4(2) amended 4/1997, s.2 (a)
S. 4(3) extension of detention for purposes of obtaining sample 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 16(7), (8), 17(7), (8)
S. 4(3)(bb) inserted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 9(c)(i)
S. 4(3)(c) amended 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 9(c)(ii)
S. 4(3A) inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(a)
S. 4(3B) inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(a)
S. 4(3B)(d) form of notice prescribed S.I. No. 380 of 2017, regs. 1(2), 6, schedule 3
  S.I. No. 416 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 6, schedule 3
S. 4(3C) form of notice prescribed S.I. No. 380 of 2017, regs. 1(2), 4, schedule 1
  S.I. No. 416 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 4, schedule 1
S. 4(3C) inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(a)
S. 4(3D) form of notice prescribed S.I. No. 380 of 2017, regs. 1(2), 5, schedule 2
  S.I. No. 416 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 5, schedule 2
S. 4(3D) inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(a)
S. 4(3D)(b) notice period prescribed S.I. No. 380 of 2017, regs. 1(2), 7
  S.I. No. 416 of 2011, regs. 1(2), 7
S. 4(3E) inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(a)
S. 4(3F) inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(a)
S. 4(4) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 4(4) non-application of 27/2010, ss. 1(2), 17(5)
  10/1999, ss. 2 (2), 42(4)
S. 4(5) substituted 4/1997, s.2 (b)
S. 4(5) amended 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 34(a)
S. 4(5), (5A) non-application of 27/2010, ss. 1(2), 16(6), 17(5)
  10/1999, ss. 2 (2), 42 (4)
S. 4(5A) amended 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(b)
S. 4(6) substituted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(c)
  4/1997, s.2 (b)
S. 4(6) renumbered as (5A) 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 34(b)
S. 4(6) deleted 28/2009, ss. 1(3), 47(a)
S. 4(7) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 4(8) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 4(8A) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
S. 4(8A) inserted 4/1997, s. 2(c)
S. 4(8B) inserted 32/2009, s. 24(1)(a)
S. 4(9) amended 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(d)
  29/1996, ss. 5, 1 (2)
  4/1997, s. 2(d)
  26/2006, ss. 1(2), 9(d)
  28/2009, ss. 1(3), 47(b)
  32/2009, s. 24(1)(b)
S. 4(11) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 4(12) inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 7(e)
S. 4A inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 8
S. 4B inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 8
S. 4C inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 8
S. 5 applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 5(1) amended 24/2001, ss. 2(1), 67
S. 5(2) deleted 24/2001, ss. 2(1), 67
S. 5(3) amended 24/2001, ss. 2(1), 67
S. 5A inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 9(a)
S. 5B inserted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 9(a)
S. 6(1) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 6(1)(e) repealed 34/1990, ss. 6, 8(2)
S. 6(1A) inserted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 48(a)(i)
S. 6(1A) application extended 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 100(3)
S. 6(1A) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
S. 6(2) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 6(2) substituted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 48(a)(ii)
S. 6(3) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 6(4) applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12(2)
S. 6(4) amended 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 171
  26/2006, ss. 1(2), 13(a)
S. 6A inserted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 48(b)
S. 6A application extended 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 100(3)
S. 6A applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
S. 6A(1) substituted 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 102(a)
S. 6A(3)-(5) amended 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 102(b)-(d)
S. 7 applied with modifications 29/1996, ss. 2(9)(b), 12(2)
S. 8 substituted 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 103
  29/2007, ss. 1(2), 49
S. 8 applied with modifications 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 100(6)(a)-(c)
  29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  26/2006, ss. 1(2), 12(4)
  29/1996, ss. 5, 12 (2)
S. 8(2) amended 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 13(b)(i)
S. 8(3) substituted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 13(b)(ii)
S. 8(3A) inserted 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 13(b)(ii)
S. 8(7) amended 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 13(b)(iii)(I) and (II)
S. 8(7) form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 31, rls. 2, 3 forms 31.1, 31.2, schedule B
  S.I. No. 158 of 1988, rls. 2, 4(a),(d), schedule
S. 8A-I inserted 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 103
S. 8A-I applied with modifications 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 100(6)(a)-(c)
  29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52 as inserted by 11/2014, s. 108(c)
  26/2006, ss. 1(2), 12(4) as inserted by 11/2014, s. 107
  29/1996, ss. 5(2), 12(2) as inserted by 11/2014, s. 106(c)
S. 8A(1)(da) inserted 9/2023, ss. 1(2), 29
S. 8E substituted 1/2024, ss. 1(2), 269(a)
S. 8F(1)(b) substituted 1/2024, ss. 1(2), 269(b)
S. 8H application extended 7/2008, ss. 1(2), 79(9D), as inserted by 11/2014, s. 132(f)
  30/2006, s. 50(11C), as inserted by 11/2014, s. 139(g)
S. 9 amended 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 104(a)
  22/2011, ss. 1(2), 9(b)
  32/2009, s. 24(2)
  29/2007, ss. 1(2), 55(a)-(b)
S. 9(1) amended 14/2017, ss. 2, 13(2)
S. 9(1), (2) inserted 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 104(b)-(c)
S. 10 application restricted 27/2010, ss. 1(2), 16(6), 17(5)
  10/1999, ss. 2(2), 42 (4)
S. 10 form prescribed S.I. No. 158 of 1988, rls. 2, 5, schedule
S. 10(1) construction of references 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 166
S. 10(1) substituted 32/2009, s. 24(3)
S. 10(1) form prescribed S.I. No. 93 of 1997, ord. 31, rls. 4, 5, forms 31.3, 31.4, schedule B
S. 10(1A) inserted 32/2009, s. 24(3)
S. 11(1) substituted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 22
S. 11(4) inserted 16/1997, ss. 10, 13 (2)
S. 13(1) amended 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 23(a)
S. 13(6) inserted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 23(b)
S. 15 amended 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 48(c)
  26/2006, ss. 1(2), 62
S. 16 repealed 50/2001, ss. 1 (2), 3 (1), schedule 1
S. 18 applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5(2), 12(2)
S. 18 substituted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 28(1). Note: See also subsections (2) and (3).
S. 18(1)(2) amended 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 16(1)(2)
S. 18(3)(b) substituted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 9(c)
S. 19 applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
S. 19 substituted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 29(1). Note: See also subsections (2) and (3).
S. 19(1), (2) amended 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 16(1)(2)
S. 19(3)(b) substituted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 9(d)
S. 19A inserted 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 30
S. 19A applied with modifications 29/2007, ss. 1(2), 52
  29/1996, ss. 5(2), 12(2)
S. 19A(3)(b) substituted 22/2011, ss. 1(2), 9(e)
S. 20(6) substituted 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 16(3)(a)
S. 20(8) amended 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 16(3)(b)(c)(d)
S. 21 provision without prejudice to 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 16(6).
S. 21(1) amended 10/1999, ss. 2(2), 16(4)
S. 21(3A) inserted 7/2021, ss. 1(2), 16(a)
S. 21(5)(b) amended 7/2021, ss. 1(2), 16(b)
S. 27 recording under excluded from application of Act 19/2009, ss. 2(4)(b)
S. 28 substituted 4/1997, ss. 12, 21
S. 28(3) substituted 11/2014, ss. 1(2), 105
S. 28(4) amended 26/2006, ss. 1(2), 13(c)

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 4C Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Suspension of Detention under Section 4(3A)) (Persons under 18 years of age) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 380 of 2017)
  Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Suspension of Detention under section 4(3A)) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 416 of 2011)
S. 7 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 151 of 2023)
  Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Treatment of Persons in custody in Garda Síochána Stations) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 641 of 2006)
  Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations 1987 (S.I. No. 119 of 1987)
S. 27 Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 560 of 2010)
  Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 168 of 2009)
  Criminal Justice Act, 1984 (Electronic Recording of Interviews) Regulations 1997 (S.I. No. 74 of 1997)