{"id":1282,"date":"2021-07-10T21:31:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T21:31:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=1282"},"modified":"2024-03-18T16:04:13","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T16:04:13","slug":"knives-offensive-weapons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/","title":{"rendered":"Knives &#038; Weapons"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Knife_Offences\" title=\"Knife Offences\">Knife Offences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Aggravated_Possession\" title=\"Aggravated Possession\">Aggravated Possession<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Possession_of_Syringe\" title=\"Possession of Syringe\">Possession of Syringe<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Imitation_Firearms\" title=\"Imitation Firearms\">Imitation Firearms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Dealer\" title=\"Dealer\">Dealer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Trespassing_with_a_knife_weapon_of_offence_or_other_article\" title=\"Trespassing with a knife, weapon of offence or other article.\">Trespassing with a knife, weapon of offence or other article.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Production_of_article_capable_of_inflicting_serious_injury\" title=\"Production of article capable of inflicting serious injury.\">Production of article capable of inflicting serious injury.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Power_to_prohibit_manufacture_importation_sale_hire_or_loan_of_offensive_weapons\" title=\"Power to prohibit manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of offensive weapons.\">Power to prohibit manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of offensive weapons.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Forfeiture_of_weapons_and_other_articles\" title=\"Forfeiture of weapons and other articles.\">Forfeiture of weapons and other articles.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/#Power_of_Arrest_Search\" title=\"Power of Arrest &amp; Search\">Power of Arrest &amp; Search<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#FIREARMS_AND_OFFENSIVE_WEAPONS_ACT_1990\" title=\"FIREARMS AND OFFENSIVE WEAPONS ACT 1990\">FIREARMS AND OFFENSIVE WEAPONS ACT 1990<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Interpretation\" title=\"Interpretation.\">Interpretation.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Amendments_to_Firearms_Acts\" title=\"Amendments to Firearms Acts\">Amendments to Firearms Acts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Authorisation_to_hold_defective_firearm_without_firearm_certificate\" title=\"Authorisation to hold defective firearm without firearm certificate.\">Authorisation to hold defective firearm without firearm certificate.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Possession_sale_etc_of_silencers\" title=\"Possession, sale, etc., of silencers.\">Possession, sale, etc., of silencers.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Reckless_discharge_of_firearm\" title=\"Reckless discharge of firearm.\">Reckless discharge of firearm.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Other_amendments_to_Firearms_Acts\" title=\"Other amendments to Firearms Acts.\">Other amendments to Firearms Acts.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Offensive_Weapons\" title=\"Offensive Weapons\">Offensive Weapons<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Possession_of_knives_and_other_articles\" title=\"Possession of knives and other articles.\">Possession of knives and other articles.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Possession_of_a_realistic_imitation_firearm_in_a_public_place\" title=\"Possession of a realistic imitation firearm in a public place.\">Possession of a realistic imitation firearm in a public place.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Authorisation_of_use_of_realistic_imitation_firearms_at_specified_venues_theatres_etc\" title=\"Authorisation of use of realistic imitation firearms at specified venues, theatres, etc.\">Authorisation of use of realistic imitation firearms at specified venues, theatres, etc.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Trespassing_with_a_knife_weapon_of_offence_or_other_article-2\" title=\"Trespassing with a knife, weapon of offence or other article.\">Trespassing with a knife, weapon of offence or other article.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Production_of_article_capable_of_inflicting_serious_injury-2\" title=\"Production of article capable of inflicting serious injury.\">Production of article capable of inflicting serious injury.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Power_to_prohibit_manufacture_importation_sale_hire_or_loan_of_offensive_weapons-2\" title=\"Power to prohibit manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of offensive weapons.\">Power to prohibit manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of offensive weapons.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Shortening_barrel_of_shot-gun_or_rifle\" title=\"Shortening barrel of shot-gun or rifle.\">Shortening barrel of shot-gun or rifle.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Power_of_arrest_without_warrant\" title=\"Power of arrest without warrant.\">Power of arrest without warrant.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Search_warrants\" title=\"Search warrants.\">Search warrants.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Power_of_search_without_warrant\" title=\"Power of search without warrant.\">Power of search without warrant.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Provision_of_information_by_Commissioner_to_Minister\" title=\"Provision of information by Commissioner to Minister\">Provision of information by Commissioner to Minister<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Extension_of_section_8_of_Criminal_Law_Act_1976\" title=\"Extension of section 8 of Criminal Law Act, 1976.\">Extension of section 8 of Criminal Law Act, 1976.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Firearms_and_Offensive_Weapons_Act_1990_Offensive_Weapons_Order_1991\" title=\"Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 (Offensive Weapons) Order, 1991.\">Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 (Offensive Weapons) Order, 1991.<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#EXPLANATORY_NOTE\" title=\"EXPLANATORY NOTE.\">EXPLANATORY NOTE.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/knives-offensive-weapons\/2\/#Firearms_and_offensive_Weapons_Act_1990_offensive_Weapons_Amendment_Order_2009\" title=\"Firearms and offensive Weapons Act 1990 (offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2009\">Firearms and offensive Weapons Act 1990 (offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2009<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Knife_Offences\"><\/span>Knife Offences<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Where a person has a knife or other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed, in a public place, he is guilty of an offence.\u00a0 It is a defence if the person charged proves that he had the same with good reason or lawful authority including, for example, for work or recreational purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Where a person without lawful authority or reasonable excuse has a flick knife or other article adapted for causing injury or incapacitating a person in his possession a public place, he is guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>A person who possesses in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse an article intended\u00a0 to cause injury, incapacitate or intimidate another either in a particular eventuality or otherwise is guilty of an offence.\u00a0 It is not necessary for the prosecution to prove a specific intent to cause injury, incapacitate or intimidate.<\/p>\n<p>Having regard to all the circumstances including the type of article, the time of day or night and the place, the court or the jury may if reasonable to do so, regard possession as sufficient evidence of the intent in the absence of an explanation to the contrary by the accused.<\/p>\n<p>A person guilty of an offence under the above provisions is subject to a fine of \u20ac5,000 and or imprisonment of 12 months on summary conviction or up to five years and an unlimited fine on conviction on\u00a0 indictment. The offending articles may be forfeited by court order.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Aggravated_Possession\"><\/span>Aggravated Possession<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It is an offence for a person to be on premises as a trespasser in possession of a knife or weapon of offence.\u00a0 A weapon of offence is any article made or adapted for causing injury to or incapacitating a person or intended by the person concerned for such use.<\/p>\n<p>The offence is subject on summary conviction of up to 12 months imprisonment and a \u20ac5,000 fine or on conviction on indictment to five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.<\/p>\n<p>Where a person who is committing or appears to be about to commit an offence or in the course of a dispute or fight produces in a manner unlawfully to intimidate another, any article capable of inflicting serious injury, he is guilty of an offence.\u00a0 The offence is punishable by imprisonment up to one year and \u20ac5,000 fine on summary conviction and to five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine on indictment.<\/p>\n<p>The Minister for Justice may by order prohibit the manufacture, import, test, and sale, hire alone of specified classes of offensive weapons.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Possession_of_Syringe\"><\/span>Possession of Syringe<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It is an offence to possess a syringe in a public place or blood container with intent to cause or threaten to cause an injury to or intimidate another person.<\/p>\n<p>It is an offence to place or abandon a syringe in a public place in a manner likely to injure another person or which does, in fact, injure a person or where it is likely to injure cause or threat or frighten another person.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Imitation_Firearms\"><\/span>Imitation Firearms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It is an offence without lawful authority or reasonable excuse to possess a realistic imitation firearm in a public place. It is subject on summary conviction to a fine up to \u20ac5,000 and or 12 months imprisonment or on indictment. imprisonment of up to five years and an unlimited fine.<\/p>\n<p>The superintendent of an Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na may issue an authorisation to permit realistic or imitation firearms subject to certain conditions.\u00a0 He must be satisfied having regard to the circumstances that the possession of a realistic imitation firearm will not endanger public safety or peace.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dealer\"><\/span>Dealer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A person who deals in realistic imitation firearms must register with the Department of Justice. \u00a0Minimum standards are prescribed in respect of the security, location of the premises, safety, the standard of constructions and types of merchandise.<\/p>\n<p>It is an offence to import, manufacture, sell, repair, test, expose for sale or have possession of a realistic imitation firearm unless the person is registered in the register in relation to the same.<\/p>\n<p>The Minister of Justice may ban the sale of realistic imitation firearms if they represent a threat to public safety or security.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trespassing_with_a_knife_weapon_of_offence_or_other_article\"><\/span>Trespassing with a knife, weapon of offence or other article.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Where a person is on any premises as defined below as a trespasser, he shall be guilty of an offence if he has with him\u2014<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0any knife or other like article<\/li>\n<li>any weapon of offence (as defined).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Premises means any building, any part of a building and any land ancillary to a building;<\/p>\n<p>Weapon of offence means any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to or incapacitating a person, or intended by the person having it with him for such use.<\/p>\n<p>A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding \u20ac5,000]or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/li>\n<li>on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Production_of_article_capable_of_inflicting_serious_injury\"><\/span>Production of article capable of inflicting serious injury.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Where a person, while committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence, or in the course of a dispute or fight, produces in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person any article capable of inflicting serious injury, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding \u20ac5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/li>\n<li>on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Power_to_prohibit_manufacture_importation_sale_hire_or_loan_of_offensive_weapons\"><\/span>Power to prohibit manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of offensive weapons.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Any person who\u2014<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>manufactures, sells or hires, or offers or exposes for sale or hire, or by way of business repairs or modifies, or<\/li>\n<li>has in his possession for the purpose of sale or hire or for the purpose of repair or modification by way of business, or<\/li>\n<li>puts on display, or lends or gives to any other person,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>a weapon to which this provision applies shall be guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u00a0on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding \u20ac5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/li>\n<li>on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 7 years or to both.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Minister may by order direct that this section shall apply to any description of weapon specified in the order except any firearm subject to the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1990.<\/p>\n<p>The importation of such a weapon\u00a0 is hereby prohibited.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Forfeiture_of_weapons_and_other_articles\"><\/span>Forfeiture of weapons and other articles.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Where a person is convicted of an offence , the court by or before which he is convicted may order any article in respect of which the offence was committed to be forfeited and either destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner as the court may determine.<\/p>\n<p>An order\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Power_of_Arrest_Search\"><\/span>Power of Arrest &amp; Search<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na may arrest without warrant any person who is, or whom the member, with reasonable cause, suspects to be, in the act of committing the above offences.<\/p>\n<p>If a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na suspects with reasonable cause that a person has with him or her in any public place he may:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>search the person and, if he or she considers it necessary for that purpose, detain the person for such time as is reasonably necessary for carrying out the search,<\/li>\n<li>search any vehicle, vessel or aircraft in which he or she suspects that such article may be found and for the purpose of carrying out the search may, if he or she thinks fit, require the person who for the time being is in possession or control of such vehicle, vessel or aircraft to bring it to a stop and when stopped to refrain from moving it, or in case such vehicle, vessel or aircraft is already stationary, to refrain from moving it, or<\/li>\n<li>seize and detain anything found in the course of a search under this section that appears to him or her to be something that might be required as evidence in proceedings for an offence in relation to offensive weapons.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2>FIREARMS AND OFFENSIVE WEAPONS ACT 1990<\/h2>\n<p>REVISED<\/p>\n<p>Updated to 27 December 2021<\/p>\n<p>AN ACT TO AMEND AND EXTEND THE FIREARMS ACTS, 1925 TO 1971, TO CONTROL THE AVAILABILITY AND POSSESSION OF OFFENSIVE WEAPONS AND OTHER ARTICLES AND TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED WITH THE MATTERS AFORESAID. [12th June, 1990]<\/p>\n<p>BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C1<br \/>\nApplication of collectively cited Firearms Acts 1925 to 1990 extended (9.12.1993) by European Communities (Acquisition and Possession of Weapons and Ammunition) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 362 of 1993), regs. 2, 8 and 13(1).<\/p>\n<p>Provisions of Firearms Acts and other Statutes.<\/p>\n<p>8. The provisions of the Firearms Acts and other relevant statutes, including provisions relating to powers of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and Customs Officers, shall extend to a European Firearms Pass or other document to which these Regulations relate and a reference in those enactments to a firearm certificate shall, where the context so admits, include reference to any such document.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Offences.<\/p>\n<p>13. (1) A person who contravenes any provision of these Regulations shall, without prejudice to any liability under the Firearms Acts, be guilty of an offence under these Regulations.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>PART I<\/p>\n<p>Preliminary<\/p>\n<p>Short title and commencement.<\/p>\n<p>1.\u2014(1) This Act may be cited as the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.<\/p>\n<p>(2) This Act (other than Part II) shall come into operation on the date of its passing.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Part II of this Act shall come into operation on such day or days as may be fixed therefor by order or orders of the Minister either generally or with reference to any particular provision, and different days may be so fixed for different provisions of that Part.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E1<br \/>\nPower pursuant to subs. (3) exercised (1.01.1991) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Part II) (Commencement) Order 1990 (S.I. No. 313 of 1990).<\/p>\n<p>2. The 1st day of January, 1991 is hereby fixed as the day on which Part II of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 shall come into operation.<\/p>\n<h4>Interpretation.<\/h4>\n<p>2.\u2014(1) In this Act \u201cthe Minister\u201d means the Minister for Justice.<\/p>\n<p>(2) In this Act 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 and a reference to a subsection is a reference to the subsection of the section in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that reference to some other section is intended.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A reference in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended or adapted by or under any subsequent enactment.<\/p>\n<p>PART II<\/p>\n<h4>Amendments to Firearms Acts<\/h4>\n<p>Collective citation and construction.<\/p>\n<p>3.\u2014(1) The Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971, and this Part may be cited together as the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1990.<\/p>\n<p>(2) The Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1971 (other than the Firearms (Proofing) Act, 1968) and this Part shall be construed together as one.<\/p>\n<p>Extension of Firearms Acts to crossbows and stun guns.<\/p>\n<p>4.\u2014 F1[\u2026]<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F1<br \/>\nRepealed (1.08.2006) by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 63(a), S.I. No. 390 of 2006.<\/p>\n<p>Amendment of section 10 of Firearms Act, 1925.<\/p>\n<p>5.\u2014The Firearms Act, 1925, is hereby amended by the insertion in section 10 after subsection (3) of the following subsection:<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(3A) (a) A person shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of a firearm or ammunition for a firearm to a person who habitually resides, or to a body at an address, in a country that stands prescribed for the time being for the purposes of this section unless the superintendent of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na of the district in which the firearm or ammunition is kept, being satisfied that the transaction is authorised by the competent authorities of that country, also authorises it.<\/p>\n<p>(b) This subsection is without prejudice to the other provisions of this section and to section 16 of this Act but subsection (4) of that section does not apply to a firearm or ammunition for a firearm carried by a person from the State for the purpose of transferring it permanently to such a country as aforesaid.<\/p>\n<p>(c) In this subsection \u2018firearm\u2019 does not include a firearm specified in paragraph (c) or (d) (or in paragraph (f) or (g) so far as either of those paragraphs relates to the said paragraph (c) or (d)) of section 4 (1) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.\u201d.<\/p>\n<h4>Authorisation to hold defective firearm without firearm certificate.<\/h4>\n<p>6.\u2014(1) The superintendent of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na of a district may grant an authorisation in writing to a person resident in the district, not being a person disentitled under the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1990, to hold a firearm certificate, to have in his possession, without a firearm certificate, a firearm where he is satisfied that the firearm would not be a firearm but for F2[paragraph (f) of the definition of \u201cfirearm\u201d in section 1(1) of the Principal Act] and that the person has a good reason for wishing to keep it and may be permitted to do so without danger to the public safety or the peace.<\/p>\n<p>(2) The superintendent of the district where the holder of an authorisation under this section resides may, at any time, attach to the authorisation any conditions, whether as regards safe custody or otherwise, which he considers necessary and may at any time revoke the authorisation.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F2<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2006) by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 63(b), S.I. No. 390 of 2006.<\/p>\n<h4>Possession, sale, etc., of silencers.<\/h4>\n<p>7.\u2014(1) A person shall be guilty of an offence if he has in his possession or sells or transfers to another person a silencer unless the possession, sale or transfer is authorised in writing by the superintendent of the district in which the first-mentioned person resides.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A superintendent shall not grant an authorisation under this section unless he is satisfied that the person who is to have possession of the silencer or to whom it is to be sold or transferred is the holder of a firearm certificate for a firearm to which the silencer can be fitted and that\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) having regard to all the circumstances, the possession, sale or transfer concerned will not endanger the public safety or the peace, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) the person has a special need that is, in the opinion of the superintendent, sufficient to justify the granting of the authorisation for the silencer.<\/p>\n<p>(3) The superintendent of the district where the holder of an authorisation under this section resides may, at any time, attach to the authorisation such conditions as he considers necessary for the purpose of preventing danger to the public or to the peace or of ensuring that the silencer is used only to satisfy the special need for which the authorisation was granted.<\/p>\n<p>(4) An authorisation under this section may be granted for such period not exceeding one year as is specified in the authorisation and may be revoked by the superintendent of the district where its holder resides.<\/p>\n<p>(5) A person who contravenes a condition attached to an authorisation under this section shall be guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>(6) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F3[\u20ac5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or to both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding F3[7 years] or to both.<\/p>\n<p>(7) This section does not apply in relation to a person specified in paragraph (b), (c) or (d) of subsection (3) of section 2 of the Firearms Act, 1925, or paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (4) (inserted by the Firearms Act, 1964) of that section.<\/p>\n<p>(8) In this section\u2014<\/p>\n<p>\u201csilencer\u201d means a silencer specified in F4[paragraph (g)(ii) of the definition of \u201cfirearm\u201d in section 1(1) of the Principal Act];<\/p>\n<p>\u201csuperintendent\u201d means a superintendent of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F3<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2006) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (12\/1990), s. 8A as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 64 and sch. 1, S.I. No. 390 of 2006. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>F4<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2006) by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 63(c), S.I. No. 390 of 2006.<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E2<br \/>\nOffences under section designated serious offences by Bail Act 1997 (16\/1997), s. 1 and sch. paras. 16(a), 29 and 30; as substituted (18.05.2007) by Criminal Justice Act 2007 (29\/2007), s. 17(b), S.I. No. 236 of 2007.<\/p>\n<h4>Reckless discharge of firearm.<\/h4>\n<p>8.\u2014A person who discharges a firearm being reckless as to whether any person will be injured or not, shall be guilty of an offence, whether any such injury is caused or not, and shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F5[\u20ac5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding F5[7 years] or to both.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F5<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2006) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (12\/1990), s. 8A as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 64 and sch. 1, S.I. No. 390 of 2006. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E3<br \/>\nOffences under section designated serious offences (4.09.1998) by Bail Act 1997 (16\/1997), s. 1 and sch. paras. 16(b), 29 and 30, S.I. No. 315 of 1998; as substituted (18.05.2007) by Criminal Justice Act 2007 (29\/2007), s. 17(b), S.I. No. 236 of 2007.<\/p>\n<p>F6[<\/p>\n<h4>Other amendments to Firearms Acts.<\/h4>\n<p>8A.\u2014 Each provision of the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2006 specified in Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice Act 2006 is amended in the manner specified in the third and fourth columns opposite the mention of that provision in the first column of that Schedule. ]<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F6<br \/>\nInserted (1.08.2006) by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 64, S.I. No. 390 of 2006.<\/p>\n<p>PART III<\/p>\n<h4>Offensive Weapons<\/h4>\n<h4>Possession of knives and other articles.<\/h4>\n<p>9.\u2014(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), where a person has with him in any public place any knife or any other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed, he shall be guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>(2) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the article with him in a public place.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), it shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that he had the article with him for use at work or for a recreational purpose.<\/p>\n<p>(4) Where a person, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the onus of proving which shall lie on him), has with him in any public place\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) any flick-knife, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) any other article whatsoever made or adapted for use for causing injury to or incapacitating a person,<\/p>\n<p>he shall be guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>(5) Where a person has with him in any public place any article intended by him unlawfully to cause injury to, incapacitate or intimidate any person either in a particular eventuality or otherwise, he shall be guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>(6) In a prosecution for an offence under subsection (5), it shall not be necessary for the prosecution to allege or prove that the intent to cause injury, incapacitate or intimidate was intent to cause injury to, incapacitate or intimidate a particular person; and if, having regard to all the circumstances (including the type of the article alleged to have been intended to cause injury, incapacitate or intimidate, the time of the day or night, and the place), the court (or the jury as the case may be) thinks it reasonable to do so, it may regard possession of the article as sufficient evidence of intent in the absence of any adequate explanation by the accused.<\/p>\n<p>F7[ (7) (a) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding \u20ac5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/p>\n<p>(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.]<\/p>\n<p>(b) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) or (5) shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F8[\u20ac5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/p>\n<p>(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.<\/p>\n<p>(8) In this section \u201cpublic place\u201d includes any highway and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise, and includes any club premises and any train, vessel or vehicle used for the carriage of persons for reward.<\/p>\n<p>(9) In this section \u201cflick-knife\u201d means a knife\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) which has a blade which opens when hand pressure is applied to a button, spring, lever or other device in or attached to the handle, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force and when released is locked in an open position by means of a button, spring, lever or other device.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F7<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2009) by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 39, S.I. No. 310 of 2009. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>F8<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2006) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (12\/1990), s. 8A as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 64 and sch. 1, S.I. No. 390 of 2006. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E4<br \/>\nOffences under section designated serious offences (4.09.1998) by Bail Act 1997 (16\/1997), s. 1 and sch. paras. 16(c), 29 and 30, S.I. No. 315 of 1998; as substituted (18.05.2007) by Criminal Justice Act 2007 (29\/2007), s. 17(b), S.I. No. 236 of 2007.<\/p>\n<p>E5<br \/>\nPrevious affecting provision: amount of fine in subs. (7)(a)(i) substituted (1.08.2006) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (12\/1990), s. 8A as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 64 and sch. 1, S.I. No. 390 of 2006; substituted as per F-note above.<\/p>\n<p>F9[<\/p>\n<h4>Possession of a realistic imitation firearm in a public place.<\/h4>\n<p>9A.\u2014 (1) Where a person, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the onus of proving which shall lie on him or her), has a realistic imitation firearm with him or her in any public place, that person shall be guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable:<\/p>\n<p>(i) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding \u20ac5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/p>\n<p>(ii) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.<\/p>\n<p>(3) In this section \u201cpublic place\u201d includes any highway and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise, and includes any club premises and any train, vessel or vehicle used for the carriage of persons for reward.<\/p>\n<p>(4) In this section and in sections 9B to 9G \u201crealistic imitation firearm\u201d means a device that appears to the ordinary observer so realistic as to make it indistinguishable from a firearm.]<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F9<br \/>\nInserted (1.08.2009) by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, S.I. No. 310 of 2009. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>F10[<\/p>\n<h4>Authorisation of use of realistic imitation firearms at specified venues, theatres, etc.<\/h4>\n<p>9B.\u2014 (1) The Superintendent of any district may authorise in writing the possession, use or carriage of realistic imitation firearms in that district at a specified location during such period, not exceeding one year, as may be specified in the authorisation.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A Superintendent shall not grant an authorisation under this section unless he or she is satisfied having regard to all the circumstances (including the provision made or to be made for the storage of realistic imitation firearms to which the authorisation (if granted) would relate and the supervision of their use) that the possession, use or carriage, as the case may be, of realistic imitation firearms in pursuance of the authorisation will not endanger the public safety or the peace.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Where it is proposed to grant an authorisation under this section in respect of a specified location, the authorisation shall be granted to the person in charge of the specified location and where there is a contravention of a condition imposed in relation to the grant of such an authorisation and the contravention is proved to have been committed with the consent or approval of or to have been facilitated by any neglect on the part of the person to whom the authorisation is granted, that person shall be guilty of an offence under this Act.<\/p>\n<p>(4) A Superintendent may impose in relation to the grant of an authorisation under this section such conditions (if any) as he considers necessary to prevent danger to the public and, where a condition is imposed, it shall be specified in the authorisation.<\/p>\n<p>(5) An authorisation under this section may be revoked at any time by the Superintendent of the District in which it is granted.<\/p>\n<p>(6) A person who contravenes a condition imposed in relation to the grant of an authorisation under this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to \u20ac5,000 or up to 12 months imprisonment.]<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F10<br \/>\nInserted (1.08.2009) by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, S.I. No. 310 of 2009. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms to be kept.<\/p>\n<p>9C.\u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F11<br \/>\nInserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C2<br \/>\nSection inserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>9C.\u2014 (1) The Minister shall cause a register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms to be established and kept.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Any person who\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) applies, in accordance with the provisions of this section, to be registered in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms,<\/p>\n<p>(b) pays the fee, if any, prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this section, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) satisfies the Minister that he or she is immediately about to carry on business as a dealer in realistic imitation firearms in premises suitable for that business,<\/p>\n<p>may be registered in such register, but when considering any such application for registration the Minister shall have regard to the character of the applicant, and generally to the public safety and the preservation of the peace.<\/p>\n<p>(3) The registration of a person in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms shall continue in force for a period of 3 years from the date of the registration, unless previously revoked and, if renewed, for a further period of 3 years from the expiration of that period or, as the case may be, of any subsequent such period for which the registration was renewed.<\/p>\n<p>(4) Every registered dealer in realistic imitation firearms shall be entitled to renew his or her registration in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms at any time within one month before the expiration of his existing registration or renewal on application therefor in accordance with the provisions of this section and payment of the fee, if any, prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this section.<\/p>\n<p>(5) Every application for registration in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms or for renewal of such registration shall be made to the Minister in the form and manner prescribed by regulations made by the Minister under this section and shall contain the prescribed particulars (if any) so prescribed.<\/p>\n<p>(6) Every person registered in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms shall be entitled on such registration and on every renewal thereof to obtain from the Minister a certificate in writing of such registration or renewal.<\/p>\n<p>(7) An application for registration in the register of dealers in realistic firearms dealers or for renewal of such registration shall be refused if granting it would, in the opinion of the Minister, prejudice public safety or security.<\/p>\n<p>(8) The Minister, after consultation with the Commissioner, may by regulations specify minimum standards to be complied with in relation to premises in which a dealer in realistic imitation firearms carries on business or proposes to do so.<\/p>\n<p>(9) The minimum standards shall be determined by reference to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the security of the premises,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the location of the premises,<\/p>\n<p>(c) their safety,<\/p>\n<p>(d) their standard of construction,<\/p>\n<p>(e) window displays, and<\/p>\n<p>(f) types of merchandise,<\/p>\n<p>and having regard to their use for, as the case may be, the manufacture, repair, testing or sale of imitation firearms.<\/p>\n<p>(10) Applicants for registration or renewal shall satisfy the Minister that their premises comply with the minimum standards specified in any regulations under subsection (8) of this section.<\/p>\n<p>(11) Without prejudice to subsection (2) of this section, the following persons are declared to be disentitled to be registered in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms:<\/p>\n<p>(a) a person under the age of 21 years;<\/p>\n<p>(b) a person of unsound mind;<\/p>\n<p>(c) a person who has been sentenced to imprisonment for an offence under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2009, the Offences Against the State Acts 1939 to 1998 or the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005;<\/p>\n<p>(d) a person who is bound by a recognisance to keep the peace or be of good behaviour, a condition of which is that the person shall not possess, use or carry a firearm or ammunition.<\/p>\n<p>(12) Every regulation made under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House sits after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to anything previously done thereunder.<\/p>\n<p>Restrictions on import, manufacture and sale of realistic imitation firearms.<\/p>\n<p>9D.\u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F12<br \/>\nInserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C3<br \/>\nSection inserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>9D.\u2014 (1) On and after the date of commencement of section 40 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 it is an offence for any person to import, manufacture, sell, repair, test, expose for sale, or have in his possession for sale, repair or test by way of trade or business, any realistic imitation firearm unless such person is registered in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms.<\/p>\n<p>(2) On and after the date of commencement of section 40 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 it is an offence for a person to sell a realistic imitation firearm to a person under the age of 16 years.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable:<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding \u20ac5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.<\/p>\n<p>Removal of names from register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms.<\/p>\n<p>9E.\u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F13<br \/>\nInserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision. A fine of \u20ac3,000 translates into a class B fine, not greater than \u20ac4,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 5(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C4<br \/>\nSection inserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>9E.\u2014 (1) The Minister may at the request of any person who is registered in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms remove the name of such person from the register.<\/p>\n<p>(2) If and when the Minister is satisfied that any person who is registered in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) no longer carries on business as a dealer in realistic imitation firearms, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) no longer has a place of business as such dealer in realistic imitation firearms in the State, or<\/p>\n<p>(c) cannot any longer be permitted to carry on such business without danger to the public safety or to the peace, or<\/p>\n<p>(d) has become a person who is declared under section 9C(11) of this Act to be disentitled to be registered in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms,<\/p>\n<p>the Minister may remove the name of such person from the register.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A person whose name is removed under this section from the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms shall, on such removal, forthwith deliver up to the Minister the person\u2019s certificate of registration or renewal.<\/p>\n<p>(4) A person who contravenes subsection (3) of this section is guilty of an offence and on summary conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding \u20ac3,000.<\/p>\n<p>Inspection of stock of dealer in realistic imitation firearms.<\/p>\n<p>9F.\u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F14<br \/>\nInserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision. A fine of \u20ac1,000 translates into a class D fine, not greater than \u20ac1,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 7(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C5<br \/>\nSection inserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>9F.\u2014 (1) Any member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na may at all reasonable times enter the premises of any registered dealer in realistic imitation firearms and there inspect any imitation firearms and any materials used in the manufacture, repair or test thereof found on such premises.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Every person who obstructs or impedes any member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na in the exercise of any of the powers conferred on him by this section shall be guilty of an offence under this section and shall be liable on summary conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding \u20ac1,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both.<\/p>\n<p>Power by order to restrict sale of certain realistic imitation firearms from specified date.<\/p>\n<p>9G.\u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F15<br \/>\nInserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C6<br \/>\nSection inserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>9G.\u2014 (1) Notwithstanding section 9D(1), the Minister may, if he or she considers that realistic imitation firearms represent a threat to public safety and security, and following consultation with the Commissioner, by order set a date or dates after which it is an offence for a person to import, manufacture, sell, repair, test, expose for sale or have in his or her possession for sale, repair or testing by way of trade or business any realistic imitation firearm or to do any one or more of the foregoing as may be specified in the order.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Any order made under this section 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 is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House sits after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to anything previously done thereunder.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable:<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding \u20ac5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.<\/p>\n<p>Power by order to require certain descriptions of imitation firearms to conform to certain specifications.<\/p>\n<p>9H.\u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F16<br \/>\nInserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C7<br \/>\nSection inserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>9H.\u2014 (1) The Minister may, if he or she considers that certain imitation firearms represent a threat to public safety and security, and following consultation with the Commissioner, by order set a date or dates after which it is an offence for a person to import, manufacture, sell, repair, test, expose for sale or have in his or her possession for sale, repair or testing by way of trade or business certain descriptions of imitation firearms unless the imitation firearms conform to certain specifications set out in the order.<\/p>\n<p>(2) In this section \u201cimitation firearm\u201d means anything which is not a firearm but has the appearance of being a firearm.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Any order made under this section 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 is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House sits after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to anything previously done thereunder.<\/p>\n<p>(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable:<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding \u20ac5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or both.<\/p>\n<p>Tax clearance.<\/p>\n<p>9I.\u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F17<br \/>\nInserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C8<br \/>\nSection inserted by Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 40, not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>9I.\u2014 (1) In this section\u2014<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAct of 1997\u201d means the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCollector-General\u201d means the Collector-General appointed under section 851 of the Act of 1997;<\/p>\n<p>\u201ctax clearance certificate\u201d means a certificate under section 1095 (as substituted by section 127(b) of the Finance Act 2002) of the Act of 1997.<\/p>\n<p>(2) The Minister shall refuse to register a person in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms or renew any such registration in respect of that person if that person is a person in relation to whom a tax clearance certificate is not in force.<\/p>\n<p>(3) The Minister may nevertheless register a person in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms or renew any such registration in respect of that person if\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the person has, at least four months before applying for such registration or renewal, applied for a tax clearance certificate and it has been refused and an appeal against the refusal has been made under section 1094(7) of the Act of 1997 but not determined, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) the Minister would, but for subsection (2), have registered that person in the register of dealers in realistic imitation firearms or renewed any such registration in respect of the person.<\/p>\n<p>(4) Where an appeal referred to in subsection (3) is made but is not successful, any registration or renewal of registration under that subsection shall expire 7 days after the appeal is determined or, where appropriate, finally determined.<\/p>\n<p>(5) The Collector-General shall notify the Minister of any appeal against a refusal of an application for a tax clearance certificate and of the determination or, as appropriate, final determination of any such appeal.<\/p>\n<h4>Trespassing with a knife, weapon of offence or other article.<\/h4>\n<p>10.\u2014(1) Where a person is on any premises as defined in subsection (2) as a trespasser, he shall be guilty of an offence if he has with him\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) any knife or other article to which section 9 (1) applies, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) any weapon of offence (as defined in subsection (2)).<\/p>\n<p>(2) In this section\u2014<\/p>\n<p>\u201cpremises\u201d means any building, any part of a building and any land ancillary to a building;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cweapon of offence\u201d means any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to or incapacitating a person, or intended by the person having it with him for such use.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F18[\u20ac5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F18<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2006) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (12\/1990), s. 8A as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 64 and sch. 1, S.I. No. 390 of 2006. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E6<br \/>\nOffences under section designated serious offences (4.09.1998) by Bail Act 1997 (16\/1997), s. 1 and sch. paras. 16(d), 29 and 30, S.I. No. 315 of 1998; as substituted (18.05.2007) by Criminal Justice Act 2007 (29\/2007), s. 17(b), S.I. No. 236 of 2007.<\/p>\n<h4>Production of article capable of inflicting serious injury.<\/h4>\n<p>11.\u2014Where a person, while committing or appearing to be about to commit an offence, or in the course of a dispute or fight, produces in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person any article capable of inflicting serious injury, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F19[\u20ac5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F19<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2006) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (12\/1990), s. 8A as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 64 and sch. 1, S.I. No. 390 of 2006. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E7<br \/>\nOffences under section designated serious offences (4.09.1998) by Bail Act 1997 (16\/1997), s. 1 and sch. paras. 16(e), 29 and 30, S.I. No. 315 of 1998; as substituted (18.05.2007) by Criminal Justice Act 2007 (29\/2007), s. 17(b), S.I. No. 236 of 2007.<\/p>\n<h4>Power to prohibit manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan of offensive weapons.<\/h4>\n<p>12.\u2014(1) Any person who\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) manufactures, sells or hires, or offers or exposes for sale or hire, or by way of business repairs or modifies, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) has in his possession for the purpose of sale or hire or for the purpose of repair or modification by way of business, or<\/p>\n<p>(c) puts on display, or lends or gives to any other person,<\/p>\n<p>a weapon to which this section applies shall be guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Where an offence under subsection (1) is committed by a body corporate and is proved to have been so committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of a director, manager, secretary or other officer of the body corporate, the director, manager, secretary or other officer or any person purporting to act in such capacity shall also be guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding F20[\u20ac5,000] or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding F20[7 years] or to both.<\/p>\n<p>(4) The Minister may by order direct that this section shall apply to any description of weapon specified in the order except any firearm subject to the Firearms Acts, 1925 to 1990.<\/p>\n<p>(5) The Minister may by order amend or revoke an order made under this section.<\/p>\n<p>(6) The importation of a weapon to which this section applies is hereby prohibited.<\/p>\n<p>(7) Every order made under this section 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 is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F20<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2006) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (12\/1990), s. 8A as inserted by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 64 and sch. 1, S.I. No. 390 of 2006. A fine of \u20ac5,000 translates into a class A fine, not greater than \u20ac5,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 4(3) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E8<br \/>\nPower pursuant to section exercised (1.09.2009) by Firearms And Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 338 of 2009), amending S.I. No. 66 of 1991.<\/p>\n<p>E9<br \/>\nPower pursuant to section exercised (1.05.1991) by Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1991 (S.I. No. 66 of 1991).<\/p>\n<p>E10<br \/>\nOffences under section designated serious offences (4.09.1998) by Bail Act 1997 (16\/1997), s. 1 and sch. paras. 16(f), 29 and 30, S.I. No. 315 of 1998; as substituted (18.05.2007) by Criminal Justice Act 2007 (29\/2007), s. 17(b), S.I. No. 236 of 2007.<\/p>\n<h4>Shortening barrel of shot-gun or rifle.<\/h4>\n<p>12A.\u2014 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who shortens the barrel of\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) a shot-gun to a length of less than 61 centimetres, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) a rifle to a length of less than 50 centimetres,<\/p>\n<p>is guilty of an offence.<\/p>\n<p>(2) It is not an offence under subsection (1) for a registered firearms dealer to shorten the barrel of a shot-gun or rifle to a length of less than 61 or 50 centimetres respectively if the sole purpose of doing so is to replace a defective part of the barrel with a barrel of not less than 61 or 50 centimetres, as the case may be.<\/p>\n<p>(3) It is an offence for a person to convert into a firearm anything which resembles a firearm but is not capable of discharging a projectile.<\/p>\n<p>(4) Subject to subsection (5), it is an offence to modify a firearm so as to render its reloading mechanism fully automatic or to increase its calibre, irrespective of whether the firearm, as so modified, is a restricted firearm.<\/p>\n<p>(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to a firearm designed and manufactured so as to enable barrels of different calibres to be attached to it.<\/p>\n<p>(6) It is an offence for a person (except a registered firearms dealer) to possess without lawful authority or reasonable excuse\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) a shot-gun the barrel of which is less than 61 centimetres in length,<\/p>\n<p>(b) a rifle the barrel of which is less than 50 centimetres in length,<\/p>\n<p>(c) a converted firearm mentioned in subsection (3), or<\/p>\n<p>(d) a firearm which has been modified as described in subsection (4).<\/p>\n<p>(7) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or such shorter term as the court may determine, subject to subsections (9) to (11) of this section F22[\u2026] and<\/p>\n<p>(b) at the court\u2019s discretion, to a fine of such amount as the court considers appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>(8) The court, in imposing sentence on a person for an offence under this section, may, in particular, have regard to whether the person has a previous conviction for an offence under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2006, the Offences against the State Acts 1939 to 1998 or the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005.<\/p>\n<p>(9) Where a person (other than a person under the age of 18 years) is convicted of an offence under this section, the court shall, in imposing sentence, specify a term of imprisonment of not less than 5 years (in this section referred to as the \u201cminimum term of imprisonment\u201d) as the minimum term of imprisonment to be served by the person.<\/p>\n<p>(9A) The purpose of subsections (10) and (11) is to provide that in view of the harm caused to society by the unlawful possession and use of firearms, a court, in imposing sentence on a person (other than a person under the age of 18 years) for an offence under this section, shall specify as the minimum term of imprisonment to be served by the person a term of not less than 5 years, unless the court determines that by reason of exceptional and specific circumstances relating to the offence, or the person convicted of it, it would be unjust in all the circumstances to do so.<\/p>\n<p>(10) Subsection (9) does not apply where the court is satisfied that there are exceptional and specific circumstances relating to the offence, or to the person convicted of it, which would make the minimum term of imprisonment unjust in all the circumstances, and for this purpose the court may , subject to subsection (11), have regard to any matters it considers appropriate, including\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) whether the person pleaded guilty to the offence and, if so\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) the stage at which the intention to plead guilty was indicated, and<\/p>\n<p>(ii) the circumstances in which the indication was given,<\/p>\n<p>and<\/p>\n<p>(b) whether the person materially assisted in the investigation of the offence.<\/p>\n<p>(11) The court, in considering for the purposes of subsection (10) of this section whether a sentence of not less than 5 years imprisonment is unjust in all the circumstances, may have regard, in particular, to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) whether the person convicted of the offence has a previous conviction for an offence under the Firearms Acts 1925 to 2006, the Offences Against the State Acts 1939 to 1998 or the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) whether the public interest in preventing the unlawful possession or use of firearms would be served by the imposition of a lesser sentence.<\/p>\n<p>(12) F22[\u2026]<\/p>\n<p>(13) F22[\u2026]<\/p>\n<p>(14) Section 27C of the Firearms Act 1964 applies in relation to proceedings for an offence under this section and any minimum term of imprisonment imposed under subsection (9) F22[\u2026] in those proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F21<br \/>\nInserted (1.11.2006) by Criminal Justice Act 2006 (26\/2006), s. 65, S.I. No. 390 of 2006.<\/p>\n<p>F22<br \/>\nDeleted (27.12.2021) by Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2021 (36\/2021), s. 7(a)-(c), S.I. No. 777 of 2021, subject to certain retrospective effects in s. 10.<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E11<br \/>\nOffences under section designated serious offences (4.09.1998) by Bail Act 1997 (16\/1997), s. 1 and sch. paras. 16(g), 29 and 30, S.I. No. 315 of 1998; as substituted (18.05.2007) by Criminal Justice Act 2007 (29\/2007), s. 17(b), S.I. No. 236 of 2007.<\/p>\n<p>E12<br \/>\nPrevious affecting provision: subs. (13)(b) amended (18.05.2007) by Criminal Justice Act 2007 (29\/2007), s. 40, S.I. No. 236 of 2007; subsection deleted as per F-note above.<\/p>\n<p>Forfeiture of weapons and other articles.<\/p>\n<p>13.\u2014(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this Part, the court by or before which he is convicted may order any article in respect of which the offence was committed to be forfeited and either destroyed or otherwise disposed of in such manner as the court may determine.<\/p>\n<p>(2) 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.<\/p>\n<h4>Power of arrest without warrant.<\/h4>\n<p>14.\u2014A member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na may arrest without warrant any person who is, or whom the member, with reasonable cause, suspects to be, in the act of committing an offence under section 9, 10 or 11.<\/p>\n<h4>Search warrants.<\/h4>\n<p>15.\u2014If a justice of the District Court or a Peace Commissioner is satisfied on the sworn information of a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na that there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that an offence under section 12 has been or is being committed on any premises, he may issue a warrant under his hand authorising a specified member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, accompanied by such other members of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na as the member thinks necessary, 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 specified in the warrant and to seize anything found there that he believes on reasonable grounds may be required to be used in evidence in any proceedings for an offence under section 12 or an offence under the Customs Acts in relation to the importation into the State of a weapon to which section 12 applies.<\/p>\n<p>F23[<\/p>\n<h4>Power of search without warrant.<\/h4>\n<p>16.\u2014 (1) If a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na suspects with reasonable cause that a person has with him or her in any public place (within the meaning of section 9(8)) any article in contravention of section 9 or 9A (inserted by section 40 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009), he may:<\/p>\n<p>(a) search the person and, if he or she considers it necessary for that purpose, detain the person for such time as is reasonably necessary for carrying out the search,<\/p>\n<p>(b) search any vehicle, vessel or aircraft in which he or she suspects that such article may be found and for the purpose of carrying out the search may, if he or she thinks fit, require the person who for the time being is in possession or control of such vehicle, vessel or aircraft to bring it to a stop and when stopped to refrain from moving it, or in case such vehicle, vessel or aircraft is already stationary, to refrain from moving it, or<\/p>\n<p>(c) seize and detain anything found in the course of a search under this section that appears to him or her to be something that might be required as evidence in proceedings for an offence under section 9 or 9A.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Nothing in this section shall operate to prejudice any powers to search, seize or detain property that may be exercisable by a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na apart from this section.]<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F23<br \/>\nSubstituted (1.08.2009) by Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (28\/2009), s. 41, S.I. No. 310 of 2009.<\/p>\n<p>F24[<\/p>\n<h4>Provision of information by Commissioner to Minister<\/h4>\n<p>16A. (1) The Minister may request the Commissioner of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na to provide any information necessary for the performance of the Minister\u2019s functions under sections 9C and 9E and the Commissioner shall, notwithstanding anything contained in any other enactment or rule of law, but subject to the Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018, comply with that request.<\/p>\n<p>(2) In this section &#8220;Data Protection Regulation&#8221; means Regulation (EU) 2016\/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 201616 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95\/46\/EC (General Data Protection Regulation).]<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F24<br \/>\nInserted (25.05.2018) by Data Protection Act 2018 (7\/2018), s. 174, S.I. No. 174 of 2018.<\/p>\n<p>16 OJ No. L 119, 4.5.2016, p.1<\/p>\n<h4>Extension of section 8 of Criminal Law Act, 1976.<\/h4>\n<p>17.\u2014Section 8 of the Criminal Law Act, 1976, is hereby amended by the insertion in subsection (1) after paragraph (i) of the following paragraph:<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(j) an offence under section 12 (1) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Repeal of portion of section 4 of Vagrancy Act, 1824.<\/p>\n<p>18.\u2014Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act, 1824 (as extended to Ireland by section 15 of the Prevention of Crimes Act, 1871), is hereby amended by the deletion of \u201cor being armed with any gun, pistol, hanger, cutlass, bludgeon, or other offensive weapon,\u201d and \u201cand every such gun, pistol, hanger, cutlass, bludgeon, or other offensive weapon,\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>S.I. No. 66\/1991 &#8211;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 (Offensive Weapons) Order, 1991.<\/h2>\n<p>S.I. No. 66 of 1991.<\/p>\n<p>FIREARMS AND OFFENSIVE WEAPONS ACT, 1990 (OFFENSIVE WEAPONS) ORDER, 1991.<\/p>\n<p>I, RAY BURKE, Minister for Justice, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 12 (4) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 (No. 12 of 1990), hereby order as follows:<\/p>\n<p>1. (1) This Order may be cited as the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 (Offensive Weapons) Order, 1991.<\/p>\n<p>(2) This Order shall come into operation on the 1st day of May, 1991.<\/p>\n<p>2. It is hereby directed that section 12 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 (No. 12 of 1990), shall apply to the following descriptions of weapons:<\/p>\n<p>( a ) a flick-knife, that is to say\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) a knife which opens when hand pressure is applied to a button, spring, lever or other device in or attached to the handle, or<\/p>\n<p>(ii) a knife which has a blade which is released from the handle or sheath by the force of gravity or the application of centrifugal force and when released is locked in an open position by means of a button, spring, lever or other device;<\/p>\n<p>( b ) a knuckleduster, that is to say\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) a band of metal or other hard material worn on one or more fingers, and designed to cause injury, or<\/p>\n<p>(ii) any weapon incorporating a knuckleduster;<\/p>\n<p>( c ) a swordstick or dagger cane, that is, a hollow walking-stick or cane containing a blade which may be used as a sword or dagger;<\/p>\n<p>( d ) a sword umbrella, that is an umbrella containing a blade which may be used as a sword;<\/p>\n<p>( e ) any weapon from which one or more sharp spikes protrude which is worn attached to the foot, ankle, hand or wrist (sometimes known when intended to be attached to the foot, as a footclaw and, when intended to be attached to the hand, as a handclaw);<\/p>\n<p>( f ) the weapon sometimes known as a belt buckle knife, being a buckle which incorporates or conceals a knife;<\/p>\n<p>( g ) the weapon sometimes known as a push dagger, being a knife the handle of which fits within a clenched fist and the blade of which protrudes from between two fingers;<\/p>\n<p>( h ) the weapon sometimes known as a hollow kubotan, being a cylindrical container containing a number of sharp spikes;<\/p>\n<p>( i ) the weapon sometimes known as a shuriken, shaken or death star, being a hard non-flexible plate having three or more sharp radiating points and designed to be thrown;<\/p>\n<p>( j ) the weapon sometimes known as a balisong or butterfly knife, being a blade enclosed by its handle, which is designed to split down the middle, without the operation of a spring or other mechanical means, to reveal the blade;<\/p>\n<p>( k ) the weapon sometimes known as a telescopic truncheon or telescopic billy, being a truncheon which extends automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring or other device in or attached to its handle;<\/p>\n<p>( l ) the weapon sometimes known as a blowpipe or blow gun, being a hollow tube out of which hard pellets or darts are shot by the use of human breath;<\/p>\n<p>( m ) the weapon sometimes known as a kusari gama, being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at one end to a sickle;<\/p>\n<p>( n ) the weapon sometimes known as a kyoketsu shoge, being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at one end to a hooked knife;<\/p>\n<p>( o ) the weapon sometimes known as a manrikigusari or kusari, being a length of rope, cord, wire or chain fastened at each end to a hard weight or hand grip;<\/p>\n<p>( p ) the weapon sometimes known as a sap glove, being a glove into which metal or some other hard material has been inserted or to which metal or such material has been attached;<\/p>\n<p>( q ) the broad knife known as a machete or matchet.<\/p>\n<p>GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 25th day of March, 1991.<\/p>\n<p>RAY BURKE,<\/p>\n<p>Minister for Justice.<\/p>\n<h4>EXPLANATORY NOTE.<\/h4>\n<p>This Order specifies descriptions of weapons whose manufacture, importation, sale, hire or loan is prohibited by virtue of section 12 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990 .<\/p>\n<p>S.I. No. 338\/2009 &#8211;<\/p>\n<h2>Firearms and offensive Weapons Act 1990 (offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2009<\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>View SIAmendments<br \/>\nNotice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIris Oifigi\u00fail\u201d of 28th August, 2009.<\/p>\n<p>I, DERMOT AHERN, Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 12 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (No. 12 of 1990), hereby order as follows:<\/p>\n<p>1. (1) This Order may be cited as the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment) Order 2009.<\/p>\n<p>(2) This Order shall come into operation on 1 September 2009.<\/p>\n<p>2. Article 2 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 (Offensive Weapons) Order 1991 ( S.I. No. 66 of 1991 ) is amended as follows:<\/p>\n<p>(a) in paragraph (e) by substituting \u201cfoot, ankle, arm, hand or wrist\u201d for \u201cfoot, ankle, hand or wrist\u201d;<\/p>\n<p>(b) in paragraph (q) by substituting \u201cmachete or matchet;\u201d for \u201cmachete or matchet.\u201d;<\/p>\n<p>(c) by inserting, after paragraph (q), the following paragraph:<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(r) the sword sometimes known as samurai or katana, other than such a sword\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) made before 1954, or<\/p>\n<p>(ii) made at any other time according to traditional methods of making swords by hand.\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\/images\/ls<\/p>\n<p>GIVEN under my Official Seal,<\/p>\n<p>25 August 2009.<\/p>\n<p>DERMOT AHERN,<\/p>\n<p>Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-1282\" data-postid=\"1282\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-1282 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Knife Offences Where a person has a knife or other article which has a blade or which is sharply pointed, in a public place, he is guilty of an offence.\u00a0 It is a defence if the person charged proves that he had the same with good reason or lawful authority including, for example, for work [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[66],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1282"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1282"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1282\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33453,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1282\/revisions\/33453"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}