Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001

Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2001 Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Revised Act Acht Athbh… Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 50 of 2001 CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT, 2001 ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS PART 1 Preliminary Section 1. Short title and commencement. 2. Interpretation (general). 3. Repeals, etc. PART 2 Theft and Related Offences 4. Theft. 5. Exceptions to theft. 6. Making gain or causing loss by deception. 7. Obtaining services by deception. 8. Making off without payment. 9. Unlawful use of computer. 10. False accounting. 11. Suppression, etc., of documents. 12. Burglary. 13. Aggravated burglary. 14. Robbery. 15. Possession of certain articles. PART 3 Handling, ETC. Stolen Property and other Proceeds OF Crime 16. Interpretation (Part 3). 17. Handling stolen property. 18. Possession of stolen property. 19. Withholding information regarding stolen property. 20. Scope of offences relating to stolen property. 21. Amendment of section 31 of Criminal Justice Act, 1994. 22. Amendment of section 56A of Criminal Justice Act, 1994. 23. Amendment of Criminal Justice Act, 1994. PART 4 Forgery 24. Interpretation (Part 4). 25. Forgery. 26. Using false instrument. 27. Copying false instrument. 28. Using copy of false instrument. 29. Custody or control of certain false instruments, etc. 30. Meaning of “false” and “making”. 31. Meaning of “prejudice” and “induce”. PART 5 Counterfeiting 32. Interpretation (Part 5). 33. Counterfeiting currency notes and coins. 34. Passing, etc. counterfeit currency notes or coins. 35. Custody or control of counterfeit currency notes and coins. 36. Materials and implements for counterfeiting. 37. Import and export of counterfeits. 38. Certain offences committed outside the State. 39. Measures to detect counterfeiting. PART 6 Convention on Protection of European Communities' Financial Interests 40. Interpretation (Part 6). 41. Convention and Protocols to have force of law. 42. Fraud affecting European Communities' financial interests. 43. Active corruption. 44. Passive corruption. 45. Extra-territorial jurisdiction in case of certain offences. 46. Restriction on certain proceedings. 47. Extradition for revenue offences. PART 7 Investigation of Offences 48. Search warrants. 49. Obstruction of Garda acting on warrant. 50. Forfeiture of seized property. 51. Concealing facts disclosed by documents. 52. Order to produce evidential material. PART 8 Trial of Offences 53. Summary trial of indictable offences. 54. Trial procedure. 55. Alternative verdicts. 56. Orders for restitution. 57. Provision of information to juries. PART 9 Miscellaneous 58. Liability for offences by bodies corporate and unincorporated. 59. Reporting of offences. 60. Evidence in proceedings. 61. Jurisdiction of District Court in certain proceedings. 62. Amendment of section 9 of Married Women's Status Act, 1957. 63. Amendment of Defence Act, 1954. 64. Amendment of Bail Act, 1997. 65. Effect of Act and transitional provisions. SCHEDULE 1 Enactments Repealed SCHEDULE 2 Text in the English language OF THE Convention drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 OF the Treaty ON European Union, on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests done at Brussels ON 26 July 1995 SCHEDULE 3 Text in the Irish language of the Convention drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty ON European Union, on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests done at Brussels ON 26 July 1995 SCHEDULE 4 Text in the english language of the Protocol drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union TO THE Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests done at Brussels ON 27 September 1996 SCHEDULE 5 Text in the Irish language of the Protocol drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union to the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests done at Brussels ON 27 September 1996 SCHEDULE 6 Text in the English language of the Protocol drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 of the Treaty on European Union, on the interpretation, by way of preliminary rulings, by the Court of Justice of the European Communities of the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests done at Brussels on 29 November 1996 SCHEDULE 7 Text in the Irish language of the Protocol drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 OF THE Treaty on European Union, on the interpretation, by way of preliminary rulings, by the Court of Justice of the European Communities of the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests done at brussels on 29 November 1996 SCHEDULE 8 Text in the English language of the Protocol drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 OF THE Treaty on European Union, to the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests done at Brussels on 19 June 1997 SCHEDULE 9 Text in the Irish language of the Protocol drawn up on the basis of Article K.3 OF THE Treaty on European Union, to the Convention on the protection of the European Communities financial interests done at Brussels on 19 June 1997 Acts Referred to ACC Bank Acts, 1978 to 2001 Bail Act, 1997 1997, No. 16 Building Societies Act, 1989 1989, No. 17 Central Bank Act, 1971 1971, No. 24 Central Bank Act, 1997 1997, No. 8 Coinage Offences Act, 1861 24 & 25 Vict., c. 99 Continental Shelf Act, 1968 1968, No. 14 Credit Union Act, 1997 1997, No. 15 Criminal Evidence Act, 1992 1992, No. 12 Criminal Justice Act, 1951 1951, No. 2 Criminal Justice Act, 1984 1984, No. 22 Criminal Justice Act, 1994 1994, No. 15 Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997 1997, No. 4 Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 1994, No. 2 Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976 1976, No. 14 Criminal Procedure Act, 1967 1967, No. 12 Debtors (Ireland) Act, 1872 35 & 36 Vict., c. 57 Defence Act, 1954 1954, No. 18 Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 1995, No. 22 European Communities Acts, 1972 to 1998 Extradition Act, 1965 1965, No. 17 Falsification of Accounts Act, 1875 38 & 39 Vict., c. 24 Forgery Act, 1861 24 & 25 Vict., c. 96 Forgery Act, 1913 3 & 4 Geo. 5, c. 27 Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956 1956, No. 2 Larceny Act, 1861 24 & 25 Vict., c. 96 Larceny Act, 1916 6 & 7 Geo. 5, c. 50 Larceny Act, 1990 1990, No. 9 Married Women's Status Act, 1957 1957, No. 5 Official Secrets Act, 1963 1963, No. 1 Police (Property) Act, 1897 Ch. 30 Road Traffic Act, 1961 1961, No. 24 Sale of Goods Act, 1893 56 & 57 Vict., c. 71 Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act, 1862 24 & 25 Vict., c. 50 Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 1997, No. 39 Trustee Savings Banks Acts, 1989 and 2001 Number 50 of 2001 CRIMINAL JUSTICE (THEFT AND FRAUD OFFENCES) ACT, 2001 Number 50 of 2001 AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW RELATING TO STEALING AND RELATED OFFENCES AND THEIR INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL; TO GIVE THE FORCE OF LAW TO PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION ON THE PROTECTION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES' FINANCIAL INTERESTS DONE AT BRUSSELS ON 26 JULY 1995 AND THE THREE PROTOCOLS TO THAT CONVENTION; AND TO PROVIDE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL AND RELATED MATTERS. [19th December, 2001] BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS: PART 1 Preliminary Short title and commencement. 1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. (2) Subject to subsection (3), this Act shall come into operation on such day or days as may be appointed by order or orders made by the Minister, either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision, and different days may be so appointed for different purposes and different provisions of this Act. (3) Parts 5 and 7 and sections 23, 53, 58 and 60(1) shall come into operation on the passing of this Act. Interpretation (general). 2.—(1) In this Act— “appropriates” has the meaning given to it by section 4 (5); “deception” has the meaning given to it by subsection (2); “dishonestly” means without a claim of right made in good faith; “document” includes— (a) a map, plan, graph, drawing, photograph or record, or (b) a reproduction in permanent legible form, by a computer or other means (including enlarging), of information in non-legible form; “gain” and “loss” have the meanings given to them by subsection (3); “information in non-legible form” means information which is kept (by electronic means or otherwise) on microfilm, microfiche, magnetic tape or disk or in any other non-legible form; “owner” and “ownership”, in relation to property, have the meanings given to them by subsection (4); “premises” includes a vehicle, vessel, aircraft or hovercraft or an installation in the territorial seas or in a designated area (within the meaning of the Continental Shelf Act, 1968 ) or a tent, caravan or other temporary or movable structure; “property” means money and all other property, real or personal, including things in action and other intangible property; “record” includes any information in non-legible form which is capable of being reproduced in permanent legible form; “stealing” means committing an offence under section 4 , and cognate words shall be construed accordingly; “stolen property” includes property which has been unlawfully obtained otherwise than by stealing, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly; “theft” has the meaning given to it by section 4 (1); and “unlawfully obtained” means obtained in circumstances constituting an offence, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly. (2) For the purposes of this Act a person deceives if he or she— (a) creates or reinforces a false impression, including a false impression as to law, value or intention or other state of mind, (b) prevents another person from acquiring information which would affect that person's judgement of a transaction, or (c) fails to correct a false impression which the deceiver previously created or reinforced or which the deceiver knows to be influencing another to whom he or she stands in a fiduciary or confidential relationship, and references to deception shall be construed accordingly. (3) For the purposes of this Act— (a) “gain” and “loss” are to be construed as extending only to gain or loss in money or other property, whether any such gain or loss is temporary or permanent, (b) “gain” includes a gain by keeping what one has, as well as a gain by getting what one has not, and (c) “loss” includes a loss by not getting what one might get, as well as a loss by parting with what one has. (4) For the purposes of this Act— (a) a person shall be regarded as owning property if he or she has possession or control of it, or has in it any proprietary right or interest (not being an equitable interest arising only from an agreement to transfer or grant an interest); (b) where property is subject to a trust, the persons who own it shall be regarded as including any person having a right to enforce the trust, and an intention to defeat the trust shall be regarded accordingly as an intention to deprive of the property any person having that right; (c) where a person receives property from or on behalf of another, and is under an obligation to that other person to retain and deal with that property or its proceeds in a particular way, that other person shall be regarded (as against the first-mentioned person) as the owner of the property; (d) where a person gets property by another's mistake and is under an obligation to make restoration (in whole or in part) of the property or its proceeds or of the value thereof, then the person entitled to restoration shall to the extent of that obligation be regarded (as against the first-mentioned person) as the owner of the property or its proceeds or an amount equivalent to its value, and an intention not to make restoration shall be regarded accordingly as an intention to deprive that person of the property, proceeds or such amount; (e) property of a corporation sole shall be regarded as belonging to the corporation notwithstanding a vacancy in the corporation, and references to “owner” and “ownership” shall be construed accordingly. (5) (a) A reference in this Act to a Part, section or Schedule is a reference to a Part, section or Schedule of this Act unless it is indicated that a reference to some other Act is intended. (b) A reference in this Act to a subsection, paragraph or subparagraph is to the subsection, paragraph or subparagraph of the provision in which the reference occurs unless it is indicated that a reference to some other provision is intended. (c) A reference in this Act to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment as amended, adapted or extended, whether before or after the passing of this Act, by or under any subsequent enactment. Repeals, etc. 3.—(1) Subject to section 65 , the Acts specified in Schedule 1 are repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule. (2) Any offence at common law of larceny, burglary, robbery, cheating (except in relation to the public revenue), extortion under colour of office and forgery is abolished. (3) The abolition of a common law offence mentioned in subsection (2) shall not affect proceedings for any such offence committed before its abolition. PART 2 Theft and Related Offences Theft. 4.—(1) Subject to section 5 , a person is guilty of theft if he or she dishonestly appropriates property without the consent of its owner and with the intention of depriving its owner of it. (2) For the purposes of this section a person does not appropriate property without the consent of its owner if— (a) the person believes that he or she has the owner's consent, or would have the owner's consent if the owner knew of the appropriation of the property and the circumstances in which it was appropriated, or (b) (except where the property came to the person as trustee or personal representative) he or she appropriates the property in the belief that the owner cannot be discovered by taking reasonable steps, but consent obtained by deception or intimidation is not consent for those purposes. (3) (a) This subsection applies to a person who in the course of business holds property in trust for, or on behalf of, more than one owner. (b) Where a person to whom this subsection applies appropriates some of the property so held to his or her own use or benefit, the person shall, for the purposes of subsection (1) but subject to subsection (2), be deemed to have appropriated the property or, as the case may be, a sum representing it without the consent of its owner or owners. (c) If in any proceedings against a person to whom this subsection applies for theft of some or all of the property so held by him or her it is proved that— (i) there is a deficiency in the property or a sum representing it, and (ii) the person has failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the whole or any part of the deficiency, it shall be presumed, until the contrary is proved, for the purposes of subsection (1) but subject to subsection (2), that the person appropriated, without the consent of its owner or owners, the whole or that part of the deficiency. (4) If at the trial of a person for theft the court or jury, as the case may be has to consider whether the person believed— (a) that he or she had not acted dishonestly, or (b) that the owner of the property concerned had consented or would have consented to its appropriation, or (c) that the owner could not be discovered by taking reasonable steps, the presence or absence of reasonable grounds for such a belief is a matter to which the court or jury shall have regard, in conjunction with any other relevant matters, in considering whether the person so believed. (5) In this section— “appropriates”, in relation to property, means usurps or adversely interferes with the proprietary rights of the owner of the property; “depriving” means temporarily or permanently depriving. (6) A person guilty of theft is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. Exceptions to theft. 5.—(1) Where property or a right or interest in property is or purports to be transferred for value to a person acting in good faith, no later assumption by that person of rights which that person believes himself or herself to be acquiring shall, by reason of any defect in the transferor's title, amount to theft of the property. (2) A person cannot steal land, or things forming part of land and severed from it by or under his or her directions, except where the person— (a) being a trustee, personal representative or other person authorised by power of attorney or as liquidator of a company or otherwise to sell or dispose of land owned by another, appropriates the land or anything forming part of it by dealing with it in breach of the confidence reposed in him or her, or (b) not being in possession of the land, appropriates anything forming part of the land by severing it or causing it to be severed, or after it has been severed, or (c) being in possession of the land under a tenancy or licence, appropriates the whole or part of any fixture or structure let or licensed to be used with the land. (3) For the purposes of subsection (2)— (a) “land” does not include incorporeal hereditaments, “tenancy” means a tenancy for years or any less period and includes an agreement for such a tenancy, “licence” includes an agreement for a licence, and (b) a person who after the expiration of a tenancy or licence remains in possession of land shall be treated as having possession under the tenancy or licence, and “let” and “licensed” shall be construed accordingly. (4) A person who picks mushrooms or any other fungus growing wild on any land, or who picks flowers, fruit or foliage from a plant (including any shrub or tree) growing wild on any land, does not (although not in possession of the land) steal what is picked, unless he or she does it for reward or for sale or other commercial purpose. (5) Wild creatures, tamed or untamed, shall be regarded as property; but a person cannot steal a wild creature not tamed or ordinarily kept in captivity, or the carcase of any such creature, unless it has been reduced into possession by or on behalf of another person and possession of it has not since been lost or abandoned, or another person is in course of reducing it into possession. Making gain or causing loss by deception. 6.—(1) A person who dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for himself or herself or another, or of causing loss to another, by any deception induces another to do or refrain from doing an act is guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. Obtaining services by deception. 7.—(1) A person who dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for himself or herself or another, or of causing loss to another, by any deception obtains services from another is guilty of an offence. (2) For the purposes of this section a person obtains services from another where the other is induced to confer a benefit on some person by doing some act, or causing or permitting some act to be done, on the understanding that the benefit has been or will be paid for. (3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2), a person obtains services where the other is induced to make a loan, or to cause or permit a loan to be made, on the understanding that any payment (whether by way of interest or otherwise) will be or has been made in respect of the loan. (4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. Making off without payment. 8.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who, knowing that payment on the spot for any goods obtained or any service done is required or expected, dishonestly makes off without having paid as required or expected and with the intention of avoiding payment on the spot is guilty of an offence. (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply where the supply of the goods or the doing of the service is contrary to law or where the service done is such that payment is not legally enforceable. (3) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), any person may arrest without warrant anyone who is or whom he or she, with reasonable cause, suspects to be in the act of committing an offence under this section. (4) Where a member of the Garda Síochána, with reasonable cause, suspects that an offence under this section has been committed, he or she may arrest without warrant any person whom the member, with reasonable cause, suspects to be guilty of the offence. (5) An arrest other than by a member of the Garda Síochána may be effected by a person under subsection (3) only where the person, with reasonable cause, suspects that the person to be arrested by him or her would otherwise attempt to avoid, or is avoiding, arrest by a member of the Garda Síochána. (6) A person who is arrested pursuant to this section by a person other than a member of the Garda Síochána shall be transferred by that person into the custody of the Garda Síochána as soon as practicable. (7) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding £3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both. Unlawful use of computer. 9.—(1) A person who dishonestly, whether within or outside the State, operates or causes to be operated a computer within the State with the intention of making a gain for himself or herself or another, or of causing loss to another, is guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. False accounting. 10.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he or she dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for himself or herself or another, or of causing loss to another— (a) destroys, defaces, conceals or falsifies any account or any document made or required for any accounting purpose, (b) fails to make or complete any account or any such document, or (c) in furnishing information for any purpose produces or makes use of any account, or any such document, which to his or her knowledge is or may be misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular. (2) For the purposes of this section a person shall be treated as falsifying an account or other document if he or she— (a) makes or concurs in making therein an entry which is or may be misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular, or (b) omits or concurs in omitting a material particular therefrom. (3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. Suppression, etc., of documents. 11.—(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he or she dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for himself or herself or another, or of causing loss to another, destroys, defaces or conceals any valuable security, any will or other testamentary document or any original document of or belonging to, or filed or deposited in, any court or any government department or office. (2) (a) A person who dishonestly, with the intention of making a gain for himself or herself or another, or of causing loss to another, by any deception procures the execution of a valuable security is guilty of an offence. (b) Paragraph (a) shall apply in relation to— (i) the making, acceptance, endorsement, alteration, cancellation or destruction in whole or in part of a valuable security, and (ii) the signing or sealing of any paper or other material in order that it may be made or converted into, or used or dealt with as, a valuable security, as if that were the execution of a valuable security. (3) In this section, “valuable security” means any document— (a) creating, transferring, surrendering or releasing any right to, in or over property, (b) authorising the payment of money or delivery of any property, or (c) evidencing the creation, transfer, surrender or release of any such right, the payment of money or delivery of any property or the satisfaction of any obligation. (4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. Burglary. 12.—(1) A person is guilty of burglary if he or she— (a) enters any building or part of a building as a trespasser and with intent to commit an arrestable offence, or (b) having entered any building or part of a building as a trespasser, commits or attempts to commit any such offence therein. (2) References in subsection (1) to a building shall apply also to an inhabited vehicle or vessel and to any other inhabited temporary or movable structure, and shall apply to any such vehicle, vessel or structure at times when the person having a habitation in it is not there as well as at times when the person is there. (3) A person guilty of burglary is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or both. (4) In this section, “arrestable offence” means an offence for which a person of full age and not previously convicted may be punished by imprisonment for a term of five years or by a more severe penalty. Aggravated burglary. 13.—(1) A person is guilty of aggravated burglary if he or she commits any burglary and at the time has with him or her any firearm or imitation firearm, any weapon of offence or any explosive. (2) In subsection (1)— “explosive” means any article manufactured for the purpose of producing a practical effect by explosion, or intended by the person having it with him or her for that purpose; “firearm” means: (a) a lethal firearm or other lethal weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged, (b) an air gun (which expression includes an air rifle and an air pistol) or any other weapon incorporating a barrel from which metal or other slugs can be discharged, (c) a crossbow, (d) any type of stun gun or other weapon for causing any shock or other disablement to a person by means of electricity or any other kind of energy emission; “imitation firearm” means anything which is not a firearm but has the appearance of being one; “weapon of offence” means: (a) any article which has a blade or sharp point, (b) any other article made or adapted for use for causing injury to or incapacitating a person, or intended by the person having it with him or her for such use or for threatening such use, (c) any weapon of whatever description designed for the discharge of any noxious liquid, noxious gas or other noxious thing. (3) A person guilty of aggravated burglary is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life. Robbery. 14.—(1) A person is guilty of robbery if he or she steals, and immediately before or at the time of doing so, and in order to do so, uses force on any person or puts or seeks to put any person in fear of being then and there subjected to force. (2) A person guilty of robbery is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life. Possession of certain articles. 15.—(1) A person who is, when not at his or her place of residence, in possession of any article with the intention that it be used in the course of or in connection with— (a) theft or burglary, (b) an offence under section 6 or 7, (c) an offence under section 17 (blackmail, extortion, demanding money with menaces) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 , or (d) an offence under section 112 (taking a vehicle without lawful authority) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 , is guilty of an offence. (2) A person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, is in possession of any article made or adapted for use in the course of or in connection with the commission of an offence referred to in paragraph (a) to (d) of subsection (1) is guilty of an offence. (3) Where a person is convicted of an offence under this section, the court may order that any article for the possession of which he or she was so convicted shall be forfeited and either destroyed or disposed of in such manner as the court may determine. (4) An order under subsection (3) 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. (5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both. PART 3 Handling, ETC. Stolen Property AND OTHER Proceeds OF Crime Interpretation (Part 3). 16.—(1) In this Part “principal offender”, for the purposes of sections 17 and 18, means the person who has stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained the property alleged to have been handled or possessed, and cognate words shall be construed accordingly. (2) For the purposes of this Part, a person is reckless if he or she disregards a substantial risk that the property handled is stolen, and for those purposes “substantial risk” means a risk of such a nature and degree that, having regard to the circumstances in which the person acquired the property and the extent of the information then available to him or her, its disregard involves culpability of a high degree. (3) This Part is without prejudice to section 31 (as substituted by section 21 of this Act) of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 . Handling stolen property. 17.—(1) A person is guilty of handling stolen property if (otherwise than in the course of the stealing) he or she, knowing that the property was stolen or being reckless as to whether it was stolen, dishonestly— (a) receives or arranges to receive it, or (b) undertakes, or assists in, its retention, removal, disposal or realisation by or for the benefit of another person, or arranges to do so. (2) Where a person— (a) receives or arranges to receive property, or (b) undertakes, or assists in, its retention, removal, disposal or realisation by or for the benefit of another person, or arranges to do so, in such circumstances that it is reasonable to conclude that the person either knew that the property was stolen or was reckless as to whether it was stolen, he or she shall be taken for the purposes of this section to have so known or to have been so reckless, unless the court or the jury, as the case may be, is satisfied having regard to all the evidence that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether he or she so knew or was so reckless. (3) A person to whom this section applies may be tried and convicted whether the principal offender has or has not been previously convicted or is or is not amenable to justice. (4) A person guilty of handling stolen property is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both, but is not liable to a higher fine or longer term of imprisonment than that which applies to the principal offence. Possession of stolen property. 18.—(1) A person who, without lawful authority or excuse, possesses stolen property (otherwise than in the course of the stealing), knowing that the property was stolen or being reckless as to whether it was stolen, is guilty of an offence. (2) Where a person has in his or her possession stolen property in such circumstances (including purchase of the property at a price below its market value) that it is reasonable to conclude that the person either knew that the property was stolen or was reckless as to whether it was stolen, he or she shall be taken for the purposes of this section to have so known or to have been so reckless, unless the court or the jury, as the case may be, is satisfied having regard to all the evidence that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether he or she so knew or was so reckless. (3) A person to whom this section applies may be tried and convicted whether the principal offender has or has not been previously convicted or is or is not amenable to justice. (4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both, but is not liable to a higher fine or longer term of imprisonment than that which applies to the principal offence. Withholding information regarding stolen property. 19.—(1) Where a member of the Garda Síochána— (a) has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence consisting of stealing property or of handling stolen property has been committed, (b) finds any person in possession of any property, (c) has reasonable grounds for believing that the property referred to in paragraph (b) includes, or may include, property referred to in paragraph (a) or part of it, or the whole or any part of the proceeds of that property or part, and (d) informs the person of his or her belief, the member may require the person to give an account of how he or she came by the property. (2) If the person fails or refuses, without reasonable excuse, to give such account or gives information that the person knows to be false or misleading, he or she is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both. (3) Subsection (2) shall not have effect unless the person when required to give the account was told in ordinary language by the member of the Garda Síochána what the effect of the failure or refusal might be. (4) Any information given by a person in compliance with a requirement under subsection (1) shall not be admissible in evidence against that person or his or her spouse in any criminal proceedings, other than proceedings for an offence under subsection (2). Scope of offences relating to stolen property. 20.—(1) The provisions of this Part relating to property which has been stolen apply— (a) whether the stealing occurred before or after the commencement of this Act, and (b) to stealing outside the State if the stealing constituted an offence where and at the time when the property was stolen, and references to stolen property shall be construed accordingly. (2) For the purposes of those provisions references to stolen property include, in addition to the property originally stolen and parts of it (whether in their original state or not)— (a) any property which directly or indirectly represents, or has at any time represented, the stolen property in the hands of the person who stole the property as being the proceeds of any disposal or realisation of the whole or part of the stolen property or of property so representing the stolen property, and (b) any property which directly or indirectly represents, or has at any time represented, the stolen property in the hands of a handler or possessor of the stolen property or any part of it as being the proceeds of any disposal or realisation of the whole or part of the stolen property handled or possessed by him or her or of property so representing it. (3) However, property shall not be regarded as having continued to be stolen property after it has been restored to the person from whom it was stolen or to other lawful possession or custody, or after that person and any other person claiming through him or her have otherwise ceased, as regards that property, to have any right to restitution in respect of the stealing. Amendment of section 31 of Criminal Justice Act, 1994. 21.—The Criminal Justice Act, 1994 , is hereby amended by the substitution of the following section for section 31 (money laundering, etc.): “31.—(1) A person is guilty of money laundering if, knowing or believing that property is or represents the proceeds of criminal conduct or being reckless as to whether it is or represents such proceeds, the person, without lawful authority or excuse (the proof of which shall lie on him or her)— (a) converts, transfers or handles the property, or removes it from the State, with the intention of— (i) concealing or disguising its true nature, source, location, disposition, movement or ownership or any rights with respect to it, or (ii) assisting another person to avoid prosecution for the criminal conduct concerned, or (iii) avoiding the making of a confiscation order or a confiscation co-operation order (within the meaning of section 46 of this Act) or frustrating its enforcement against that person or another person, (b) conceals or disguises its true nature, source, location, disposition, movement or ownership or any rights with respect to it, or (c) acquires, possesses or uses the property. (2) A person guilty of money laundering is liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years or to both. (3) Where a person— (a) converts, transfers, handles or removes from the State any property which is or represents the proceeds of criminal conduct, (b) conceals or disguises its true nature, source, location, disposition, movement or ownership or any rights with respect to it, or (c) acquires, possesses or uses it, in such circumstances that it is reasonable to conclude that the person— (i) knew or believed that the property was or represented the proceeds of criminal conduct, or (ii) was reckless as to whether it was or represented such proceeds, the person shall be taken to have so known or believed or to have been so reckless, unless the court or jury, as the case may be, is satisfied having regard to all the evidence that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether the person so knew or believed or was so reckless. (4) Where a person first referred to in subsection (1) of this section does an act referred to in paragraph (a) of that subsection in such circumstances that it is reasonable to conclude that the act was done with an intention specified in that paragraph, the person shall be taken to have done the act with that intention unless the court or jury, as the case may be, is satisfied having regard to all the evidence that there is a reasonable doubt as to whether the person did it with that intention. (5) This section does not apply to a person in respect of anything done by the person in connection with the enforcement of any law. (6) This Part shall apply whether the criminal conduct in question occurred before or after the commencement of this section and whether it was or is attributable to the person first mentioned in subsection (1) or another. (7) (a) In this section— (i) ‘criminal conduct’ means conduct which— (I) constitutes an indictable offence, or (II) where the conduct occurs outside the State, would constitute such an offence if it occurred within the State and also constitutes an offence under the law of the country or territorial unit in which it occurs, and includes participation in such conduct; (ii) ‘reckless’ shall be construed in accordance with section 16 (2) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001; (iii) references to converting, transferring, handling or removing any property include references to the provision of any advice or assistance in relation to converting, transferring, handling or removing it; (iv) references to believing that any property is or represents the proceeds of criminal conduct include references to thinking that the property was probably, or probably represented, such proceeds; (v) references to any property representing the proceeds of criminal conduct include references to the property representing those proceeds in whole or in part directly or indirectly, and cognate references shall be construed accordingly. (b) For the purposes of this section a person handles property if he or she, without a claim of right made in good faith— (i) receives it, or (ii) undertakes or assists in its retention, removal, disposal or realisation by or for the benefit of another person, or (iii) arranges to do any of the things specified in subparagraph (i) or (ii). (c) For the purposes of paragraph (a)(i)(II)— (i) a document purporting to be signed by a lawyer practising in the state or territorial unit in which the criminal conduct concerned is alleged to have occurred and stating that such conduct is an offence under the law of that state or territorial unit, and (ii) a document purporting to be a translation of a document mentioned in subparagraph (i) and to be certified as correct by a person appearing to be competent to so certify, shall be admissible in any proceedings, without further proof, as evidence of the matters mentioned in those documents, unless the contrary is shown. (8) Where— (a) a report is made by a person or body to the Garda Síochána under section 57 of this Act in relation to property referred to in this section, or (b) a person or body (other than a person or body suspected of committing an offence under this section) is informed by the Garda Síochána that property in the possession of the person or body is property referred to in this section, the person or body shall not commit an offence under this section or section 58 of this Act if and for as long as the person or body complies with the directions of the Garda Síochána in relation to the property.”. Amendment of section 56A of Criminal Justice Act, 1994. 22.—Section 56A (inserted by section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997 ), which deals with revenue offences, of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 , is hereby amended by the substitution, for “Part VII”, of “Part IV or this Part”. Amendment of Criminal Justice Act, 1994. 23.—The Criminal Justice Act, 1994 , is hereby amended by the insertion of the following section after section 57: “Designation of certain states or territorial units. 57A.—(1) The Minister may by order, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, designate any state, or territorial unit within a state, that in his or her opinion has not in place adequate procedures for the detection of money laundering. (2) Any person or body to whom or which section 32 of this Act applies (including any director, employee or officer thereof) shall report to the Garda Síochána any transaction connected with a state or territorial unit that stands designated under subsection (1). (3) A person charged by law with the supervision of a person or body to whom or which section 32 of this Act applies shall report to the Garda Síochána if the person suspects that a transaction referred to in subsection (2) has taken place and that that subsection has not been complied with by the person or body with whose supervision the first-mentioned person is so charged. (4) A report may be made to the Garda Síochána under this section in accordance with an internal reporting procedure established by an employer for the purpose of facilitating the operation of this section. (5) In the case of a person who was in employment at the relevant time, it shall be a defence to a charge of committing an offence under this section that the person charged made a report of the type referred to in subsection (2) or (3) of this section, as the case may be, to another person in accordance with an internal reporting procedure established for the purpose specified in subsection (4) of this section. (6) A person who fails to comply with subsection (2) or (3) of this section is guilty of an offence and liable— (a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £1,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or (b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or to both. (7) In determining whether a person has complied with any of the requirements of this section, a court may take account of any relevant supervisory or regulatory guidance which applies to that person or any other relevant guidance issued by a body that regulates, or is representative of, any trade, profession, business or employment carried on by that person. (8) Where a person or body discloses in good faith information in the course of making a report under subsection (2) or (3) of this section, the disclosure shall not be treated as a breach of any restriction on the disclosure of information imposed by statute or otherwise or involve the person or body making the disclosure (or any director, employee or officer of the body) in liability of any kind. (9) The Minister may by order, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, amend or revoke an order under this section, including an order under this subsection.”. PART 4 Forgery Interpretation (Part 4). 24.—In this Part— “false” and “making”, in relation to an instrument, have the meanings assigned to these words by section 30 ; “instrument” means any document, whether of a formal or informal character (other than a currency note within the meaning of Part 5) and includes any— (a) disk, tape, sound track or other device on or in which information is recorded or stored by mechanical, electronic or other means, (b) money order, (c) postal order, (d) postage stamp issued or sold by An Post or any mark denoting payment of postage which is authorised by An Post to be used instead of an adhesive stamp, (e) stamp of the Revenue Commissioners denoting any stamp duty or fee, whether it is an adhesive stamp or a stamp impressed by means of a die, (f) licence or certificate issued by the Revenue Commissioners, (g) cheque, including traveller's cheque, or bank draft, (h) charge card, cheque card, credit card, debit card or any card combining two or more of the functions performed by such cards, (i) share certificate, (j) certified copy, issued by or on behalf of an tArd-Chláraitheoir, of an entry in any register of births, stillbirths, marriages or deaths or in the Adopted Children Register, (k) certificate relating to such an entry, (l) a certificate of insurance, (m) passport or document which can be used instead of a passport, (n) document issued by or on behalf of a Minister of the Government and permitting or authorising a person to enter or remain (whether temporarily or permanently) in the State or to enter employment therein, (o) registration certificate issued under Article 11(1)(e)(i) of the Aliens Order, 1946 ( S.I. No. 395 of 1946 ), (p) public service card, (q) ticket of admission to an event to which members of the public may be admitted on payment of a fee; “prejudice” and “induce”, in relation to a person, have the meanings assigned to those words by section 31 ; “share certificate” means a document entitling or evidencing the title of a person to a share or interest— (a) in any public stock, annuity, fund or debt of the Government or the State or of any government or state, including a state which forms part of another state, or (b) in any stock, fund or debt of a body (whether corporate or unincorporated), wherever established. Forgery. 25.—(1) A person is guilty of forgery if he or she makes a false instrument with the intention that it shall be used to induce another person to accept it as genuine and, by reason of so accepting it, to do some act, or to make some omission, to the prejudice of that person or any other person. (2) A person guilty of forgery is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. Using false instrument. 26.—(1) A person who uses an instrument which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a false instrument, with the intention of inducing another person to accept it as genuine and, by reason of so accepting it, to do some act, or to make some omission, or to provide some service, to the prejudice of that person or any other person is guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. Copying false instrument. 27.—(1) A person who makes a copy of an instrument which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a false instrument with the intention that it shall be used to induce another person to accept it as a copy of a genuine instrument and, by reason of so accepting it, to do some act, or to make some omission, or to provide some service, to the prejudice of that person or any other person is guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. Using copy of false instrument. 28.—(1) A person who uses a copy of an instrument which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a false instrument with the intention of inducing another person to accept it as a copy of a genuine instrument and, by reason of so accepting it, to do some act, or to make some omission, or to provide some service, to the prejudice of that person or another person is guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. Custody or control of certain false instruments, etc. 29.—(1) A person who has in his or her custody or under his or her control an instrument which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a false instrument with the intention that it shall be used to induce another person to accept it as genuine and, by reason of so accepting it, to do some act, or to make some omission, or to provide some service, to the prejudice of that person or any other person is guilty of an offence. (2) A person who, without lawful authority or excuse, has an instrument which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a false instrument in his or her custody or under his or her control is guilty of an offence. (3) A person who makes or has in his or her custody or under his or her control a machine, stamp, implement, paper or any other material, which to his or her knowledge is or has been specially designed or adapted for the making of an instrument with the intention— (a) that it would be used in the making of a false instrument, and (b) that the instrument would be used to induce another person to accept it as genuine and, by reason of so accepting it, to do some act, or to make some omission, or to provide some service, to the prejudice of that person or any other person, is guilty of an offence. (4) A person who, without lawful authority or excuse, has in his or her custody or under his or her control any machine, stamp, implement, paper or material which to his or her knowledge is or has been specially designed or adapted for the making of an instrument with the intention that it would be used for the making of a false instrument is guilty of an offence. (5) In subsections (3) and (4), references to a machine include references to any disk, tape, drive or other device on or in which a program is recorded or stored by mechanical, electronic or other means, being a program designed or adapted to enable an instrument to be made or to assist in its making, and those subsections shall apply and have effect accordingly. (6) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding— (a) in the case of an offence under subsection (2) or (4), 5 years, (b) in the case of an offence under subsection (1) or (3), 10 years, or both. Meaning of “false” and “making”. 30.—(1) An instrument is false for the purposes of this Part if it purports— (a) to have been made in the form in which it is made by a person who did not in fact make it in that form, (b) to have been made in the form in which it is made on the authority of a person who did not in fact authorise its making in that form, (c) to have been made in the terms in which it is made by a person who did not in fact make it in those terms, (d) to have been made in the terms in which it is made on the authority of a person who did not in fact authorise its making in those terms, (e) to have been altered in any respect by a person who did not in fact alter it in that respect, (f) to have been altered in any respect on the authority of a person who did not in fact authorise the alteration in that respect, (g) to have been made or altered on a date on which, or at a place at which, or otherwise in circumstances in which, it was not in fact made or altered, or (h) to have been made or altered by an existing person where that person did not in fact exist. (2) A person shall be treated for the purposes of this Part as making a false instrument if he or she alters an instrument so as to make it false in any respect (whether or not it is false in some other respect apart from that alteration). Meaning of “prejudice” and “induce”. 31.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (4), for the purposes of this Part, an act or omission intended to be induced shall be to a person's prejudice if, and only if, it is one which, if it occurs— (a) will result, as respects that person— (i) in temporary or permanent loss of property, (ii) in deprivation of an opportunity to earn remuneration or greater remuneration, or (iii) in deprivation of an opportunity to gain a financial advantage otherwise than by way of remuneration, or (b) will result in another person being given an opportunity— (i) to earn remuneration or greater remuneration from him or her, or (ii) to gain a financial advantage from him or her otherwise than by way of remuneration, or (c) will be the result of his or her having accepted any false instrument as genuine, or any copy of it as a copy of a genuine instrument, in connection with his or her performance of any duty. (2) An act which a person has an enforceable duty to do and an omission to do an act which a person is not entitled to do shall be disregarded for the purposes of this Part. (3) In this Part references to inducing a person to accept a false instrument as genuine, or a copy of a false instrument as a copy of a genuine one, include references to inducing a machine to respond to the instrument or copy as if it were a genuine instrument or copy of a genuine one. (4) Where subsection (3) applies, the act or omission intended to be induced by the machine responding to the instrument or copy shall be treated as an act or omission to a person's prejudice. PART 5 Counterfeiting Interpretation (Part 5). 32.—(1) In this Part— “currency note” and “coin” mean, respectively, a currency note and coin lawfully issued or customarily used as money in the State or in any other state or a territorial unit within it and include a note denominated in euro and a coin denominated in euro or in cent and also any note or coin which has not been lawfully issued but which would, on being so issued, be a currency note or coin within the above meaning; and “lawfully issued” means issued— (a) by or under the authority of the European Central Bank, (b) by the Central Bank of Ireland or the Minister for Finance, or (c) by a body in a state (other than the State) or a territorial unit within it which is authorised under the law of that state or territorial unit to issue currency notes or coins. (2) For the purposes of this Part, a thing is a counterfeit of a currency note or coin— (a) if it is not a currency note or coin but resembles a currency note or coin (whether on one side only or on both) to such an extent that it is reasonably capable of passing for a currency note or coin of that description, or (b) if it is a currency note or coin which has been so altered that it is reasonably capable of passing for a note or coin of some other description. (3) For the purposes of this Part— (a) a thing consisting of or containing a representation of one side only of a currency note, with or without the addition of other material, is capable of being a counterfeit of such a currency note, and (b) a thing consisting— (i) of parts of two or more currency notes, or (ii) of parts of a currency note, or of parts of two or more currency notes, with the addition of other material, is capable of being a counterfeit of a currency note. Counterfeiting currency notes and coins. 33.—(1) A person who makes a counterfeit of a currency note or coin, with the intention that he or she or another shall pass or tender it as genuine, is guilty of an offence. (2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both. Passing, etc. counterfeit currency notes or coins. 34.—(1) A person who— (a) passes or tenders as genuine any thing which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a counterfeit of a currency note or coin, or (b) delivers any such thing to another person with the intention that that person or any other person shall pass or tender it as genuine, is guilty of an offence. (2) A person who, without lawful authority or excuse, delivers to another person anything which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a counterfeit of a currency note or coin is guilty of an offence. (3) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding— (a) in the case of an offence under subsection (1), 10 years, or (b) in the case of an offence under subsection (2), 5 years, or both. Custody or control of counterfeit currency notes and coins. 35.—(1) A person who has in his or her custody or under his or her control any thing which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a counterfeit of a currency note or coin, intending either— (a) to pass or tender it as genuine, or (b) to deliver it to another with the intention that that person or any other person shall pass or tender it as genuine, is guilty of an offence. (2) A person who, without lawful authority or excuse, has in his or her custody or under his or her control any thing which is, and which he or she knows or believes to be, a counterfeit of a currency note or coin is guilty of an offe …