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17.7  Warrant To Arrest - Offences Against The State Act, 1939 Section 30A(1) (As Substituted By The Criminal Justice Act 2009, Section 21)

Form 17.7 is a Warrant to Arrest issued under the Offences Against the State Act 1939 (as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2009). It authorises the police or gardaí to detain a named person suspected of a state‑security offence.

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Form Overview

17.7  Warrant To Arrest - Offences Against The State Act, 1939 Section 30A(1) (As Substituted By The Criminal Justice Act 2009, Section 21)

Form 17.7 is a Warrant to Arrest issued under the Offences Against the State Act 1939 (as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2009). It authorises the police or gardaí to detain a named person suspected of a state‑security offence.

The form records the suspect's name, details of the alleged offence, the specific legal provision, and the authority granting the arrest.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is forgetting the judge’s signature, which makes the warrant invalid.
  • Incorrect spelling of the suspect's name
  • Citing the wrong statutory provision
  • Missing judge's signature or court seal
  • Submitting to the wrong court registry

Plain English

Think of this as a legal order that lets the gardaí arrest someone for a serious crime against the state. It is filled out by a judge or authorised officer and must be signed before any arrest can happen. The form spells out who is being arrested, why, and under which law.

Submission Date

  • There is no fixed filing deadline; the warrant must be issued before the arrest is carried out, typically within a few days of the decision to arrest.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

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What this form is for

  • When an arrest is required for an offence against the State under Section 30A(1).
  • When a senior gardaí officer has obtained judicial authorisation.
  • When the suspect is not already in custody.
  • When the offence carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment or severe security implications.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Suspect already in custodyForm 17.5 (Detention Order)Used to extend detention, not to arrestVerify current custody status first
Minor non‑state offenceForm 17.1 (Standard Arrest Warrant)Simpler offence, different statutory basisCheck offence classification
International extradition requestForm 51 (Extradition Request)Different legal processConfirm jurisdiction

Deadline or filing window

There is no fixed filing deadline; the warrant must be issued before the arrest is carried out, typically within a few days of the decision to arrest.

Before you submit

  • Suspect's full legal name and any aliases entered correctly.
  • Exact offence description matches Section 30A(1).
  • Judge’s signature and court seal are present.
  • Form version shows the 2009 amendment reference.
  • Copy retained for gardaí records.
  • Original submitted to the correct court registry.
  • Reference number recorded on the back of the form.
  • All mandatory fields are filled; no blanks remain.

How to file this form

  1. 1Complete the form with accurate suspect and offence details.
  2. 2Obtain the required judicial signature and court seal.
  3. 3Make a photocopy for the gardaí unit.
  4. 4Deliver the original to the appropriate District or Circuit Court registry.
  5. 5Obtain a receipt or docket number from the court clerk.
  6. 6Inform the designated gardaí unit of the warrant reference.

Known limitations

  • Only applicable to offences under the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
  • Cannot be used for routine traffic or minor criminal arrests.
  • Requires a judge or authorised senior officer; not for lower‑rank officers.
  • Form must be the latest version; older paper copies may be rejected.

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Current Form Status

Form 17.7 remains the current warrant template; no major redesign has been announced since the 2009 amendment.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Confirm the form bears the 2009 amendment reference.
  • Check that the court seal field is present.
  • Verify the signature line matches the latest template.
  • Ensure the statutory citation includes the correct section number.

Quick Facts

A judge, a senior gardaí officer, or a designated State Prosecutor must complete and sign the warrant.
The form records the suspect's name, details of the alleged offence, the specific legal provision, and the authority granting the arrest.
It is used immediately after a court or senior officer decides that an arrest is necessary under Section 30A(1) of the Act.
The completed warrant is lodged with the relevant District Court or Circuit Court registry, and a copy is given to the gardaí unit that will execute the arrest.
A correctly completed warrant protects the arresting officers from legal challenge and ensures the suspect's rights are respected. Errors can render the arrest unlawful and lead to evidence being excluded.
1. Gather the suspect's full name, address and any known aliases. 2. Identify the exact offence and cite Section 30A(1) of the Offences Against the State Act 1939 (as amended). 3. Fill in the form fields, sign, and have the judge or authorised officer stamp it. 4. Submit the original to the court registry and retain a copy for the gardaí. 5. Notify the relevant gardaí unit with the warrant reference number.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
21/10/25

17.7  Warrant To Arrest - Offences Against The State Act, 1939 Section 30A(1) (As Substituted By The Criminal Justice Act 2009, Section 21)

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After you file

  • Confirm the court registry has logged the warrant.
  • Provide the gardaí unit with the warrant copy and reference number.
  • Monitor the execution of the arrest and record the date and time.
  • File any subsequent court documents (e.g., charge sheets) promptly.
  • Retain the original warrant in the case file for future reference.

Source and verification log

  • Form title and number taken from the Courts Service of Ireland catalogue.
  • Statutory reference (Section 30A(1) Offences Against the State Act 1939) confirmed via public legislation records.
  • Amendment by Criminal Justice Act 2009 noted in official legislation summaries.
  • Requirement for judicial signature inferred from typical Irish warrant practice.
  • Not confirmed in official source: exact submission location (District vs. Circuit Court) for each case type.
  • Not confirmed in official source: exact deadline timing; inferred from procedural urgency.

Common confusion points

6 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up Form 17.7 with the standard arrest warrant (Form 17.1).

  • 2

    Leaving the statutory citation incomplete or using the wrong year.

  • 3

    Submitting to the wrong court (District vs. Circuit).

  • 4

    Failing to include the judge’s official stamp.

  • 5

    Using an outdated form that lacks the 2009 amendment note.

  • 6

    Not providing a copy to the gardaí unit before the arrest.

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