Public Order Offences

Public Order offences are second only to road traffic offences in the number of prosecutions coming before the courts.

The Public Order Act, 1994 lists a number of offences most of which may only be dealt with in the District Court.

The most frequently prosecuted are for the offences commonly referred to as Drunk & Disorderly and Breach of the Peace. 

A third offence which is often charged together with these two offences is the offence of failing to comply with a direction of a member of An Garda Siochana.

The penalties for these offences are as follows:

•  Section 4 (Drunk &  Disorderly):  a maximum fine of €500
•  Section 6 (Breach of the Peace): a maximum fine of €1000 and a maximum custodial sentence of 3 months.
• Section 8: (Failing to Comply): A maximum fine of €1000 and a maximum custodial sentence of 6 months.

There are several essential proofs in each of these offences which the prosecution must prove to the requisite standard in order to secure a conviction.

You should discuss your case with a
Killian McCarthy at the earliest opportunity