Bail Act 1997

Revised Acts

This Act

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Number 16 of 1997

BAIL ACT 1997

REVISED

Updated to 12 June 2026

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This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the Bail Act 1997. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation of statute law.

All Acts up to and including the International Co-operation (Omagh Bombing Inquiry) Act 2026 (12/2026), enacted 3 June 2026, and all statutory instruments up to and including the International Protection Act 2026 (Commencement) Order 2026 (S.I. No. 244 of 2026), made 10 June 2026, were considered in the preparation of this Revised Act.

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act, the Law Reform Commission can assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. Please notify any errors, omissions and comments by email to revisedacts@lawreform.ie.

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Number 16 of 1997

BAIL ACT 1997

REVISED

Updated to 12 June 2026

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Section
1.	Interpretation.
1A.	Statement by applicants for bail charged with serious offences.
2.	Refusal of bail.
2A.	Evidence in applications for bail under section 2.
3.	Renewal of bail application.
4.	Evidence of previous criminal record.
5.	Payment of moneys into court, etc.
6.	Conditions of bail.
6A.	Application of section 6 in relation to certain appellants.
6B.	Electronic monitoring of certain persons admitted to bail.
6C.	Evidence of electronic monitoring.
6D.	Arrangements for electronic monitoring.
7.	Sufficiency of bailspersons.
8.	Endorsement on warrants as to release on bail.
9.	Estreatment of recognisance and forfeiture of moneys paid into court.
9A.	Power to hear complainant evidence in bail applications
9B.	Requirement to give reasons for bail decisions
10.	Amendment of Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
11.	Amendment of Act of 1967.
11A.	Regulations.
12.	Repeals.
13.	Short title and commencement.

SCHEDULE

Acts Referred to
Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1973	1973, No. 29
Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1975	1975, No. 9
Criminal Damage Act, 1991	1991, No. 31
Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994	1994, No. 2
Criminal Justice Act, 1984	1984, No. 22
Criminal Justice Act, 1994	1994, No. 15
Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935	1935, No. 6
Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act, 1976	1976, No. 14
Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990	1990, No. 32
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993	1993, No. 20
Criminal Procedure Act, 1967	1967, No. 12
Defence Act, 1954	1954, No. 18
Explosive Substances Act, 1883	46 & 47 Vict. c. 3
Firearms Act, 1925	1925, No. 17
Firearms Act, 1964	1964, No. 1
Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990	1990, No. 12
Forgery Act, 1861	1861, c. 98
Forgery Act, 1913	1913, c. 27
Larceny Acts, 1916 to 1990
Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977	1977, No. 12
Offences against the Person Act, 1861	1861, c. 100
Offences against the State Act, 1939	1939, No. 13
Punishment of Incest Act, 1908	1908, c. 45
Road Traffic Act, 1961	1961, No. 24

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Number 16 of 1997

BAIL ACT 1997

REVISED

Updated to 12 June 2026

AN ACT TO MAKE FURTHER PROVISION IN RELATION TO BAIL, TO AMEND THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ACT, 1967, AND TO PROVIDE FOR RELATED MATTERS. [5th May, 1997]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS: