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PRISONS ACT 2015
Number 57 of 2015
PRISONS ACT 2015
REVISED
Updated to 12 June 2026
This Revised Act is an administrative consolidation of the Prisons Act 2015. 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.
Number 57 of 2015
PRISONS ACT 2015
REVISED
Updated to 12 June 2026
CONTENTS
Preliminary and General
Section
1. Short title, commencement and collective citation
Closing of Saint Patrick’s Institution
6. Power of Minister to close Saint Patrick’s Institution
Amendments Consequential on Closing of Saint Patrick’s Institution
7. Amendment of section 212A(1) of Defence Act 1954
8. Amendment of Criminal Justice Act 1960
9. Amendment of section 50(a) of Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961
10. Amendment of section 3(1) of Extradition Act 1965
11. Amendment of Prisons Act 1970
12. Amendment of First Schedule to Juries Act 1976
13. Amendment of Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983
14. Amendment of section 5(1) (c) of Data Protection Act 1988
15. Amendment of section 47(8) of Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002
16. Amendment of Transfer of Execution of Sentences Act 2005
17. Amendment of section 98 of Criminal Justice Act 2006
18. Amendment of section 2(1) of International Criminal Court Act 2006
19. Amendment of section 1 of Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006
20. Amendment of section 2 of Prisons Act 2007
21. Amendment of section 2(1) of Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008
22. Amendment of section 32(4) of Freedom of Information Act 2014
Closing of Prisons
23. Amendment of section 2 of Prisons Act 1933
Miscellaneous
24. Taking of certain persons from prison for the purposes of deportation or removal from the State
25. Amendment of section 41 of Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851
Acts Referred to
Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 (No. 39)
Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983 (No. 23)
Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008 (No. 7)
Criminal Justice (Temporary Release of Prisoners) Act 2003 (No. 34)
Criminal Justice Act 1960 (No. 27)
Criminal Justice Act 2006 (No. 26)
Criminal Justice Administration Act 1914 (4 & 5 Geo. 5 c. 58)
Criminal Law (Jurisdiction) Act 1976 (No. 14)
Data Protection Act 1988 (No. 25)
Defence (Amendment) Act 2007 (No. 24)
Electoral (Amendment) Act 2006 (No. 33)
Freedom of Information Act 2014 (No. 30)
International Criminal Court Act 2006 (No. 30)
Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 (14 & 15 Vict., c. 93)
Prevention of Crime Act 1908 (8 Edw. 7, c. 59)
Prisons Acts 1826 to 2007
Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004 (No. 6)
Number 57 of 2015
PRISONS ACT 2015
REVISED
Updated to 12 June 2026
An Act to provide for the closing of Saint Patrick’s Institution; to make further provision for the closing of prisons; for those purposes to amend the Prisons Act 1933 and to provide for consequential amendments to certain other enactments; to make provision, in respect of certain persons who are serving sentences of imprisonment, for the purposes of deportation or removal from the State; to amend the Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851; and to provide for related matters.
[25th December, 2015]
Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows: