Gambling Regulation Act 2024
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Search warrants | ||
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186. (1) Where a judge of the District Court is satisfied, on the sworn information of an authorised officer, that there are reasonable grounds for believing that, at a dwelling— | ||
(a) a gambling activity has taken place, is taking place or is intended to take place, | ||
(b) relevant material is being kept, or | ||
(c) gambling products are being kept, | ||
the judge may issue a warrant authorising the authorised officer accompanied by such other authorised officers, members of An Garda Síochána or such other competent persons as may be necessary, at any time or times within the period of validity of the warrant, on production, if so required, of the warrant, to enter that dwelling, if necessary by the use of reasonable force, and to exercise the powers conferred on an authorised officer by section 185 . | ||
(2) The period of validity of a warrant issued under this section shall be 28 days from the date of its issue but that period of validity may be extended in accordance with subsections (3) and (4). | ||
(3) An authorised officer may, during the period of validity of a warrant (including such period as previously extended under subsection (4)), apply to a judge of the District Court for an order extending the period of validity of the warrant and such an application shall be grounded upon information on oath laid by the authorised officer stating, by reference to the purpose or purposes for which the warrant was issued, the reasons why the authorised officer considers the extension to be necessary. | ||
(4) Where, on the making of an application under subsection (3), the judge of the District Court is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing, having regard to that information so laid, that further time is needed so that the purpose or purposes for which the warrant was issued can be fulfilled, the judge may make an order extending the period of validity of the warrant by such period as, in the opinion of the judge, is appropriate and just, and where such an order is made, the judge shall cause the warrant to be suitably endorsed to indicate its extended period of validity. | ||
(5) Nothing in the preceding subsections prevents a judge of the District Court from issuing, on foot of a fresh application made under subsection (1), a further search warrant under this section in relation to the same dwelling. |