Official form guide
Form 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
Courts Service of Ireland - Form 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.
Risk Radar
Scan points- 1The most common mistake is forgetting the judge’s signature, which makes the warrant invalid.
- 2Incorrect spelling of the suspect's name
- 3Citing the wrong statutory provision
- 4Missing judge's signature or court seal
- 5Submitting 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
- Filing 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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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.
Form selector
Use this form or another form?
Suspect already in custody
Used to extend detention, not to arrest
✓ Verify current custody status first
Minor non‑state offence
Simpler offence, different statutory basis
✓ Check offence classification
Form 17.1 (Standard Arrest Warrant)
International extradition request
Different legal process
✓ Confirm 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
- 1Suspect's full legal name and any aliases entered correctly.
- 2Exact offence description matches Section 30A(1).
- 3Judge’s signature and court seal are present.
- 4Form version shows the 2009 amendment reference.
- 5Copy retained for gardaí records.
- 6Original submitted to the correct court registry.
- 7Reference number recorded on the back of the form.
- 8All mandatory fields are filled; no blanks remain.
How to file this form
- 1Complete the form with accurate suspect and offence details.
- 2Obtain the required judicial signature and court seal.
- 3Make a photocopy for the gardaí unit.
- 4Deliver the original to the appropriate District or Circuit Court registry.
- 5Obtain a receipt or docket number from the court clerk.
- 6Inform the designated gardaí unit of the warrant reference.
Known limitations
- 1Only applicable to offences under the Offences Against the State Act 1939.
- 2Cannot be used for routine traffic or minor criminal arrests.
- 3Requires a judge or authorised senior officer; not for lower‑rank officers.
- 4Form must be the latest version; older paper copies may be rejected.
Field map
Compact field-by-field guide
Proceedings
3 items
The names of the parties exactly as they appear on the originating document.
The court record number for the case, if one has been assigned.
The court and the office where the document is being filed.
Substance
2 items
What you are asking the court to do, or the information the form requires.
The facts relied on and any documents exhibited with the filing.
Execution
1 items
Signed, sworn or certified as the form requires, with proof of service where needed.
Almost done reviewing the fields?
Fillable formOpen in Editor->Form 17.7 remains the current warrant template; no major redesign has been announced since the 2009 amendment.
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
Form Details
- Revision date
- 21/10/25
Downloads & source
Sources
- SRCForm title and number taken from the Courts Service of Ireland catalogue.
- SRCStatutory reference (Section 30A(1) Offences Against the State Act 1939) confirmed via public legislation records.
- SRCAmendment by Criminal Justice Act 2009 noted in official legislation summaries.
- SRCRequirement for judicial signature inferred from typical Irish warrant practice.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact submission location (District vs. Circuit Court) for each case type.
- SRCNot confirmed in official source: exact deadline timing; inferred from procedural urgency.
Common confusion points
Mixing up Form 17.7 with the standard arrest warrant (Form 17.1).
Leaving the statutory citation incomplete or using the wrong year.
Submitting to the wrong court (District vs. Circuit).
Failing to include the judge’s official stamp.
Using an outdated form that lacks the 2009 amendment note.
Not providing a copy to the gardaí unit before the arrest.
Source transparency
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