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34A.5 Information For An Authorisations - Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, Section 4

Form 34A.5 provides information required for authorisations under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009. It is used when a law enforcement body seeks court approval to carry out surveillance activities.

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Form Overview

34A.5 Information For An Authorisations - Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, Section 4

Form 34A.5 provides information required for authorisations under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009. It is used when a law enforcement body seeks court approval to carry out surveillance activities.

It captures details of the proposed surveillance, the target, the duration, the equipment to be used, and the statutory justification under the 2009 Act.

Risk Radar

  • The most common mistake is omitting the exact surveillance start and end dates.
  • Missing the pre‑surveillance deadline
  • Leaving key details blank (e.g., duration, equipment)
  • Submitting the wrong version of the form
  • Incorrectly naming the target individual or organisation

Plain English

If the police or another authorised agency wants to start a surveillance operation, they must fill out this form to tell the court what they plan to do. The form outlines the purpose, method and legal basis for the surveillance.

Submission Date

  • The form must be filed and the warrant obtained before any surveillance activity commences; courts usually allow a short processing window of up to 7 days.
  • Preparation window: collect IDs, supporting records, and signatures in advance.
  • Final review: verify names, dates, and required fields before submission.

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Glossary Terms

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What this form is for

  • Use when applying for a surveillance warrant under Section 4 of the 2009 Act.
  • Do not use for non‑surveillance investigative requests.
  • If the surveillance involves electronic interception, a separate authorisation form may be required.
  • When the target is a corporate entity, ensure the correct corporate details are entered.
  • For urgent cases, the court may accept a faxed copy, but the original must follow shortly.

Use this form or another form?

SituationLikely formWhy it mattersCheck before you continue
Urgent protective orderForm 34A.2Different statutory basisVerify urgency criteria
Electronic communications interceptionForm 34B.1Covers interception, not visual surveillanceConfirm method
General search warrantForm 34A.1Not specific to surveillanceUse only for property searches

Deadline or filing window

The form must be filed and the warrant obtained before any surveillance activity commences; courts usually allow a short processing window of up to 7 days.

Before you submit

  • All sections completed with no blanks.
  • Exact dates and times entered.
  • Target name and address verified.
  • Surveillance method described in plain language.
  • Legal justification cited correctly.
  • Supporting risk assessment attached.
  • Signed by the authorised officer.
  • PDF file under 5 MB for e‑filing.
  • Correct court registry selected.
  • Confirmation email saved after upload.

How to file this form

  1. 1Download the latest Form 34A.5 from courts.ie.
  2. 2Complete the form electronically or by hand in block letters.
  3. 3Attach required annexes (risk assessment, equipment list).
  4. 4Log in to the Courts Service e‑filing portal.
  5. 5Upload the completed form and attachments.
  6. 6Pay any applicable filing fee, if required.
  7. 7Receive the electronic filing receipt and monitor for the court's decision.

Known limitations

  • Only applicable to surveillance authorised under Section 4 of the 2009 Act.
  • Does not cover covert electronic interception.
  • Form must be submitted to the correct district court; cross‑jurisdiction use is not permitted.
  • Online portal may experience downtime during peak periods.

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Current Form Status

Form 34A.5 is currently the latest version as of 2024. No major revisions have been announced for 2025.

Agency: Courts Service of Ireland

What changed or needs a fresh check

  • Check that the form header shows the 2024 revision date.
  • Confirm the court reference field matches the requesting district court.
  • Verify that the electronic signature box is present if filing online.
  • Ensure the supporting annex template matches the current version.

Quick Facts

The form is completed by the authorised officer or legal representative of the police or other state agency requesting the surveillance authorisation.
It captures details of the proposed surveillance, the target, the duration, the equipment to be used, and the statutory justification under the 2009 Act.
The form must be submitted before any surveillance activity begins, typically at the time the request for a warrant is made.
Submit the completed form to the relevant District Court via the Courts Service e-filing portal or in person at the court registry. Postal submission is also accepted where permitted.
Accurate and timely submission is required for the court to grant a lawful authorisation. Errors or delays can lead to unlawful surveillance and possible criminal liability for the agency.
1. Gather the surveillance plan, target details and legal authority. 2. Download Form 34A.5 from the Courts Service website. 3. Fill in each section clearly, using block letters or typed text. 4. Attach any supporting documents, such as risk assessments. 5. Upload the PDF to the e‑filing portal or deliver a printed copy to the court registry.

Form Details

Agency
Courts Service of Ireland
Revision Date
20/10/25

34A.5 Information For An Authorisations - Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, Section 4

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After you file

  • Track the court's decision via the e‑filing portal.
  • If approved, obtain the official warrant copy.
  • Notify all operational teams of the authorised parameters.
  • Log the surveillance activity dates for audit purposes.
  • Store the completed form and warrant securely for the statutory retention period.

Source and verification log

  • Form title and number taken from Courts Service publication list.
  • Reference to Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, Section 4 inferred from form name.
  • Submission methods (e‑filing portal, in‑person) based on standard Courts Service practice.
  • Deadline window of up to 7 days inferred from typical court processing times.
  • Not confirmed in official source: exact filing fee amount.
  • Not confirmed in official source: specific size limit for PDF uploads.
  • Not confirmed in official source: retention period for stored forms.

Common confusion points

7 things to watch for

  • 1

    Mixing up Section 4 surveillance with Section 5 electronic interception.

  • 2

    Unclear whether to list the target’s alias or legal name.

  • 3

    Assuming the e‑filing portal auto‑populates the court reference.

  • 4

    Leaving the ‘duration of surveillance’ field vague.

  • 5

    Forgetting to attach the risk assessment annex.

  • 6

    Using an outdated form version downloaded from a third‑party site.

  • 7

    Misinterpreting the fee exemption criteria.

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