Dublin Police Act, 1842

Power to deal summarily with cases of oppressive distress.

67. On complaint made to any of the said divisional justices by any person who shall within the police district have occcupied any house or lodging by the week or month, or whereof the rent does not exceed the rate of fifteen pounds by the year, that his goods have been taken from him by an unlawful distress, or that the landlord, or his broker or agent, has been guilty of any irregularity or excess in respect of such distress, it shall be lawful for such justice to summon the party complained against; and if upon the hearing of the matter it shall appear to the justice that such distress was improperly taken or unfairly disposed of, or that the charges made by the party having distrained, or having attempted to distrain, are contrary to law, or that the proceeds of the sale of such distress have not been duly accounted for to the owner thereof, it shall be lawful for the justice to order the distress so taken, if not sold, to be returned to the tenant, on payment of the rent which shall appear to be due, at such time as the justice shall appoint, or, if the distress shall have been sold, then to order payment to the said tenant of the value thereof, deducting thereout the rent which shall so appear to be due, such value to be determined by the justice; and such landlord or party complained against, in default of compliance with any such order, shall forfeit to the party aggrieved the value of such distress, not being greater than fifteen pounds, such value to be determined by the justice.