Enforcement of Court Orders Act, 1926.

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Offences and penalties.

24.—(1) Every person who resists, obstructs, or impedes an under-sheriff, court messenger, or other person in the lawful execution of an execution order or resists, obstructs, or impedes any member of the Gárda Síochána in the lawful execution of an execution order which under this Act is to be executed by a member of the Gárda Síochána shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable on conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment with or without hard labour for any term not exceeding twelve months, or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

(2) Every person who rescues, removes, or conceals any goods, animals, or chattels which have been taken in execution under an execution order (including an execution order which under this Act is to be executed by a member of the Gárda Síochána) shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable on conviction thereof to a fine not exceeding one hundred pounds or at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment for any term not exceeding twelve months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

(3) Whenever a person is charged before a Justice of the District Court with having committed any of the misdemeanours mentioned in this section and the Justice is of opinion that the facts proved against the person so charged constitute a minor offence fit to be tried summarily and the said person (inquiry having been made of him by the Justice) does not object to be so tried, the Justice may hear and determine the case summarily but shall not impose a greater term of imprisonment (whether with or without hard labour or with or without a fine) than six months or a greater fine (whether with or without imprisonment) than fifty pounds.