Pawnbrokers Act, 1964

Suspension and cancellation of licence.

11.—(1) Where a pawnbroker is convicted of larceny, receiving stolen goods knowing them to have been stolen or any other offence involving fraud or dishonesty, the court before which he was convicted may, in addition to any other penalty imposed, order his licence to be suspended for such period as it thinks fit or to be cancelled.

(2) Where a pawnbroker is convicted of an offence mentioned in subsection (1) of this section and the court orders his licence to be suspended or cancelled and the pawnbroker appeals against the conviction or, if he has been convicted of more than one of those offences, against all of the convictions, the court before which he was convicted may, if it thinks fit, suspend the operation of its order suspending or cancelling the licence pending the hearing of the appeal.

(3) The District Court may, on the application of a member of the Garda Síochána not below the rank of inspector, suspend a licence for such period as it thinks fit, if satisfied that the pawnbroker is also carrying on business as an auctioneer or is the holder of a licence to sell intoxicating liquor or of a bookmaker's licence granted under the Betting Act, 1931 , or has acted in contravention of any of the provisions of this Act.

(4) A pawnbroker whose licence has been suspended under subsection (3) of this section may appeal to the Circuit Court and the decision of that Court on the matter shall be final and not appealable.

(5) Whenever a licence has been suspended under subsection (3) of this section and an appeal against the suspension is lodged, the District Court may, if it thinks fit, suspend the operation of its order pending the hearing of the appeal.

(6) The suspension or cancellation of, or the failure to renew, a licence shall not prejudice or affect any right to redeem a pledge made before the date of the suspension or cancellation or the expiry of the licence, or any obligation or liability (whether arising by virtue of a contract or of any provision of this Act) subsisting at that date, and the pawnbroker holding the licence immediately before that date shall in respect of any pledge then held by him remain subject to the like obligations, liabilities and penalties as if the licence continued in force.