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Bluebook 21st ed.

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2007, 46 Mil. L. & L. War Rev. 429 (2007).

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act 2007. Military Law and Law of War Review , 46(2), 429-444.

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2007" (2007) 46:2 Mil L & L War Rev 429.

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 IRELAND'S MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM UPDATED DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

Ireland's Military Justice System Updated:

Defence (Amendment) Act 2007
Col. TONY MCCOURT
Military Judge, Irish Defence Forces
Introduction
By virtue of Ireland's shared heritage with the UK, Ireland has a
common law legal system. However, unlike the UK, Ireland also
has a written constitution. When Ireland achieved its independence
in 1922, the Constitution provided that:
extraordinary courts shall not be established save only such military courts
as may be authorized by law for dealing with military offenders against
military law. The jurisdiction of military tribunals shall not be extended
to or exercised over the civil population save in time of war...1
The British system of military law, as it then was, was adopted and
applied by the newly established Irish defence forces pursuant to the
Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act 1923. A frther Defence
Forces (Temporary Provisions) Act was enacted annually up to 1953.
A new constitution was adopted in Ireland in 1937 and the relevant
constitutional provision was amended to provide that:
Military tribunals may be established for the trial of offences against
military law alleged to have been committed by persons while subject
to military law ....
A member of the Defence Forces not on active service shall not be tried
by any court-martial or other military tribunal for an offence cognisable
by the civil courts unless such offence is within the jurisdiction of
any court-martial or other military tribunal under any law for the
2
enforcement of military discipline.

The "law for the enforcement of military discipline" referred to in

the Irish Constitution is the Defence Act 1954. This act is, in effect,
a consolidation and updating of the various annual "temporary"
acts enacted from 1923 to 1953. With that act began the deviation
of Irish and British military law, since the drafting was influenced
to some extent by the Canadian military law of that time.
1 Art. 70, Constitution of Irish Free State, 1922.
2 Art. 38, Constitution of Ireland, 1937.
 COL. TONY MCCOURT

Ireland has been a party to the European Convention on Human

Rights (ECHR) since 1953, but the general legal view of the
time seems to have been that the human rights provisions of the
Irish Constitution3 were such that it was not necessary to provide
specifically for the ECHR rights.
In 1983, a long time after such an appeal was established in Britain,
the need to provide for an appeal court hearing from the finding
or sentence of an Irish court-martial was enshrined in statute law.4
The Irish act, unlike its UK equivalent, provided for an absolute
right of appeal in all cases. The Irish Courts-Martial Appeal Court
was established following the murder, by an Irish soldier, of three
of his colleagues, serving with the UN forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL)
in 1982. Incidentally, the soldier then convicted by court-martial is
expected to be released from an Irish prison shortly.
Influences for Change
It became apparent, as a result of the decision of the ECtHR in 1997
in the case of Findlay v. The UK,5 and follow on cases, that there
was an urgent need to re-examine Ireland's military legal structures
and procedures. This was necessary even though the Irish military
justice system was no longer exactly the same as that of the UK.
Regard was also had to Irish constitutional decisions relating to the
ordinary Irish criminal system and to current human rights norms
in all common law jurisdictions. The incorporation of the ECHR
into Irish domestic law in 2003 added to the urgency.
In the latter half of 2001 a formal review of the Irish military
justice system was undertaken and most of the recommendations
in the unpublished report, produced in early 2002, have now been
enacted into law by the Defence (Amendment) Act 2007.6
A comparative study indicated that major changes had already
been undertaken or were under consideration by most other
common law jurisdictions. All other common law countries
I Arts. 40 to 44, Fundamental Rights, Constitution of Ireland, 1937.
4 Courts-Martial Appeals Act, 1983.
1 25 February 1997 (Application No. 22107/93), 24 E.H.R.R. 1997, p. 221,
Reports of Judgments and Decisions 1997-1.
6 Defence (Amendment) Act 2007 (available online at www.oireachtas.ie).
 IRELAND'S MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM UPDATED DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

reviewing their military justice systems have decided to retain a

separate military justice system.
In shaping Ireland's new legislation careful consideration was
given to ECHR case law, and in particular the effects of cases
ranging as far back as Engel and Others v Netherlands,7 Incal v
Turkey 1998,8 as well as the various ECHR cases against the UK
including Findlay,9 Hood,1 oMorris,11 Grieves,12 Bell13 and the UK
Courts Martial Appeal Court (CMAC) case of Skuse. 14
The new system was also influenced by the experiences of the UK
over the last ten years and by the excellent work done in the recent
Armed Forces Acts of 1996,2000, 2001 and 2006. Furthermore, the
present Canadian system was a major influence, in particular the
separate military judicial structure, the Canadian Charter of Rights
of 1982,15 the Genereux16 case of 1992, the First Dickson Report
(March 1997),17 the Lamer Report of 200318 and the amendments
made to the National Defence Act of Canada up to 2003. In addition,
the present structures in Australia and the recommendations
contained in the Abadee Report of 199719 were also considered, as
7 8 June 1976 (Applications Nos. 5100/71, 5101/71, 2102/71, 5354/72 and
5370/72), 1 E.H.R.R. 1979, p. 647.
1 9 June 1998 (Application No. 22678/93), 29 E.HR.R 2000, p. 449.
9 Supra note 5.
10 18 February 1999 (Application No. 27267/95).
11 26 February 2002 (Application No. 38784/97), 34 E.HR.R 2002, p. 52.
12 16 December 2003 (Application No. 57067/00), 39 E.H.R.R 2004, p. 7.
13 Judgment of 16 January 2007 (Application No. 41534/98).
14 R v Skuse, Judgment of the UK CMAC of 3 May 2002.
15 Part 1 of the Constitution Act 1982.
16 Supreme Court of Canada, R v Genereux, 13 February 1992, [1992]
1 Supreme Court Reports 259 (available online at http://csc.lexum.
umontreal.ca/en/1992/1992rcsl-259/1992rcsl-259.html).
17 Canada, Special Advisory Group on Military Justice and Military Police
Investigation Services, Report of the SpecialAdvisory Group on Military
Justice and Military Police InvestigationServices (Ottawa, Department
of National Defence, 1997).
18 The FirstIndependent Review by the Right HonourableAntonio Lamer
PC., C.C., C.D. of the provisions and operationofBill C-25, 3 September
2003, available online at http://www.cfgb-cgfc.gc.ca/CMFiles/
LamerReport e3 8LEB- 10252007-2401 .pdf.
19 A study into the judicial system under the Defence Force Discipline
 COL. TONY MCCOURT

were the New Zealand system and the proposals contained in the
Military Justice Review Options Papers of July 2003.20 Regard was
also had to the US system and the proposals for change contained
in the Cox Commission Report of May 2001 21
Irish matters considered included the Irish constitution and its
case law, decisions of the Courts-Martial Appeal Court, the
recommendations of the Military Law Review Board, which
were fully endorsed by the Office of the Attorney General, the
ECHR Act of 2003 and importantly the observations of the Irish
Human Rights Commission, a recently established body whose
remit includes the provision of observations to Government on
draft legislation.
It would be true to say that the primary focus of this radical new
military justice legislation is to ensure that Ireland's military
justice system is fully compliant not only with the constitution
but also with the requirements of the European Convention on
Human Rights, in particular its Article 6 and with international
human rights norms.
In designing the new structures regard was also had to the fact
that Ireland has quite a small defence forces, comprising less than
11,000 regular personnel and about 13,000 reservists and that the
resources available for the administration of military justice were
unlikely to be significantly increased.
Scheduled Offences
A statutory distinction was introduced between offences of a
disciplinary nature, scheduled in the 1 1h schedule to the Act,
Act, August 1997 (the summarized recommendations of this report
are available online at http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jfadt/
military/mj appd e.pdf).
20 On the New Zealand reforms, see also C. Griggs, 'A New Military Justice
System for New Zealand', 45(3-4) Revue de droit militaire et de droit de
la guerre/TheMilitary Law and Law of War Review 2006, pp. 287-327.
21 Report of the Commission on the 50th Anniversary of the Uniform Code
of Military Justice, May 2001, inter alia available online at http://www.
sldn.org/binary-data/SLDN ARTICLES/pdf file/327.pdf.
22 Available online at http://www.ihrc.ie/ fileupload/misc/Observations-
on Defence_(Amendment) (No.2) Bill 2006.doc.
 IRELAND'S MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM UPDATED DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

which may be dealt with by a summary process and other offences,

both disciplinary and criminal in nature, which may only be tried
by court-martial.23
New Statutory Appointments
The Government has appointed an independent Director of
Military Prosecutions (the Director).24
The Judge Advocate General has appointed a Court-Martial
Administrator (CMA).25
The appointment of Judge Advocate has been replaced with that
of Military Judge. 6
Summary Process v Trial by Court-Martial
One of the most important changes being introduced is
the distinction between a trial by court-martial, with legal
representation and formal trial procedures 27 and the summary
disposal of minor offences by a much more informal procedure
which will nonetheless provide due process.28
29
Summary Process
Significant changes have been made to the summary process in
respect of all ranks up to and including Commandant (Major). It is
now limited to offences which are both minor and 'disciplinary in
nature' (scheduled offences). The summary process is no longer a
service tribunal. It is not a trial. Legal representation is not allowed
but an assisting person may be present at, but may not participate
in, the investigation. 0 New requirements for notice and service of
documents are introduced.31 At the first hearing the person charged

23 Defence (Amendment) Act 2007, Chapter 3, sections 20, 21, 22, 24 and 27.
24 Id., section 33. The first Director is Col. William A. Nott.
25 Id., section 32. The first CMA is Col. Paul Packenham.
26 Id., section 34. The first Military Judge is Col. Tony McCourt (the author
of this article).
27 Id., Chapter 4.
28 Id., Chapter 3.
29 Id., Chapter 3.
30 Id., Chapter 3, sections 23, 24 and 28.
31 Id., Chapter 3, sections 23, 24 and 28.
 COL. TONY MCCOURT

must be informed that he/she may elect to have the case dealt with
by court-martial.32 If dealt with by summary process there will be a
'determination' rather than a 'finding' and a 'punishment' rather than
a 'sentence'.33 There will be an absolute right of appeal to a Summary
34
Court-Martial against the determination and/or the punishment.
The power of a commanding officer to make a custodial award of
detention to a private soldier or a seaman is abolished. In any case
where such a punishment is deemed warranted a commanding officer
will now remand the person for trial by court-martial. In such a case
it is likely that the Director will send the case to the summary court-
martial for trial by a military judge sitting alone. To balance this,
the range and severity of financial and other punishments available
at summary level is increased.35 In the event of an appeal to the
Summary Court-Martial against a punishment awarded summarily
the maximum punishment awardable is capped at that which could
36
have been awarded by the commanding officer.
Trial by Court-Martial
A person may be tried by a court-martial because:
1. He has been charged with a minor disciplinary offence
and has elected to be tried by court-martial.37
2. His commanding officer decided, in his discretion, that
the case should be tried by court-martial.38
3. The commanding officer has remanded him for trial by
court-martial because the charge is of a more serious
disciplinary nature or is a criminal charge, which the
commanding officer cannot deal with summarily or
which he may dismiss only with the prior consent of the
Director, who has refused such consent.39

32 Id., Chapter 3, sections 23 and 24.

33 Id., Chapter 3, sections 23, 24 and 28.
14 Id., Chapter 3, section 26.
31 Id., Chapter 3, sections 23, 24 and 28.
36 Id., Chapter 3, section 26.
37 Id., Chapter 3, sections 23 and 24.
38 Id., Chapter 3, sections 23 and 24.
39 Id., Chapter 3, sections 23 and 24.
 IRELAND'S MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM UPDATED DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

Once a person is so remanded the prosecution file is prepared

and sent to the Director, who, exercising powers similar to the
Director of Public Prosecutions, will issue a direction. 4° This
could be that no trial be held or that the person be tried by any of
the 3 classes of court-martial. If the offence is of a very serious
nature he will direct trial by a general court-martial regardless of
the rank of the accused. If the charge is of a less serious nature
and involves a person who is not an officer he may direct trial by
limited court-martial. If the charge is relatively minor and in his
opinion appropriate to be tried by a summary court-martial the
Director may so direct. Based on the Canadian experience it is
probable that most trials will be by summary court-martial.
Appeal to Courts-Martial Appeal Court
In the case of a conviction by any class of court-martial, there is
a right of appeal to the Courts-Martial Appeal Court, composed
of 1 Supreme Court and 2 High Court judges, all of whom are
civilians.41
Summary Court-Martial2
The summary court-martial will be a new permanent standing
court which, unlike a General or Limited Court-Martial, will not
require any order from a convening authority to bring it into being
and any military judge will constitute a summary court-martial.
A summary court-martial has jurisdiction to:
a. hear an appeal against a 'determination' made and/or
a 'punishment' awarded by a commanding officer by a
summary process,
b. try a charge referred to it by the Director where the
person charged has elected to be tried by court-martial
or where the Director considers that a charge on which
a person has been remanded for trial by court-martial is
one which is appropriate for trial by that court,
c. decide legal aid applications.
40 Id., Chapter IVB, section 33.
41 Courts-Martial Appeals Act 1983.
42 Defence (Amendment) Act 2007, section 38.
 COL. TONY MCCOURT

It is intended to expand the jurisdiction of that court to include

supervision and review of custody and related matters. A summary
court-martial exercising its appeal jurisdiction may refer any
question of law, which arises in the appeal, to the Courts-Martial
Appeal Court.43
General or Limited Court-Martial
Both General and Limited Courts-Martial will come into being
on an order of the Court-Martial Administrator (CMA), when so
directed by the Director.44 The CMA will select the members of
the court-martial board. Such courts will be restructured to allow
for one senior NCO to be a member. They will comprise a military
judge and a court-martial board of not less than 5 or 3 members,
as the case may be. The court-martial board will decide issues
of fact only.45 Findings of fact will require a two-thirds majority
instead of a simple majority in future. 46 The military judge will
deal with all applications for legal aid, decide all issues of law
and will hand down sentence alone. 7
Court-Martial Administrator
The Court-MartialAdministrator (CMA) has been appointed by warrant
of the Judge Advocate General, a senior civilian lawyer appointed by
the President. He is not a lawyer. He replaces the former Convening
Authority. Apart from his role in selecting members of court-martial
boards, he will be responsible for the administration of the business of
courts-martial. He will refer cases to the summary court-martial, both
appeals from summary cases and charges for trial as directed by the
Director.48 Where such a direction so requires he will convene a General
or Limited Court-Martial, as directed. 49 He is, in fact, double-hatted
since he also serves as the Director of Administration. As CMA he is
independent in the performance of his functions.5 °
41 Id., section 26.
44 Id., sections 32 and 37.
45 Id., section 48.
46 Id., section 48.
47 Id., sections 38, 47 and 48.
48 Id., section 32.
41 Id., section 32.
50 Id., section 32.
 IRELAND'S MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM UPDATED DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

Director of Military Prosecutions (Director) 1

This new appointment is based on the similar appointment
established in recent years in the UK. The appointee could likewise
be the Director of the Legal Service, double-hatted. He must be
an officer and a lawyer of not less than ten years standing. At the
request of the Minister for Defence, a committee comprised of
the Chief of Staff, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and
ajudge of the High Court, will select an applicant for nomination
by the Minister and appointment by the Government. He will be
independent of the chain of command. There will be no assessment
reports on his performance. His powers will be similar to those
of the DPP. It is an offence to attempt to influence him as to a
prosecution.5 2 He can only be removed for cause shown and there
is a removal procedure provided for in the Act. A High Court judge
may be appointed by the Government to examine and report on
how he performs his duties.
Military Judge53
The newly created position of military judge replaces the judge
advocate. He must be an officer and a lawyer of not less than
ten years standing. At the request of the Minister for Defence, a
committee comprised of the Chief of Staff, the Judge Advocate
General and a judge of the High Court, will select an applicant
for appointment by the President on the recommendation of the
Government. He will be independent of the chain of command.
There will be no assessment reports on his performance. His term
of office will be until retirement. While he will hold military
rank of not less than that of colonel he will only perform judicial
functions. He may not be removed except for cause shown. Unlike
in Canada he cannot ever serve in any other capacity than that of
military judge, although the Canadian provision in this regard is
now under review. If he ceases to be a judge he must retire from
the Defence Forces. His powers as ajudge will be similar to those
of a judge of the ordinary civilian criminal courts. The issue of

51 Id., section 33.

52 Id., section 18.
53 Id., section 34.
 COL. TONY MCCOURT

having a civilian as a military judge was considered, but it was

decided to have a military officer in that role since he alone will
decide sentence of any court-martial.54
Conclusion
The aforementioned are only some of the many changes now being
implemented in Ireland to modernize and update the system of
military justice. Other significant changes include new powers
of the military judge to take into account the effect of an offence
on the victim, to suspend custodial sentences, to make orders
in respect of the payment of fines or compensation awards by
installments, refinements to the scales of punishment, and new
powers to deal with accused persons suffering from mental
disorders. While the new system of military justice is being
implemented the drafting of another Defence Amendment Bill
to deal with outstanding issues, including the range and methods
of investigation of offences against military law, will commence
shortly. The present and proposed changes take full account of
legal requirements, recent case law and prevailing human rights
norms, both nationally and internationally.

51 Id., section 48.

 IRELAND'S MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM UPDATED DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

SUMMARY
Ireland's Military Justice System Updated: Defence (Amendment) Act
2007
Ireland has a common law legal system and also a written constitution. The
military justice system of Ireland is laid down in the DefenceAct 1954. Influenced
by ECHR considerations, major structural changes have been implemented by
the Defence (Amendment) Act 2007. The many changes include:
Only minor disciplinary offences may be dealt with by summary process. An
assisting person may be present during the process. The person charged may
always elect for trial by court-martial or appeal the outcome of the summary
process to the Summary Court-Martial. Detention by a commanding officer
is abolished.
A Summary, Limited or General Court-Martial tries serious disciplinary or
criminal offences. New appointments include an independent Director of
Military Prosecutions, a Court-Martial Administrator (CMA) and a Military
Judge. A permanent Summary Court-Martial (military judge alone), is
established, with both original and appeal jurisdiction. Other courts-martial
comprise a military judge and a court-martial board, normally 3 or 5 members.
The board decides issues of fact only. Findings require a two-thirds majority
instead of a simple majority.
Other changes include power for the military judge to take account of the
effect of an offence on the victim, to suspend custodial sentences, to order
payment of fines or compensation by installments, and new powers to deal
with accused persons suffering from mental disorders.

RESUME
Revision du systme irlandais de justice militaire: Le Defence
(Amendment) Act 2007
L'Irlande a un syst~me juridique base sur le droit coutumier et elle a 6galement
une Constitution dcrite. Le syst~me de justice militaire est fixd par le Defence
Act (la Loi sur la defense) de 1954. Sous l'influence de considdrations de la
CEDH, d'importantes modifications structurelles ont dtd mises en euvre par le
Defence (Amendment) Act 2007. Les nombreux changements comprennent:
Seules les infractions disciplinaires mineures pourront tre traitdes par un
proc~s sommaire. Une personne ddsignde pour assister l'accusd peut tre
prdsente au cours du proc~s. Le prdvenu peut touj ours choisir d'etre poursuivi
en Cour martiale ou bien faire appel de la d~cision du proc~s sommaire devant
la Cour martiale sommaire. La detention par un commandant est abolie.
Une Cour martiale sommaire, limitde ou gdndrale juge les infractions
disciplinaires ou criminelles graves. Les nouvelles nominations comprennent
 COL. TONY MCCOURT

un Directeur des Poursuites militaires inddpendant, un Administrateur de la

Cour martiale et un juge militaire. Une Cour martiale sommaire permanente
(juge militaire seul) est 6tablie, avec la comp6tence de premiere instance
et d'appel. Les autres Cours martiales comportent un juge militaire et un
conseil de cour martiale, de 3 ou 5 membres normalement. Le conseil statue
uniquement sur des questions de fait. Les d6cisions requi&rent une majorit6
des deux tiers au lieu d'une majoritd simple.
D'autres changements comprennent les pouvoirs dujuge militaire de prendre
en compte l'effet d'une infraction sur la victime, de suspendre les peines
privatives de libertd, d'ordonner le paiement d'indemnits ou de compensations
par versements dchelonn6s et de nouveaux pouvoirs lui permettant de traiter
les cas d'accusds souffrant de troubles mentaux.

SAMENVATTING
Actualisering van het Terse militaire rechtsstelsel: de 'Defence
(Amendment) Act 2007'

Jerland heeft een 'common law' rechtsstelsel en een geschreven grondwet.

Het militaire rechtsstelsel van Jerland is neergelegd in de 'Defence Act 1954'.
Onder invloed van het EVRM werden aan dit stelsel belangrijke structurele
wijzigingen doorgevoerd door de 'Defence (Amendment) Act 2007'. De
talrijke veranderingen omvatten de volgende punten.
Enkel lichte disciplinaire inbreuken kunnen worden behandeld in een
vereenvoudigde procedure ('summary process') en er mag een persoon
aanwezig zijn die bijstand verleent tijdens deze procedure. De beschuldigde
kan echter steeds kiezen voor een krijgsraad ('court-martial') en kan een beroep
aantekenen tegen het resultaat van een 'summary process' bij de 'Summary
Court-Martial'. Detentie door een bevelvoerend officier is afgeschaft.
Een krijgsraad oordeelt over ernstige disciplinaire inbreuken en over
strafrechtelijke inbreuken. De krijgsraad kan de vorm hebben van een
'Summary', 'Limited' of 'General' Court-Martial. Nieuwe functies
en benoemingen omvatten een onathankelijke Directeur der militaire
vervolgingen ('Director of Military Prosecutions'), een Bestuurder van de
krijgsraad ('Court-Martial Administrator') en een militaire rechter ('Military
Judge'). Een permanente 'Summary Court-Martial' (bestaande uit d6n
militaire rechter), werd opgericht met rechtsmacht deels in eerste aanleg en
deels in beroep. Andere krijgsraden bestaan uit een militaire rechter en een
college van de krijgsraad ('court-martial board'), dat normaal gezien 3 of 5
leden telt. Dit college oordeelt enkel over de feiten en beslist met een twee
derde meerderheid in plaats van een gewone meerderheid.
Andere veranderingen omvaten o.a. de bevoegdheid van de militaire rechter
om rekening te houden met het effect van een misdrijf op het slachtoffer, om
veroordelingen tot vrijheidsberoving op te schorten en om betaling van boetes
 IRELAND'S MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM UPDATED DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

of schadevergoeding op te leggen in schijven en nieuwe bevoegdheden om

om te gaan met beschuldigden die aan mentale stoornissen lijden.

ZUSAMMENFASSUNG
Aktualisierung des irischen Militilrrechtssystems: der Defence
(Amendment) Act 2007
Irland hat ein auf dem Gewohnheitsrecht basiertes Rechtssystem sowie eine
schriftliche Verfassung. Das Militarrechtssystem von Irland ist im Defence Act
von 1954 festgelegt worden. Unter Einfluss der Oberlegungen in der EMRK
wurden eingehende strukturelle Anderungen an dem Defence (Amendment)
Act von 2007 vorgenommen. Die vielen Anderungen umfassen Folgendes:
Nur leichte Disziplinarverletzungen k~nnen in einem abgekflrzten und
vereinfachten Verfahren behandelt werden. Whrend des Verfahrens darf der
Angeklagte von einer Person beigestanden werden. Der Angeklagte kann sich
immer dafiir entscheiden, vor dem Militargericht zu erscheinen oder beim
Summary Court-Martial Berufung gegen das im Rahmen des abgekflrzten
und vereinfachten Verfahrens gefdillte Urteil einzulegen. Die Gefangenhaltung
durch einen kommandierenden Offizier ist abgeschafft worden.
Ein Summary, Limited oder General Court-Martial entscheidet Uber
schwere Disziplinarverletzungen oder Straftaten. Die neuen Anstellungen
umfassen unter anderem einen unabhingigen Direktor ftir militarische
Strafverfolgungen, einen Verwalter ftir das Militargericht und einen
Militarrichter. Ein festes Summary Court-Martial (nur ein Militarrichter), das
sowohl in erster Instanz als in Berufung zustqindig ist, wird errichtet. Andere
Militargerichte setzen sich aus einem Militarrichter und einer Kammer von
normalerweise 3 oder 5 Mitgliedern zusammen. Die Kammer entscheidet nur
tber die Fragen der tatsaichlichen Begebenheiten. FUr die Entscheidungen ist
eine Zweidrittelmehrheit statt einer einfachen Mehrheit erforderlich.
Sonstige Anderungen beziehen sich auf die Zustandigkeiten des
Militarrichters, um die Folgen eines Delikts fir das Opfer zu berUcksichtigen,
Gefangnisstrafen aufzuschieben, Ratenzahlungen ftr Geldbul3en oder
Schadenersatz zu gewahren sowie auf neue Zustandigkeiten, um gegen
geisteskranke Angeklagte vorzugehen.

RIASSUNTO
Modificato il sistema giudiziario militare irlandese: il Defence
(Amendment) Act 2007
L'Irlanda possiede un sistema giuridico di common law, ma anche una
Costituzione scritta. I1 sistema giudiziario militare &invece disciplinato dal
Defence Act del 1954. Recentemente, sulla scia della giurisprudenza della
Corte EDU, sono state introdotte talune modifiche di particolare rilievo,
 COL. TONY MCCOURT

mediante il Defence (Amendment) Act 2007.

Una Corte militare, nelle tre composizioni "sommaria", "limitata" o
"generale", ha giurisdizione sulle violazioni disciplinari o penali pia gravi.
A seguito dei cambiamenti introdotti, i "processi sommari" potranno
riguardare solo casi di infrazioni disciplinari secondarie. Nel corso di tali
processi, poi, l'interessato potrA avvalersi di una persona deputata alla sua
assistenza. A seguito, l'interessato potrA scegliere se affrontare un processo
innanzi una Corte marziale "ordinaria", ovvero scegliere un giudizio militare
d'appello altrettanto "sommario". Viene invece abolito l'arresto su ordine
del Comandante. Tra le nuove nomine previste, si annoverano un Direttore
delle Procure militari indipendente, un Amministratore dei tribunali militari
(Court - Martial Administrator- CMA) ed un Giudice militare. Viene inoltre
costituita una Corte marziale "sommaria" permanente (composta da un giudice
monocratico) di primo e secondo grado. Le altre Corti marziali comprendono
invece un giudice militare ed un collegio, normalmente composto da tre o
cinque membri, che giudica solo su questioni di fatto e a maggioranza dei due
terzi, invece che a maggioranza semplice.
Altre modifiche comprendono la possibilit del giudice di valutare le
conseguenze del reato sulla vittima, di sospendere l'esecuzione delle sentenze
di reclusione, di comminare multe, ovvero ordinare il risarcimento, con
pagamento rateale, del danneggiato e di trattare casi di imputati che soffrono
di problemi mentali.

RESUMEN
Sistema juridico militar irland6s actualizado: "Defence (Amendment)
Act 2007"
Irlanda tiene un sistemajuridico basado en el derecho consuetudinario y posee
tambidn una Constituci6n escrita. La justicia militar irlandesa estA regulada
por el Defence Act 1954. En base a determinadas consideraciones de la Corte
Europea de los Derechos Humanos, en 2007 el Defence (Amendment) Act
introdujo unas modificaciones estructurales mayores, entre las cuales cabe
destacar las siguientes:
S61o infracciones disciplinarias menores ("minor offenses") pueden ser
sancionadas en un procedimiento sumario. El infractor puede contar con
asesoramiento durante el proceso. El acusado siempre puede solicitar su
enjuiciamiento ante el Consejo de guerra o puede apelar la decisi6n del
procedimiento sumario ante el "Summary Court-Martial" (Consejo de guerra
en procedimiento sumario). La detenci6n por un oficial comandante ha sido
abolida.
Un consejo de guerra de tipo "Summary, Limited o General Court-Martial"
falla en el caso de infracciones disciplinarias o criminales serias. Se realizan
nuevas designaciones, particularmente un "Director of Military Prosecutions"
 IRELAND'S MILITARY JUSTICE SYSTEM UPDATED DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2007

independiente, un "Court-Martial Administrator" (CMA) y un juez militar. Se

establece un "Summary Court-Martial" permanente, (s6lo un juez militar),
con competencia en primera instancia y como jurisdicci6n de apelaci6n.
Otros consejos de guerra estdn compuestos de un juez militar y un colegio de
normalmente 3 o 5 miembros. El colegio se pronuncia s6lo sobre cuestiones
de hecho. Las decisiones exigen una mayoria de dos tercios en lugar de la
mayoria simple.
Entre las otras modificaciones figuran la competencia del juez militar de
tomar en cuenta el efecto de la infracci6n sobre la victima, de suspender
la pena privativa de libertad, de ordenar el abono escalonado de multas o
indemnizaciones de dafios y perjuicios, asi como nuevas competencias
que le permiten actuar contra personas acusadas que padecen de trastornos
mentales.
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