Treason Act, 1939

• Jurisdiction: Ireland
• Citation: IR No. 10/1939

Number 10 of 1939.
TREASON ACT, 1939.
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section 1. Punishment of treason. 2. Encouraging, harbouring, or comforting persons guilty of treason. 3. Misprision of treason. 4. Short title.
Number 10 of 1939.
TREASON ACT, 1939.
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF TREASON AND CERTAIN ANCILLARY OFFENCES. [30th May, 1939.]
WHEREAS it is provided by Article 39 of the Constitution that treason shall consist only in levying war against the State, on assisting any State or person or inciting or conspiring with any person to levy war against the State, or attempting by force of arms or other violent means to overthrow the organs of government, established by the Constitution, or taking part or being concerned in or inciting or conspiring with any person to make or to take part or be concerned in any such attempt:
AND WHEREAS, in order that the said Article 39 may be fully effective, it is necessary that provision should be made by statute for the punishment of persons who commit or are accessories to the commission of treason:
BE IT THEREFORE ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:—
	Punishment of treason.	1.—(1) Every person who commits treason within the State shall be liable on conviction thereof to suffer death.
	(2) Every person who, being an Irish citizen or ordinarily resident within the State, commits treason outside the State shall be liable on conviction thereof to suffer death.
	(3) Whenever a person charged with treason is indicted therefor before the Central Criminal Court, he shall be so indicted in the same manner in all respects as a person charged with murder is required by law to be indicted, and every person who is indicted in manner aforesaid for treason shall be arranged and tried in the same manner and according to the same course and order of trial as a person indicted for murder is required by law to be arraigned and tried, and every person who, on such arraignment and trial, is found guilty of treason shall be convicted thereof and sentenced therefor in like manner in all respects as a person found guilty of murder is required by law to be convicted and sentenced.
	(4) No person shall be convicted of treason on the uncorroborated evidence of one witness.
	Encouraging, harbouring, or comforting persons guilty of treason.	2.—(1) Every person who encourages, harbours, or comforts any person whom he knows or has reasonable...