Ireland

  1. Under what circumstances can a stolen vehicle be seized in your country?
  • When the police officer suspects it is stolen, he has statutory and common law power to seize the vehicle.
  1. What channels are used to notify the owner of the vehicle’s location (Interpol or other)?
  • Interpol channels and direct contact if the owners contact details are known.
  1. Who is responsible for the storage of seized vehicles?
  • Vehicles are stored by the Police or agents acting on their behalf.
  1. Are there any costs associated with storage of a seized stolen vehicle and who is responsible for these costs?
  • Costs borne by the State in most cases. Insurance Companies.
  1. How does a stolen vehicle get restored to its legal owner?
    Do the police have authority to restore the vehicle?
  • Yes if the person in whose possession the vehicle is found lays no claim to it and there is clear evidence that the vehicle is the property of the loser.

Is it the local court who authorizes release of the vehicle?

  • If ownership is in dispute, an application is made to the District Court by the Police or any interested party for the disposal of the vehicle under “The Police Property Act”. An order is then made by the judge on hearing all the facts.

Is it necessary to have a “commission rogatoire” to recover the vehicle?

  • No.

What documentation does the owner have to provide in order to recover the vehicle?

  • Evidence of ownership / Vehicle Registration Document, Proof of identity: Passport etc..
  1. Are there any time limits associated with recovery of the vehicle? (i.e. after a certain period of time the vehicle becomes the property of the state or police, etc.)?
  • None.
  1. Please give details of relevant legislation
  • Police Property Act, 1897.
  1. If the law in your country precludes the restitution of a stolen vehicle to its original owner, please give the reasons why
  • Not applicable.
  1. Does your country have any bilateral treaties, conventions, or agreements with other countries dealing with the recovery of stolen property? If so, please describe how they operate and give details of the countries concerned
  • None.
  1. Reference point, for assistance in case of difficulties
  • Inspector in charge of Communications, C.T.O., Harcourt Square, Dublin 2.

Tel: +353.1.6663109. Fax +353.1.6663177

D/Sgt. Finbarr Garland National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit, Harcourt Square, Dublin 2

Tel.:003531 6663320/25.

Last update: March 2008