Background and Policy Objectives Criminal proceedings on Sunday
24.Current legislation under the Sunday Observance Act (Ireland) 1695 has the effect that only certain types of court business can be conducted on a Sunday. Under that Act, Sunday courts can only conduct proceedings relating to indictable offences, breaches of the peace or acts of treason. This Act makes provision for magistrates’ courts to deal with summary offences on Sundays on a short-term basis and in exceptional circumstances. The provision is designed primarily to cater for any public disorder that might arise during the G8 Conference to be held in Northern Ireland in summer 2013.