Commentary on Sections Identification Section 95 Powers to require removal of disguises: Northern Ireland
240.Section 95 provides for the Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 to be amended by the insertion of a new Article 23A, which makes similar provision for Northern Ireland to that made for Great Britain by virtue of Section 94. Accordingly, where a senior police officer reasonably believes that incidents involving the commission of offences may take place within a locality, he may issue an authorisation which will enable the police to exercise powers to require the removal of face coverings worn for the purpose of concealing identity, and to seize any such items. Under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1996, it was an offence to wear a mask or hood in a public place for the purpose of concealing identity. This provision was repealed when the Terrorism Act 2000 took effect.
241.A consequential amendment is also made to the Police and Criminal Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 to provide that failure to comply with the requirement to remove a disguise is an arrestable offence.