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S.I. No. 93/1997 - District Court Rules, 1997

Type Statutory Instrument
Publication 1997-02-24
Last updated 2026-06-23
State In force superseded text
Text As published
Source Irish Statute Book
articles 41

This is the act as published. Later amendments are not folded into the text below: each one is a separate act in this repository and an entry in this law's history.

190 amending acts · 2026-06-23, S.I. No. 281/2026 - District Court (Child Care) Rules 2026

Reform history JSON API
respondent .................................................................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................................................................................
access to the said child access to the said child .............................................................................................................................................

in its care.
Dated this.............. day of.................. 19............. 19.............
Signed..............................................................
Judge of the District Court

No. 84.50

O.84, r.26 (2)

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 37 (3)

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO VARY DISCHARGE AN ORDER

AUTHORISING REFUSAL TO ALLOW ACCESS TO A CHILD
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... a child
.............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. Applicant
of .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Respondent(s)
of ..................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................

WHEREAS on the application of the above-named health board, made under section 37 (3) of the above-mentioned Act, with respect to the above-named child who is in the
care of the board at ....................................................................................................................................................

in the said court district, the Court on the ..... day of ............... 19.... made an order authorising the board to refuse to allow ..................... of ........................................................ access to the child.

TAKE NOTICE that the applicant will apply at the sitting of the District Court to be
held at .......................................................................................................................................................................

on the ...... day of ............. 19..... at ...... a.m./p.m. under the said section to have the said order—

*discharged

*varied as follows:—

on the grounds that—
Dated this.............. day of.................. 19............. 19.............
Signed..............................................................
Applicant
--- ---
To ....................................................................
of ....................................................................

the above-named respondent(s)

  • Delete words inapplicable

No. 84.51

O.84, r.26 (2)

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 37 (3) (b)

ORDER TO VARY DISCHARGE AN ORDER AUTHORISING REFUSAL TO

ALLOW ACCESS TO A CHILD
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... a child
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Applicant
of ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Respondent(s)
of ..................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................

WHEREAS UPON APPLICATION by the above-named health board, made under section 37 (3) of the above-named Act, with respect to the above-named child who is in
the care of the board at ............................................................................................................................................

in the said court district, THE COURT on the ..... day of ............. 19.... MADE AN ORDER authorising the board to refuse to allow .................. of ......................................... access to the child,

NOW, THE COURT on the application of the applicant herein under section 37 (3) of the Act for an Order to vary discharge the said order,

being satisfied that notice of the application was duly served,

having heard the evidence tendered, and

being satisfied that the welfare of the child so requires,

HEREBY ORDERS that the said order authorising the health board to refuse to
allow .........................................................................................................................................................................

access to the said child

*BE DISCHARGED

*BE VARIED as follows:—
Dated this.............. day of................... 19............. 19.............
Signed.............................................................
Judge of the District Court
  • Delete words inapplicable

No. 84.52

O.84, r.29

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 43 (2)

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER THAT CHILD BE DELIVERED UP TO CUSTODY OF THE HEALTH BOARD
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... a child
............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. Applicant
of ................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. Respondent
of .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................

WHEREAS the above-named child is in the care of the applicant health board and is
in the custody of the above-named respondent at ..............................................................................................

in the said court district, with whom he/she has been placed by the health board under section 36 of the above-mentioned Act,

AND WHEREAS the respondent has refused or neglected to comply with a request of the board to deliver up the child to the custody of the board,

TAKE NOTICE that the applicant will apply at the sitting of the District Court to be
held at ...........................................................................................................................................................................

on the ..... day of ............... 19..... at ..... a.m./p.m. under section 43 (2) of the Act for an order directing the respondent to deliver up the child to the custody of the board.
Dated this............ day of............. 19............. 19.............
Signed.............................................................
Solicitor for Applicant
--- ---
To ....................................................................
of ....................................................................

the above-named respondent.

No. 84.53

O.84, r.27

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 43 (2)

ORDER THAT CHILD BE DELIVERED UP TO CUSTODY OF HEALTH BOARD
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... a child
............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. Applicant
of ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. Respondent
of ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................

UPON APPLICATION by the applicant health board, made under section 43 (2) of the above-mentioned Act, with respect to the above-named child, who is in the care of the board and in the custody of the above-named respondent at ........................................ in the said court district, with whom he/she has been placed by the health board under section 36 of the above-mentioned Act, for an order directing the respondent to deliver up the child to the custody of the board, the respondent having refused/neglected to comply with a request of the board to do so,

THE COURT being satisfied that notice of the application was duly served,

having heard the evidence tendered, and

considering it to be in the best interest of the child so to do
HEREBY DIRECTS the said respondent HEREBY DIRECTS the said respondent ...................................................................................................
to deliver up the said child ..................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................

to the custody of the applicant health board.
Dated this.............. day of................... 19............. 19.............
Signed..............................................................
Judge of the District Court

No. 84.54

O.84, r.28

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

INFORMATION

(under section 46 (3) of the Act)
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... a child
.............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. Applicant
of .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. Respondent
of .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................
--- --- ---
THE INFORMATION of THE INFORMATION of ..................................................................................................................................
of .................................................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................................................

who says on oath:—

(I am the applicant herein,) (I have been authorised by the ............... Health Board to make this application.)
I say that the above-named child ...................................................................................................................

being in the care of the ....................... Health Board, was on the ....... day of ................ 19....., without lawful authority,—

*(removed from the custody of the board.)
*(removed from the custody of ....................................................... of ...........................................

who was taking care of the child on behalf of the board.)

[prevented from returning to the custody (of the board) *(of ............... of ..................... who was taking care of the child on behalf of the board) at the end of a period of leave.]
I believe that the child is for the time being at .......................................................................................................

in the said court district and that the above-named respondent can product the child and I hereby apply for an order under section 46 (3) of the above-mentioned Act directing the respondent to deliver up the child to the custody of the board.
Dated this............. day of............. day of............. 19............. 19............. 19............. 19............. 19.............
Signed.............................................................. Signed..............................................................
Informant Informant
Sworn before me this......... Sworn before me this......... day of............. day of............. 19.......... 19.......... 19.......... at.............................................................
Signed ........................................................... Signed ........................................................... Signed ...........................................................
Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district) Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district) Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district)
  • Delete words inapplicable

No. 84.55

O.84, r.28

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 46 (3)

SUMMONS
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ............................................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................................ a child
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Applicant
of ................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ Respondent
of ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................

WHEREAS from information sworn before me to-day by on behalf of the above-named applicant under section 46 (3) of the above-mentioned Act it appears that the above-named child, being in the care of the .............. Health Board, was on the ........ day of ................ 19....., without lawful authority,

*(removed from the custody of the board.)
*(removed from the custody of .......................................................... of ...................................................

who was taking care of the child on behalf of the board.)

prevented from returning to the custody (of the board) *(of ............... of ...................... who was taking care of the child on behalf of the board) at the end of a period of leave.]

AND WHEREAS it further appears that you, the above-named respondent, *residing
*for the time being at .................................................................................................................................................

in the said court district, can produce the said child,

THIS IS TO COMMAND YOU, the respondent, to appear at the sitting of the District
Court to be held at .......................................................................................................................................................

on the ..... day of .............. 19...... at ...... a.m./p.m. on the hearing of the application made in the said information for an order directing you to deliver up the child to the custody of the board.
Dated this............. day of................... 19............. 19.............
Signed..............................................................
Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district)
--- ---
To ....................................................................
of ....................................................................

the above-named respondent

  • Delete words inapplicable

No. 84.56

O.84, r.28

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 46 (3)

ORDER THAT CHILD BE DELIVERED UP TO CUSTODY OF HEALTH BOARD
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. a child
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Applicant
of .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Respondent
of ................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................

WHEREAS IT APPEARS from an application made by sworn information by on behalf of the .................. Health Board laid before this Court on the ...... day of ........... 19...., seeking an order under section 46 (3) of the above-mentioned Act with respect to the above-named child, being in the care of the board, was on the ..... day of ........... 19....., without lawful authority.

*(removed from the custody of the board.)
*(removed from the custody of ........................................................ of ...................................................

who was taking care of the child on behalf of the board.)
[prevented from returning to the custody (of the board) *(of [prevented from returning to the custody (of the board) *(of ........................................................ ........................................................
of .................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................... who was taking care of the child

on behalf of the board) at the end of a period of leave.)

and that the above-named respondent, residing for the time being at ............................ in said court district, can produce the said child,

NOW, THE COURT *(being satisfied that the summons herein was duly served,) having heard the evidence tendered and

being satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the respondent can produce the child and that the welfare of the child so requires,
HEREBY DIRECTS the respondent ............................................................................................................ ............................................................................................................
under section 46 (3) of the Act, to deliver up the said child under section 46 (3) of the Act, to deliver up the said child ................................................................................

to the custody of the .............. Health Board.
Dated this............. day of................... 19............. 19.............
Signed...............................................................
Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district)
  • Delete words inapplicable

No. 84.57

O.84, r.29

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

INFORMATION

(under section 46 (6) of the Act)
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... a child
.............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. Applicant
of .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. Respondent
of .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................................................
--- --- ---
THE INFORMATION of THE INFORMATION of .................................................................................................................................
of ................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................

who says on oath—
(I am the applicant herein,) (I have been authorised by the ...................................................................

Health Board to make this application.)
(I say that the above-named child ..................................................................................................................

is in the care of the ................ Health Board, and that on the ....... day of ................, 19....., without lawful authority, he/she was—

*(removed from the custody of the board.)
*(removed from the custody of ........................................................ of ..................................................

who was taking care of the child on behalf of the board.)
[prevented from returning to the custody (of the board) *(of [prevented from returning to the custody (of the board) *(of ........................................................ ........................................................
of .................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................... who was taking care of the child

on behalf of the board) at the end of a period of leave.]
I believe that the child is in the † I believe that the child is in the † ...................................................................................................................
at ................................................................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................................................................

in the said court district and I hereby apply for the issue of a warrant under section 46 (6) of the above-mentioned Act to search therein for the child.
Dated this.............. day of............. day of............. 19............. 19............. 19............. 19............. 19.............
Signed............................................................... Signed...............................................................
Informant Informant
Sworn before me this........ Sworn before me this........ day of............. day of............. 19.......... 19.......... 19.......... at..................................................................
Signed .............................................................................. Signed .............................................................................. Signed ..............................................................................
Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district) Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district) Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district)
  • Delete words inapplicable

† Name the house or other place as set out in section 46 (6) of the Act.

No. 84.58

O.84, r.29

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

SEARCH WARRANT

(under section 46 (6) of the Act)
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. a child
................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ Applicant
of ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Respondent
of ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................

WHEREAS IT APPEARS to me from the sworn information of the above-named applicant that the above-named child being in the care of the ..................... Health Board, was on the ...... day of ............... 19...., without lawful authority,

*(removed from the custody of the board.)
*(removed from the custody of ......................................................... of ...................................................

who was taking care of the child on behalf of the board.)
[prevented from returning to the custody (of the board) *(of [prevented from returning to the custody (of the board) *(of ........................................................................ ........................................................................
of .................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................. who was taking care of the child

on behalf of the board) at the end of a period of leave.]

AND BEING SATISFIED that there are reasonable grounds for believing that the said child is in the place set out hereunder,
I HEREBY AUTHORISE YOU, ............................................... of ..................................................

a member of the Garda Síochána, accompanied by such other members of the Garda Síochána as may be necessary, to enter (if need be by force) and to search the
† ............................................ ............................................ at ......................................................... in the said court district
for the said child for the said child ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................................
--- --- --- ---
Dated this.............. day of................... 19............. 19.............
Signed...............................................................
Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district)
--- ---
To ....................................................................
of ....................................................................

the above-named member of the Garda Síochána

  • Delete words inapplicable

† Name the house or other place as set out in section 46 (6) of the Act.

No. 84.59

O.84, r.30 (1)

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 47

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR DIRECTIONS ON A QUESTION AFFECTING

THE WELFARE OF A CHILD
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. a child
................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ Applicant
of .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................................................................... ..........................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Respondent(s)
of ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................

WHEREAS the above-named child is in the care of the ............. Health Board at
.......................................................................................................................................... in the said court district,

TAKE NOTICE that the above-named applicant will apply at the sitting of the
District Court to be held at .........................................................................................................................................

on the ..... day of ................ 19....... at ...... a.m./p.m. for an order under section 47 of the above-mentioned Act giving directions on the following question affecting the welfare of the said child—
Dated this.............. day of................... 19............. 19.............
Signed.........................................................
Applicant
--- ---
To ....................................................................
of ....................................................................

the above-named respondents)

No. 84.60

O.84, r.30 (1)

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

ORDER ON QUESTION AFFECTING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

(under section 47 of the Act)
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ......................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................... a child
............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. Applicant
of ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................
.............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................................................................. Respondent(s)
of ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ...............................................................................................................................................................

UPON APPLICATION made to this Court to-day by the above-named applicant under section 47 of the above-mentioned Act for an order giving directions on the following question affecting the welfare of the above-named child who is in the care of the ................ Health Board in the said Court district:—

THE COURT being satisfied that notice of the application was duly served, having heard the evidence tendered, and

being satisfied that the welfare of the child so requires,

HEREBY DIRECTS under the said section 47 as follows:—
Dated this.............. day of.................. 19............. 19.............
Signed..............................................................
Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district)

*Delete words inapplicable

No. 84.61

O.84, r.30 (2)

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 47

NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO VARY DISCHARGE *AN ORDER

*A DIRECTION ON A QUESTION AFFECTING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD

(under section 47 of the Act)
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. a child
................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ Applicant
of ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ Respondent(s)
of ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................
--- --- --- ---
WHEREAS on the application of ........................................... of ....................................................

made under section 47 of the above-mentioned Act, the Court on the ...... day of ............. 19...., made an order on the following question affecting the welfare of the above-named child, who is in the care of the ........... Health Board at ......................................................... in the said Court District, that is to say,—

TAKE NOTICE that the applicant herein will apply at the sitting of the District Court
to be held at ...............................................................................................................................................................

on the .... day of ............... 19...., at ...... a.m./p.m. under the said section 47 to have the said order direction—

*discharged

*varied as follows:—

on the grounds that—
Dated this.............. day of.................. 19............. 19.............
Signed...............................................................
Applicant
--- ---
To ....................................................................
of ....................................................................

the above-named respondents)

  • Delete words inapplicable

No. 84.62

O.84, r.30 (2)

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

Section 47

ORDER TO VARY DISCHARGE AN ORDER A DIRECTION

(on a question affecting the welfare of a child)
District Court Area of District Court Area of District Court Area of District No. District No.
In the matter of In the matter of ............................................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................................. a child
................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ ................................................................................................................................................................ Applicant
of ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................................................... Respondent(s)
of ..................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................... ..................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................
--- --- ---
WHEREAS ON APPLICATION by WHEREAS ON APPLICATION by ............................................................................................................
of ..................................................................................................................................................................................... .....................................................................................................................................................................................

made under section 47 of the above-mentioned Act, THE COURT on the ...... day of ............. 19....., MADE AN ORDER on question affecting the welfare of the above-named child, who is in the care of the ................... Health Board in the said Court district, to the following effect—

NOW, THE COURT on the application of the applicant herein for an order under the said section 47 to vary discharge (that order) (the following direction contained in that order—

being satisfied that notice of the application was duly served,

having heard the evidence tendered, and

being satisfied that the welfare of the child so requires,

HEREBY ORDERS that the said order direction

*BE DISCHARGED

*BE VARIED as follows:—
Dated this.............. day of.................. 19............. 19.............
Signed.............................................................
Judge of the District Court *(assigned to the said district)
  • Delete words inapplicable

No. 84.63

O.84, r.31 (2)

CHILD CARE ACT, 1991

INFORMATION

(under section 55 (2) of the Act)

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