| Short Title: | Criminal Lunatics (Ireland) Act 1838 |
| Type: | Act |
| Parliament: | Parliament of the United Kingdom |
| Long Title: | An Act to make more effectual Provision for the Prevention of Offences by Insane Persons in Ireland. |
| Year: | 1838 |
| Citation: | 1 & 2 Vict. c. 27 |
| Royal Assent: | 11 June 1838 |
The Criminal Lunatics (Ireland) Act 1838[1] (1 & 2 Vict. c. 27) was an act of Parliament in the United Kingdom, signed into law on 11 June 1838. It was one of the Lunacy (Ireland) Acts 1821 to 1890.[2]
The act provided that when a person was detained under circumstances suggesting that they were of deranged mind and had the intention of committing a crime, then two justices were empowered to call in a physician to examine the suspect. If the physician determined that the person was a "dangerous lunatic" he could be committed to gaol, until either discharged by order of two justices or removed to a lunatic asylum by order of the Lord Lieutenant.[3]
The Lord Lieutenant was given the power to direct persons under a sentence of imprisonment or transportation be placed in a lunatic asylum, to remain there until certified of sound mind by two physicians, when the Lord Lieutenant could direct their removal. Additionally, he was given a similar power in regard to persons committed for trial.[3]