Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998

3 (1) The Public Order (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 shall be amended as follows. N.I.

(2) In Article 4(3) for “paragraphs (1) and (2)” there shall be substituted “ paragraph (2) ” and for “a procession or” (wherever occurring) there shall be substituted “ an ”.

(3) In Article 4(6) for the words from “liable” to the end there shall be substituted the words “ liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both. ”.

(4) In Article 5(1)(a) for “paragraphs (1) and (2)” there shall be substituted “ paragraph (2) ”.

(5) In Article 5(1) for sub-paragraphs (A) and (B) there shall be substituted—

“(A) prohibiting the holding in that area or place of an open-air public meeting specified in the order;

(B) prohibiting, for such period not exceeding 28 days as may be specified in the order, the holding in that area or place of any open-air public meeting of such class or description as may be so specified; or

(C) prohibiting, for such period not exceeding 28 days as may be specified in the order, the holding in that area or place of all open-air public meetings.”.

(6) In Article 5 after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted—

“(1A) An order under paragraph (1)(B) or (C) may exempt any open-air public meeting, or any class or description of open-air public meeting, specified in the order.”.

(7) In Article 5(5) for “a public procession or” (wherever occurring) there shall be substituted “ an ”.

(8) In Article 5(6) for the words from “liable” to the end there shall be substituted the words “ liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both. ”.

(9) In Article 24(3) for “Article 7(1) or (2)” there shall be substituted “ Article 7(2) ”.