Does Ireland Have the Death Penalty? No — Abolished 1990

Ireland does not have the death penalty. It was fully abolished in 1990 (Criminal Justice Act), following a 1981 constitutional amendment (19th Amendment) removing the state's power to impose capital punishment.

Timeline

• 1954: Last execution (Michael Manning, murder).
• 1964: Death penalty abolished for ordinary murder (retained for treason, capital murder).
• 1981: Constitutional referendum — 61% voted to remove death penalty provision.
• 1990: Criminal Justice Act abolished it for all offenses.
• 2001: 21st Amendment constitutionally prohibited reintroduction (even in war/emergency).
• 2002: Ratified Protocol 13 ECHR — total abolition in all circumstances.

International Commitment

Ireland is a vocal abolitionist at the UN, EU, and Council of Europe. It refuses extradition to retentionist states without death penalty assurances.

Life imprisonment is the maximum sentence; mandatory for murder, with parole eligibility after 12 years (average served ~18–20 years).