Constitution (Amendment No. 17) Act 1931

The Constitution (Amendment No. 17) Act, 1931 (No. 37/1931) amended the Constitution of the Irish Free State to allow crackdowns on certain political groups. It was introduced by the Cumann na nGaedheal government of Ireland led by W. T. Cosgrave during a period of intense Irish republican activity. The Act established a military tribunal with power to deal with political crimes and to impose the death penalty. It empowered the government to outlaw associations and the police were given extensive powers of arrest and detention. The Act was used to outlaw a dozen societies and associations including the Irish Republican Army and Saor Éire.