Where a judge of the District Court is satisfied, on the sworn information of an authorised officer, that there are reasonable grounds for believing that at a dwelling (a) a gambling activity has taken place, is taking place or is intended to take place, (b) relevant material is being kept, or (c) gambling products are being kept, the judge may issue a warrant authorising the authorised officer, accompanied by other authorised officers, members of An Garda Síochána or other competent persons, at any time or times within the warrant’s period of validity and on production of the warrant, to enter the dwelling, if necessary by the use of reasonable force, and to exercise the powers conferred on an authorised officer by section 185.

A warrant is valid for 28 days from its date of issue but may be extended. During the period of validity (including any previously extended period) an authorised officer may apply to a judge of the District Court, on information on oath stating, by reference to the purpose(s) for which the warrant was issued, the reasons why the extension is necessary; if the judge is satisfied there are reasonable grounds that further time is needed the judge may extend the period by such period as is appropriate and shall endorse the warrant to indicate the extension. A judge may also, on a fresh application under the initial provision, issue a further search warrant in relation to the same dwelling.