Blasphemy now illegal in Ireland

[Fitz]

http://www.palibandaily.com/2009/07/09/ireland-makes-blasphemy-illegal/
(1) A person who publishes or utters blasphemous matter shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable upon conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €100,000. [Amended to €25,000] (1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 36, the court may issue a warrant (a) authorising any member of the Garda Siochana to enter (if necessary by the use of reasonable force) at all reasonable times any premises (including a dwelling) at which he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that copies of the statement to which the offence related are to be found, and to search those premises and seize and remove all copies of the statement found therein,


Edit: not official yet, It was passed by the Dail, one of the legislative bodies. It must then be passed by the Seanad and signed by the President.

[Gabby]

It's been in the constitution for a long time. The law supports the constitution. So how do they define blasphamy? Anti-Catholic? Anti-what?

"Ireland, blasphemy is prohibited by the constitution, but there are no laws on the statute books preventing it. On April 29 2009, however, it was announced that Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern would propose an amendment to the Defamation Bill, which would introduce the crime of blasphemous libel. This crime would carry a penalty of a fine up to €100,000."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy_laws#Ireland

[Clintville]

http://www.palibandaily.com/2009/07/09/ireland-makes-blasphemy-illegal/
Wow. I don't think not even the most super Christian town in America would pass something so outrageous. Is this real? If so, Ireland cannot really be labeled a liberal democracy anymore.

EDIT: Wait, so it hasn't been passed or what?

[Gabby]

Wow. I don't think not even the most super Christian town in America would pass something so outrageous. Is this real? If so, Ireland cannot really be labeled a liberal democracy anymore.

It's been in the constitution for a long time. Guess someone just noticed it.

[PeterGriffin]

Well I'll be *** damned.

[Gabby]

some info ...


http://www.internationalfreepresssociety.org/2009/04/ireland-poised-to-pass-anti-blasphemy-law/


Article 40 of the Constitution, guaranteeing freedom of speech, qualifies it by stating: “The State shall endeavour to ensure that organs of public opinion, such as the radio, the press, the cinema, while preserving their rightful liberty of expression, including criticism of Government policy, shall not be used to undermine public order or morality or the authority of the State.

“The publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent material is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law.”

[Fitz]

Ok, my apologies, It was passed by one of the legislative bodies, so it's not official just yet.


MAJOR new legislation reforming the State's libel laws and enabling judges to advise juries on the size of damages was passed in the Dáil yesterday.
The Defamation Bill, which also introduces a new crime of blasphemous libel, will come into operation after it is passed by the Seanad later this week and signed into law by President Mary McAleese (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Mary+McAleese).
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/libel-and-blasphemy-bill-passed-by-the-dail-1813479.html

[King Cantona]

Ireland is a progressive democracy so take no notice of this, it's just a non-story....

[captusa]

Wow. I don't think not even the most super Christian town in America would pass something so outrageous. Is this real? If so, Ireland cannot really be labeled a liberal democracy anymore.

EDIT: Wait, so it hasn't been passed or what?

In the USA not only is such a law prohibitted as the limitation of free speech but if there was a law against blasphemy it could not specify it being against any particular religion.
Blasphemy is your disrespect of my God.

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Yet another reason I'm glad I live here, although I am certain there are some who would support such a law.

[dittoheadAZ]

Blasphemy now illegal in Ireland

Uh-oh - that's ANOTHER country that's not allowed to say anything nasty about :liar:bama!

[Safiel]

Blasphemy is a victimless crime.

[Talk2Bill]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erthun0Pauc

2:40 clip from the Monty Python movie 'the life of brian' about Blasphemy!!