Menu
20/01/2020
Offence Of Blasphemy Abolished In Ireland
The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, has announced the commencement of the Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Act 2019 which abolishes the offence of blasphemy.
The move comes after the Act was passed by both houses of the Oireachtas before Christmas, which followed last year's referendum approval of removing the criminal requirement with a majority in each of the 40 constituencies.
While the new legislation represents a short technical change, Minister Flanagan welcomed the law change.
"The very notion of criminalising blasphemy, with the risk of a chilling effect on free expression and public debate, has no place in the Constitution or the laws of a modern Republic," he said. "Ireland is a country of increasing diversity. The right to express differing viewpoints in a forthright and critical manner is a right to be cherished and upheld. With this Act we have also removed all identified references to blasphemy from the Statute Book, including those in the Censorship of Films Acts."
The Minister highlighted that the changes are not an attack on religious beliefs.
"The new Act is a simple acknowledgement that the meaning of the concept of blasphemy is unclear in a modern State, and that the concept is rooted in a distant past where fealty to the State was conflated with fealty to a particular religion."
(JG/CM)
The move comes after the Act was passed by both houses of the Oireachtas before Christmas, which followed last year's referendum approval of removing the criminal requirement with a majority in each of the 40 constituencies.
While the new legislation represents a short technical change, Minister Flanagan welcomed the law change.
"The very notion of criminalising blasphemy, with the risk of a chilling effect on free expression and public debate, has no place in the Constitution or the laws of a modern Republic," he said. "Ireland is a country of increasing diversity. The right to express differing viewpoints in a forthright and critical manner is a right to be cherished and upheld. With this Act we have also removed all identified references to blasphemy from the Statute Book, including those in the Censorship of Films Acts."
The Minister highlighted that the changes are not an attack on religious beliefs.
"The new Act is a simple acknowledgement that the meaning of the concept of blasphemy is unclear in a modern State, and that the concept is rooted in a distant past where fealty to the State was conflated with fealty to a particular religion."
(JG/CM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 November 2019
Two Further Men Arrested In Connection With Kevin Lunney Investigation
Two men have been arrested by gardaí investigating the abduction of Kevin Lunney on 17 September 2019. A male, aged 25 years, has been arrested in the Dublin Region for an offence contrary to Section 73 Criminal Justice Act 2006 and is being detained under Section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007 at Irishtown Garda station.
Two Further Men Arrested In Connection With Kevin Lunney Investigation
Two men have been arrested by gardaí investigating the abduction of Kevin Lunney on 17 September 2019. A male, aged 25 years, has been arrested in the Dublin Region for an offence contrary to Section 73 Criminal Justice Act 2006 and is being detained under Section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007 at Irishtown Garda station.
18 October 2018
Fine Gael Urge People To Vote For Change To Blasphemy Law
Fine Gael have urged people to support the yes vote to remove the crime of blasphemy from the Constitution. Making the call, Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, said that blasphemy has no place in the modern Constitution of a democratic society.
Fine Gael Urge People To Vote For Change To Blasphemy Law
Fine Gael have urged people to support the yes vote to remove the crime of blasphemy from the Constitution. Making the call, Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, said that blasphemy has no place in the modern Constitution of a democratic society.
11 May 2018
Govt Urged To 'Act Immediately' On Mental Health Act
The government has been urged to "act immediately" to resolve the legislative issues arising from a Supreme Court ruling on an unconstitutional section of the Mental Health Act 2001. The section, which allows for an extension of detention of an involuntary patient by 12 months, was deemed unconstitutional this week.
Govt Urged To 'Act Immediately' On Mental Health Act
The government has been urged to "act immediately" to resolve the legislative issues arising from a Supreme Court ruling on an unconstitutional section of the Mental Health Act 2001. The section, which allows for an extension of detention of an involuntary patient by 12 months, was deemed unconstitutional this week.
02 December 2019
Irish Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Terrorist Offences
A 38-year-old Irish woman has been arrested at Dublin Airport on suspicion of terrorist offences following her deportation from Turkey. She is currently being detained at a South Dublin Garda station under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939 as amended.
Irish Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Terrorist Offences
A 38-year-old Irish woman has been arrested at Dublin Airport on suspicion of terrorist offences following her deportation from Turkey. She is currently being detained at a South Dublin Garda station under the provisions of Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939 as amended.
13 July 2018
Two Arrested And Firearm Seized In Drogheda Area
Two people have been arrested and a firearm has been seized following a Gardai operation targeting dissident republican activity in the Drogheda area. On 11 July, Garda stopped and searched a car at around 3pm in the Crushrod Avenue area.
Two Arrested And Firearm Seized In Drogheda Area
Two people have been arrested and a firearm has been seized following a Gardai operation targeting dissident republican activity in the Drogheda area. On 11 July, Garda stopped and searched a car at around 3pm in the Crushrod Avenue area.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
