Blasphemy law delayed until October
The Defamation Act will probably not become operable until mid to late October, because the rules of court need to be amended to accommodate it. The Law Reform Division of the Department of Justice has confirmed that: "The Act is subject to a commencement order. It is intended to commence ...
Campaign to Repeal the Blasphemy Law
Today the Irish President signed into law the Defamation Act that includes the newly-defined crime of blasphemy. This law will become operable when the Minister for Justice signs an order making it so. Atheist Ireland will now campaign for the repeal of this anachronistic and dangerous blasphemy law, and for ...
Is the Blasphemy Law Unconstitutional?
Atheist Ireland has sent a letter to the President of Ireland, outlining our concerns about the constitutionality of the new blasphemy law, for her to consider before she discusses the issue with the Council of State tomorrow. In our letter we argue the following: The law is contrary to the guarantees ...
In the News – July 6 to July 19
President calls Council of State meeting (news item in the Irish Times, July 17) Blasphemy law is an anachronism (opinion piece in the Offaly Express, July 15) Blasphemy law a return to middle ages - Dawkins (news item by Alison Healy in the Irish Times, July 13) Blasphemy law is ...
Speeches from Atheist Ireland AGM
Here are the opening speeches from the Atheist Ireland AGM on Saturday, which focus on the blasphemy law now passed by the Oireachtas. Introduction and opening speech by Senator Ivana Bacik (more…)
Blasphemy Law is Dangerous, Silly, Unjust
In this article, first published in the Irish Times on July 10, Michael Nugent describes why the blasphemy law is dangerous, silly and unjust. Why has Dermot Ahern, in 2009, made blasphemy a crime punishable by a fine of €25,000? When this anachronistic part of the now Defamation Act is ...
Dail Passes Blasphemy Law
The blasphemy law has now been passed in the Dail, as part of Defamation Act, with no debate on the blasphemy amendments. The debate was restricted to an hour (for the full Defamation Bill). Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said that extending time for the blasphemy amendments would just be regurgitating ...
Father Ted Creators Back Challenge to Law
Father Ted creators Arthur Mathews and Graham Linehan are supporting a challenge by Atheist Ireland to the new blasphemy law. If the bill becomes law, which may happen this week or next, Atheist Ireland will challenge it by publishing a blasphemous statement. Father Ted creators back challenge to the blasphemy ...
In the News – June 29 to July 5
Father Ted creators back challenge to the blasphemy bill (news item by Henry McDonald in The Observer, July 5) Wording of law to criminalise blasphemy a farce, says Norris (news item by Jimmy Walsh in The Irish Times, July 3) Minister to cut proposed fines for blasphemy to €25,000 (news ...
Help Needed for Next Phase of Campaign
We have now completed our series of four public meetings (in Waterford, Dublin, Cork and Limerick) and we are moving on to the following four-stranded campaign: Lobbying of politicians, especially members of the Justice Committee Building a broader coalition against the proposed bill Examining legal challenges to the proposed law ...