Campaign Archives | Page 3 of 4

July 10, 2009 No Comments Michael Nugent

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 ...

July 8, 2009 19 Comments Michael Nugent

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 ...

July 5, 2009 No Comments Michael Nugent

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 ...

June 23, 2009 No Comments Michael Nugent

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 ...

June 17, 2009 No Comments Michael Nugent

Speeches from Limerick Meeting

Here are the speeches from the recent Limerick meeting against the proposed Irish blasphemy law, courtesy of Limerick Blogger. Michael Nugent, Atheist Ireland, and Larry Maher, Midwest Humanists Blasphemy is a Victimless Crime from Limerick Blogger on Vimeo.

June 15, 2009 No Comments Michael Nugent

Speeches from Cork Meeting

Here is the first of the speeches from the recent Cork meeting against the proposed Irish blasphemy law. We will upload more soon. Thanks to Tom for filming and uploading the videos. Lothar Luken, Cork poet and member of Humanist Association of Ireland

June 12, 2009 No Comments Michael Nugent

Speeches from Dublin Meeting

Here are the speeches from the recent Dublin meeting against the proposed Irish blasphemy law, along with discussion from the floor and responses from the panelists. There are nine videos, covering 80 minutes of the meeting. Thanks to Paul for filming and uploading them. Introduction by Michael Nugent, writer and ...

May 26, 2009 No Comments Michael Nugent

Public Meeting Next Wednesday in Cork

PUBLIC MEETING - BLASPHEMY IS A VICTIMLESS CRIME VENUE: METROPOLE HOTEL, CORK CITY DATE: WED 3rd JUNE TIME: 7-9pm The Cork meeting is the third of several being held around the country, organised by Atheist Ireland, an advocacy group for an ethical and secular Ireland. Speakers will include Michael Nugent, chair ...

May 26, 2009 No Comments Michael Nugent

Discussion of Dublin Public Meeting

The Dublin public meeting was a great success. Thanks to everyone who turned up, and apologies to those who could not fit into the room. We agreed to campaign against the new blasphemy law in four areas: Real-life and online lobbying of politicans. Contacting other relevant groups and individuals. Preparing ...

May 26, 2009 3 Comments Michael Nugent

Join the Church of Dermotology

On Wednesday 20 May 2009, speaking at a parliamentary Justice Committee debating his new blasphemy law, Dermot Ahern joked that people were making blasphemous comments about him, and he compared his own purity to that of the baby Jesus. In response, on Monday 25 May 2009, at a crowded public ...