Sorry, this will not be long but here a couple of links to the new blasphemy law in Ireland. I searched here but did not find this issue. Let me know if this is old news. There are more links out there. Have not seen it on BBC.
Ireland has adopted a new law which has been in debate for several years. The law makes blasphemy illegal. The maximum fine, as amended, is 25,000 Euros or at the current exchange rate, $34,977 USD. The law also gives the police authority to confiscate blasphemous materials.
Link to actual wording of original bill:
Other links:
Welcome to the New Middle Ages.
Deleted link to Facebook blog Deleted link to PrisonPlanet
Original Bill Text (Fine amount amended to 25,000 Euros):
[First list of additional amendments - containing substitute amendments.]
DÁIL ÉIREANN
AN BILLE UM CHLÚMHILLEADH 2006 —ROGHCHOISTE
DEFAMATION BILL 2006 —SELECT COMMITTEE
Leasuithe Breise agus Ionadacha Additional and Substitute Amendments
SECTION 34 38a. In page 26, line 3, to delete “criminal” and substitute “defamatory”. —An tAire Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí.
SECTION 35
- In page 26, before section 35, but in Part 5, to insert the following new section:
35.—(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. (2) For the purposes of this section, a person publishes or utters blasphemous matter if— (a) he or she publishes or utters matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion, and (b) he or she intends, by the publication or utterance of the matter concerned, to cause such outrage. (3) It shall be a defence to proceedings for an offence under this section for the defendant to prove that a reasonable person would find genuine literary, artistic, political, scientific, or academic value in the matter to which the offence relates.”. —An tAire Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí.
[This amendment is in substitution for amendment No. 40 on the principal list of amendments dated 28th April 2009.]
- In page 26, before section 35, but in Part 5, to insert the following new section:
36.—(1) Where a person is convicted of an offence under section 35*, the court may issue a warrant—
[No. 43b of 2006] [14 May, 2009]
“Publication or utterance of blasphemous matter. “Seizure of copies of blasphemous statements. [ SECTION 35 ] (a) authorising any member of the Garda Síochána 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, (b) directing the seizure and removal by any member of the Garda Síochána of all copies of the statement to which the offence related that are in the possession of any person, (c) specifying the manner in which copies so seized and removed shall be detained and stored by the Garda Síochána. (2) A member of the Garda Síochána may— (a) enter and search any premises, (b) seize, remove and detain any copy of a statement to which an offence under section 35* relates found therein or in the possession of any person, in accordance with a warrant under subsection (1). (3) Upon final judgment being given in proceedings for an offence under section 35*, anything seized and removed under subsection (2) shall be disposed of in accordance with such directions as the court may give upon an application by a member of the Garda Síochána in that behalf. —An tAire Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí.
[*Note: This is the appropriate reference if amendment No. 40 is accepted]
[This amendment is in substitution for amendment No. 41 on the principal list of amendments dated 28th April 2009.] 2
UPDATE: Thanks for the helpful input on my low-fat diary. Will attempt at having my info together before posting items in the future.