FF lashes out at RTE over news report on Cowen painting prank

[lostexpectation]

what about the gallery they got the police involved

[swansandtyphus]

If Brian Cowen had any sense he should have got himself photographed with the painting and laughed it off.

The involvement of the Gardai now reminds me of the controversy when a Tennesse Williams play back in the 1950's apparently required a plainclothes man to attend in the audience in case at a particular point in the play an actor produced a condom.
In fact the condom was replaced with a letter that was dropped on the stage.
Another incident involved the disappearence of the head of Lord Nelson from among the rubble of the pillar after it was blown down in 1966.
Huge dragnet failed to recover the head which turned up on an album cover of The Dubliners.
Apparently at one point an art dealer from London was threatened with extradition and a long jail sentence over the controversy.

You just can't make it up.

[Stíofán]

Can anyone tell me what the crime is?

I really can't see how the gardai wish to prosecute against this artist-cum-teacher..

[He3]

criminal damage - to wit placing glue on wall to affix a painting

incitement - to what is not known, changing the government presumably

indecency - in lampooning our wise Leader.

[Stíofán]

criminal damage - to wit placing glue on wall to affix a painting

incitement - to what is not known, changing the government presumably

indecency - in lampooning our wise Leader.

I wasn't aware indecency was even on the statute books.

And one would have thought the law on incitement to hatred would be so tightly framed around race as to make a prosecution on the grounds of anything else nigh on impossible.

[Chrisco]

I wasn't aware indecency was even on the statute books.

And one would have thought the law on incitement to hatred would be so tightly framed around race as to make a prosecution on the grounds of anything else nigh on impossible.

Not at all: it is not a law against inciting racial hatred, it is a law against inciting hatred

It shall be an offence... if the written material, words, behaviour, visual images or sounds, as the case may be, are threatening, abusive or insulting and are intended or, having regard to all the circumstances, are likely to stir up hatred.

Prohibition of Incitement To Hatred Act, 1989

[greenwithirony]

Not at all: it is not a law against inciting racial hatred, it is a law against inciting hatred

It shall be an offence... if the written material, words, behaviour, visual images or sounds, as the case may be, are threatening, abusive or insulting and are intended or, having regard to all the circumstances, are likely to stir up hatred.

Prohibition of Incitement To Hatred Act, 1989

Does accepting a €1 million bonus & €28 million pension scheme when the economy's on its knees qualify?

[Chrisco]

Does accepting a €1 million bonus & €28 million pension scheme when the economy's on its knees qualify?

Make a complaint and let's see how quickly the Guards get around to investigating!

[Stíofán]

Not at all: it is not a law against inciting racial hatred, it is a law against inciting hatred



Prohibition of Incitement To Hatred Act, 1989

Has there ever been a prosecution that hasn't been race-related? Surely if interpreted so open-ended, Tommy Tiernan would be in the 'joy today.

[flavirostris]

Ó Neachtain, the government press secretary, claims he was on a solo run when he contacted RTÉ.

GOVERNMENT PRESS secretary Eoghan Ó Neachtain has said he did not consult the Taoiseach or anyone else before making a complaint to RTÉ about a news item relating to the hoax nude portraits.

A line which was accepted as Gospel by the cowed ones:

“... we got several calls of complaint about it, one of which was from Eoghan Ó Neachtain, who was not acting on the instruction of the Taoiseach or any other Minister,” says the station's spokesperson.

Cowen not consulted before complaint to RTE - The Irish Times - Thu, Mar 26, 2009

What a load of bull.
This is just more spin to make it sound as though Cowen himself had nothing to do with it.
The impression being created is that RTE backed down due to public outrage rather than direct intervention from the Taoiseach's office