Blasphemous Libel - Waterford Public Meeting

[Free Speech IE]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster...

I was absolutely gobsmacked when Ahern came out with his proposal re the blasphemous libel legislation. I am currently involved in trying to bring together like-minded people to fight the proposal. A group of us are hosting a public meeting in Waterford this Thursday, 21st May. Further meetings across the country are to follow. If anybody from the legal profession is interested in speaking at the Waterford event, please get in touch. The details are as follows:

BLASPHEMY IS A VICTIMLESS CRIME

PUBLIC MEETING

VENUE: THE TOWER HOTEL, WATERFORD CITY
DATE: THURSDAY 21st MAY
TIME: 8 -10pm


A public meeting will be held in The Tower Hotel, Waterford City, to oppose the Government’s proposed revival of the blasphemy laws.

The meeting was planned on a new Irish website - blasphemy.ie - which also includes examples of material that could become illegal if the new law is passed.

The Waterford meeting is the first of several to be held around the country, organised by Atheist Ireland, an advocacy group for an ethical and secular Ireland.

Speakers will include:

Michael Nugent, chair of Atheist Ireland and co-author of I Keano



Other speakers to be confirmed.


Local politicians will be invited, including Deputy Brendan Kenneally, Chairman of the Select Joint Committee for Justice, as will Deputy Brian O'Shea, also a member of said committee.

“Most Irish people, regardless of their religious beliefs, do not want this law to be passed” said Barry Grant. “This meeting will give Waterford people an opportunity to voice their opinions.”

Further information:

blasphemyireland@gmail.com

Campaign website: blasphemy.ie

[Andrew49]

What is the actual origin of the Blaa?

A Waterford pilgrim (whose name has been lost through time) was travelling through the holy land circa 33AD and after many adventures and misadventures it just so happened he ended up in Jerusalem on the night before our Lord was crucified.

Tired and hungry from all his travels, he came upon an inn where a small feast was taking place. Being a stranger and with scarcely a few shekels to his name, he decided to gatecrash the party and hid behind a curtain while the bread was being divided.

Craftily, he slid one hand out from his hiding place and grabbed a piece of bread. Peter, one of the guests (he wasn’t a saint yet), saw him, grabbed his hand and with an almighty roar declared “THAT’S BLASPHEMY” to which the Déise boy responded “go way out of it, boy, that BLAA’S FER ME,” and ran from the room with the sacred bread wrapped up in his blue and white shirt.

On returning to his native Deise, he did his best to reproduce that bread and the closest thing he got to it was today’s famous Waterford BLAA, and that’s the truth!!!

The origin of the Blaa is just one of many Waterford sayings and phrases explained ‘The Deise Dictionary Tew’ by Waterford’s Cian Foley, founder of Index | Waterford UpTheDeise.com.

It is a little storehouse of hilarious information

Munster Express

[femmefatale]

Did you see the blasphemous libel thread, under "Justice" in the forum? Reanimate that one at your peril!

[Christine Murray]

good to see, do keep us readers posted on further meetings.

[imokyrok]

Anyone getting a scintilla of opinion from FF candidates on the issue or are they all doing their usual borg routine?

[Andrew49]

Anyone getting a scintilla of opinion from FF candidates on the issue or are they all doing their usual borg routine?

No house calls in my area yet from them - nor leaflets. Sinn Fein, Fine Gael, Workers Party, Independents have all arrived but no FFailers.