President signs Criminal Justice and Blasphemy bills into law

[femmefatale]

Not when it comes to putting Al Jazeera wide on the threats of Atheist Ireland to commit an act of blasphemy, who, in turn, are unlikely to turn down a juicy news story.

Are you trying to suggest that the news network purposefully foment controversy and Muslim protest?

[The Caped Cod]

Are you trying to suggest that the news network purposefully foment controversy and Muslim protest?

Would it surprise you that a news network might do that?

[The Riddler]

Another poster posted this on another thread

Last night at Pantibar, it was make and do night. This involves been making artwork out of mala based on the theme of the night. The best one wins a bottle of vodka.

Last night's theme was blasphemy. Threre were many entries. The top three were plasticine modles of the following:

in third place was Jesus Sexually assaulting Brenda Power in the anus with a giant crucifix

In second place was the corpse of Mother Teresa rubbing her vagina off the virgin mary tree stump in County Limerick.

And in first place was the profit Mohhamud recieving anal sex from two pigs at the same time while performing oral sex on another pig.

And yet there wasn't a single fine issued to anyone. I am led to believe that this new law is entirely unenforcable. Does it mean that every protestant in the country must be fined for saying that Mary wasn't a virgin (which is blasphemy according to the Roman Cathloic Church). Does it mean we have to fine people who drink on Good Friday? Where does it end?

I would encourage everyone to disregard this ridiculous law

http://www.politics.ie/1870221-post1.html

Well cgcsb2 if that painting of Muhammed is still there,
Please get a picture of it and post it on this site for all to see it

[femmefatale]

Would it surprise you that a news network might do that?

Yes it would. Would it not surprise you?

[iartaoiseach]

Yes it would. Would it not surprise you?

you ever watch sky news? or Fox news?

[femmefatale]

you ever watch sky news? or Fox news?

I have, yes. While they do peddle crude sensationalism and can feign or feed off outrage, I would not accuse them of deliberately fomenting protest. I wouldn't accuse Al Jazeera of it either.

[Seán E. Ryan]

For Corelli:

Howdy Corelli. I'm not doubting what you've said regarding private prosecutions in this matter. I'm just having problems getting my head around it and I don't have the resources that you have, to fix myself.

My understanding of private prosecutions up to the point of your post was that anyone could bring a private prosecution for any criminal offence. For example, a section 2 assault. I believed that where this right to prosecute was ceded, was in the event of an offence that would be tried in a higher court than the District Court, where it becomes the DPP's duty to take over the prosecution.

Would you mind elaborating a bit or providing a link, if you know of one?

Thanks.

[Trampas]

The President, Mary McAleese has this morning signed the Criminal Justice and Blasphemy bills into law.

Many suspected the likelyhood of the President announcing this afternoon whether or not she would refer either (or both) of the bills to the Supreme Court, having convened the Council of State last night to consult her on whether the bills were constitutional.

However, this morning RTE reported on their 10am news bulletin that the President had in fact signed the bills.

RTÉ News: President signs two bills into law

.....accompanied no doubt by a great big "Phew ! " from the learned members of the Supreme Court who would have had to deliver their ruling within 40 days thus ruining their summer holiday plans.

[The Riddler]

Bruno star Sacha Baron Cohen gets death threats from Islamic terrorists - News & Gossip, Entertainment - Independent.ie

Well well this blasphemy law could very wel encourage death threats here as well only time will tell

[corelli]

For Corelli:

Howdy Corelli. I'm not doubting what you've said regarding private prosecutions in this matter. I'm just having problems getting my head around it and I don't have the resources that you have, to fix myself.

My understanding of private prosecutions up to the point of your post was that anyone could bring a private prosecution for any criminal offence. For example, a section 2 assault. I believed that where this right to prosecute was ceded, was in the event of an offence that would be tried in a higher court than the District Court, where it becomes the DPP's duty to take over the prosecution.

Would you mind elaborating a bit or providing a link, if you know of one?

Thanks.

The only link is to my rather simple mind, one is afraid.

The general rule with private prosecutions is that you can privately prosecute any offense triable summarily, that is any offense triable ONLY in the District Court. If an offense is triable either summarily or on indictment, either in the District Court OR a higher court, or on indictment only, the Circuit Court or above, then the DPP has to consent to the prosecution and prosecute it on your behalf. It used to be that the AG could give his "Fiat" and you could continue the prosecution of indictable offenses, but that is no longer.

This legislation actually prevents the private prosecution of blasphemy offenses as the offense is only triable on indictment.