Stephen John Fry, an English comedian, is investigated for alleged blasphemy in the Republic of Ireland after a claim was made by a viewer saying that Fry's comments on TV were blasphemous.
If found guilty, Fry could be charged with a criminal offence under Defamation Act.
In the Republic of Ireland blasphemy is prohibited, or to be more specific, banning blasphemy is actually mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland. The law prohibits people from publicising "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".
What did Stephen Fry say? He simply asked why he should "respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world.... full of injustice". He also added that "the god who created this universe, if it was created by god, is quite clearly a maniac, an utter maniac, totally selfish". So either god's a maniac, or god does not exist.
He said that when he appeared on The Meaning of Life back in February 2015. The complaint to police was made the same month, and now, two years later, the case is back on and police is said to be looking into the complaint.
The penalty for blasphemy in Ireland carries a maximum penalty of £22,000.
While it's not very likely that Fry will be prosecuted, considering no publicised cases of blasphemy have been brought before court sine the introduction of the law in 2009, should it happen, it could be considered to big blow to even the idea of free speech in the otherwise beautiful country of Ireland.
If found guilty, Fry could be charged with a criminal offence under Defamation Act.
In the Republic of Ireland blasphemy is prohibited, or to be more specific, banning blasphemy is actually mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland. The law prohibits people from publicising "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".
What did Stephen Fry say? He simply asked why he should "respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world.... full of injustice". He also added that "the god who created this universe, if it was created by god, is quite clearly a maniac, an utter maniac, totally selfish". So either god's a maniac, or god does not exist.
He said that when he appeared on The Meaning of Life back in February 2015. The complaint to police was made the same month, and now, two years later, the case is back on and police is said to be looking into the complaint.
The penalty for blasphemy in Ireland carries a maximum penalty of £22,000.
While it's not very likely that Fry will be prosecuted, considering no publicised cases of blasphemy have been brought before court sine the introduction of the law in 2009, should it happen, it could be considered to big blow to even the idea of free speech in the otherwise beautiful country of Ireland.
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