This is probably aimed at keeping the orange order, and their stupid marches, north of the border?

Posted by Edward | 24.07.09, 16:52 GMT

Edward

you do realise this happens every year

"A peaceful Orange Order parade is held each year in Rossnowlagh, usually on the Saturday before 12th of July. The number of participants and marching bands varies each year with most marchers coming from order lodges based in Northern Ireland but some come from other areas in Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan. There is no lodge in Rossnowlagh. The participants begin near St John's Church and march for approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) into the centre of Rossnowlagh, where they congregate for some time. The marchers march back to St John's church area in the late afternoon."

Posted by Whoops | 28.07.09, 15:38 GMT

This is a BAD law. What is needed is a law of true seperation of CHURCH & STATE.

Posted by phl | 25.07.09, 14:44 GMT

A complete and utter infringement on freedom of speech.

"If you do not believe in freedom of speech for someone you despise, then you do not believe in it at all"

Posted by Dr. Voodoo | 25.07.09, 14:32 GMT

This is bull i dont think its a way to solve our money problem ,putting a fence around the border would do that ,so we have to shop at home, why do so many people up there bask in the fact that we have money problems, its a World recession and believe it or not the UK is having problems to wasting cash on moats and boats and there snotty children who wants a new car,gives us a break ,after alll we earned our own money,not by the draining of other countries like india and africa.

were a young nation we will progress, oh by the way burning statues of mary is a bit dark aged dont you think,,but oh no were the backward country years behind lol, even though its lawful to burn our flag on your bonfires, its unlawful to burn the union jack here ,its about equality for all people here and they have a right not to be offended by anyone regardless of who they are , ,IGNORENCE you have nothing that we dont have except for bigotry and hatred

Posted by Wake Up Your in Europe | 25.07.09, 00:04 GMT

What would jesus do? Sue apparently

Posted by Conor | 24.07.09, 22:59 GMT

This is yet another sop to multi-culturalism from the 'fáillteorí' in Dáil Éireann. More specifically, the left-wing balloons of Fianna Fáil (now known as Fianna Failure) who have pandered to a tiny minority of immigrant academics who have persuaded the incumbents that such medieval legislation will endear them more-so to the left-wing loonies of the EU. What is wrong with the good people of the Republic? Will they stand for this 6th Century nonsense? Probably. Alas, there is more fight in a dead dog.

Posted by ShredEmAll | 24.07.09, 22:53 GMT

Just when I thought the Irish Republic had finally pulled itself into the Twentieth Century, its politicians decide to retreat a few centuries. In trying to to explain how inept such a law is, I just don't know where to begin!

Posted by Marty | 24.07.09, 18:42 GMT

This is probably aimed at keeping the orange order, and their stupid marches, north of the border?

Posted by Edward | 24.07.09, 16:52 GMT

I think I may have been censored again. OK, lets try this wording:-

This story is just an example of what Ireland is all about. Ireland is still a backward and dangerous theocracy. How could anyone in their right mind pass a law like this in today's day and age? It is time that the people of Ireland broke the shackles of religion and left it behind once and for all.

The power of the church/religion in Ireland was very evident as a result of the Child Sex Abuse Scandal perpetrated by members of the Roman Catholic church. People allowed children to be abused because they were AFRAID to do anything about it. The church IS the power in Ireland.

As for a United Ireland? After reading this, I think it will be a long, hard journey to convince people that it would be the right thing to do.

You may not know this - in 1974, the Irish Government lifted it's ban on it's female employees getting married. 1974!! A BAN on getting married!! They have come a long way, but not far enough.

Posted by Will Hawkes | 24.07.09, 16:45 GMT

Yes, Steven73, and I wonder where it would put the Orange Order as well.
Stupid law.
Funny how a person can be accepted as sane when they say "I heard the Word of God" yet if they say "The dog told me to do it" they are carted of to the looney-bin. The dog is not a figment of someone's imagination.
Only joking. Wouldn't want to get caught blaspheming. There's a word a lot of people don't use everyday.

Posted by Ulysses32 | 24.07.09, 16:13 GMT

Steven73, I'm sure you are quite the bundle of fun down the pub.

Posted by Michael | 24.07.09, 15:58 GMT

The Gvt should oulaw all religions

Posted by john e a smythe | 24.07.09, 15:19 GMT

This law is silly but Europe (Ireland's part of Europe is it not?) is going over to Islam due to collapsed native birth rates and a massive influx of Muslim immigrants ( who dont have an issue with procreation ) and we saw those ridiculous riots over some dopey cartoons a few years ago so perhaps the Irish government feels its hands are tied.

To Steven73: I dont think the law is retroactive, and truth be told Ms McAleese apologized profusely about those remarks and I do not believe subsequent actions by her make that apology insincere.

Posted by ChrisM | 24.07.09, 14:58 GMT

This new law is not just about Christianity. It will presumably stop Muslims calling teddy bears Jesus, although I believe it stops short of calling for such people to be beheaded or hurled from the highest mountain.

It is Ireland playing catch up with the Islamic world.

Posted by Thos | 24.07.09, 14:52 GMT

Steven 73: Get your facts right. President McAleese did not say that "Protestant schools in Northern Ireland taught their children to hate all Catholics...." Firstly, there are no "Protestant" schools in Northern Ireland. There are schools under Catholic management, undenominational schools (controlled schools and voluntary grammar schools), integrated schools and Irish-speaking schools. The President's reference to children being taught to hate Catholics clearly referred to influences in their lives (parents, peers, etc) other than their teachers. Where she went wrong was drawing an analogy with Nazis and Jews which totally undermined and diverted attention away from her otherwise perfectly valid point. In this context one remembers the young child among the protesters outside the Harryville church who, when asked why he was picketing a church replied: "it isn't a church, it's a fenian mass house." Do you think he reached that conclusion all by himself?

Posted by Terry | 24.07.09, 14:49 GMT

To Steven73

Remind me what part of the President's remarks were blasphemous.

You might've found it offensive, but this article is about Blasphemy, two different issues.
Go back to school.

Posted by Louise | 24.07.09, 14:43 GMT

JEHOVAH!

Posted by McD | 24.07.09, 14:17 GMT

So can President Mary McAleese be taken to court for stating that Protestant schools in Northern Ireland taught their children to hate all Catholics like the Nazi's were taught to hate Jews, because I found that statement and still do, very, very offensive.

This is such a stupid law, are athiest's not allowed to say that Jesus isn't the son of god or that they don't believe god exists, because that could be seen as blasphemy by Christians? But that is their right, that is their belief.

Posted by Steven73 | 24.07.09, 12:51 GMT

It never ceases to amaze me how "tolerant" atheism is of others, as displayed by the learned remarks below. Well done, to the Irish government for showing true equality.

Posted by David | 24.07.09, 12:47 GMT

does the Irish Govermnemt get to keep the money they fine? This might be one way for them to solve their money problems!

Posted by MM | 24.07.09, 12:41 GMT