Steven Fry under investigation in Ireland for blasphemy

http://ift.tt/2plLPXx

Quote:

GARDAI have launched an investigation after a TV viewer claimed comments made by Stephen Fry on an RTE show were blasphemous. Independent.ie can reveal that a member of the public reported the allegation to Ennis garda Station following a broadcast of ‘The Meaning of Life’, hosted by Gay Byrne, in February 2015. Gardaí in Donnybrook have recently contacted the man who made the report and a senior source revealed a full investigation is now due to be carried out. Under the Defamation Act 2009 a person who publishes or utters blasphemous material "shall be guilty of an offence". They are be liable upon conviction on indictment to a fine not exceeding €25,000.

It's worth noting that "a well-placed source" is quoted as saying that a prosecution is unlikely. It's also worth noting that Atheist Ireland have welcomed the investigation as they believe it's a step closer to getting the law repealed.

via International Skeptics Forum http://ift.tt/2qOKIjr