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UK: Teenager faces prosecution for calling Scientology 'cult'

  • 20-05-2008 02:51PM
    #1
    BaconZombie
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,814 ✭✭✭



    A teenager is facing prosecution for using the word "cult" to describe the Church of Scientology.

    The unnamed youth was served the summons by City of London police when he took part in a peaceful demonstration opposite the London headquarters of the controversial religion.

    Officers confiscated a placard with the word "cult" on it from the youth, who is under 18, and a case file has been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.

    ....
    Anonymous, who were outside the church's £23m headquarters near St Paul's cathedral, were banned by police from describing Scientology as a cult by police because it was "abusive and insulting".

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/20/1


    Does anybody know if a simaler this could happen in Ireland?


Comments

  • #2
    seamus
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,190 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    Depends on what the exact charges are. Do you have a link?


  • #3
    johnnyskeleton
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 14,566 Mod ✭✭✭✭johnnyskeleton


    There is a similar offence in Ireland under s.6 of the Public Order Act, 1994 regarding "Threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place".

    It is usually used for people who shout obscenities when on a drunken night out or people who expose their genitalia in public places, but I suppose it could be used to prevent such things. However, the prosecution would have to prove that the behaviour was insulting.


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