Gardaí launch blasphemy probe into Stephen Fry

Heckler · 06-05-2017 12:57PM

anna080 wrote: »

I'd wager that the complaint was made with the intention to highlight how ludicrous the law is.

I hope so.

06-05-2017 12:57PM

frozenfrozen wrote: »

If you wanted anything to actually be done the only way to approach it would be to complain through the proper channels to the broadcaster.

The blasphemy law can't do anything itself but it can when broadcasters are required to follow it because it exists...

Blasphemy is a criminal matter in this country thanks to the 2009 act. The Guards are the proper people to report it to.

spacetweek · 06-05-2017 01:02PM

Looks like classic trolling.
I hadn't forgotten about the promise to remove blasphemy from the constitution, am annoyed it's been forgotten by the government.

FunLover18 · 06-05-2017 01:07PM

The_Valeyard wrote:

Why was the complaint now and not back when it aired? Something smells fishy about this.

The complaint was made in 2015 when the programme aired. The complainant wrote to Garda commissioner in 2016 to see what was happening and received a call in 2017 from a detective in Donnybrook.

maudgonner wrote:

Yup, definitely sounds like a test case, in which case fair play. AFAIR the government promised to look at having a referendum on abolishing this from the constitution, so this might get the ball rolling on that.

The trouble is that the law states that the comments must have been made with the intent of causing offence or outrage. One may think Fry's a pompous ass but what he said was clearly his sincere opinion. Add to that that the complainant wasn't even offended, I can't see this going to court.

gramar · 06-05-2017 01:08PM

“publishing or uttering [of] matter that is grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred by any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion”

One complaint and the complainant themselves admits to not being offended just reporting a crime.

"The viewer insisted that he wasn’t offended by the remarks but stressed that he believed Mr Fry’s
comments qualified as blasphemy under the law"

So it would appear that no law has been broken.

namloc1980 · 06-05-2017 01:08PM

py2006 wrote: »

.......on 'The Meaning of Life'

No, this isn't a new episode of FATHER TED. This is real!

The article is here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo

Gaybo's face in that video is priceless!

expectationlost · 06-05-2017 01:11PM

frozenfrozen wrote: »

If you wanted anything to actually be done the only way to approach it would be to complain through the proper channels to the broadcaster.

The blasphemy law can't do anything itself but it can when broadcasters are required to follow it because it exists...

where does it say in the blasphmey law that they have to complain to RTE first?

seamus · 06-05-2017 01:13PM

Heckler wrote: »

I truly despair for this world as it is and the utter stupid ***** who populate it.

You can't breathe and someones down yer neck.

If you're born with a dick and balls you're male. If you're born with a vagina you're female. Thats it. Gender this gender that. Fluidity bull****.

I don't care if you "identify as an Insert Male/Female/ Baboon". Get over it.

****ing assholes.

Just a hunch, but maybe, just maybe, I think you might have some issues there fella.

vicwatson · 06-05-2017 01:22PM

Is there anything to be said for another mass?

frag420 · 06-05-2017 01:22PM

Ok we get that you don't have time for people different from yourself but why finish your rant by including your favourite hobby??

I just hope you go gentle on those àssholes...lube up at least!

Heckler wrote: »

I truly despair for this world as it is and the utter stupid ***** who populate it.

You can't breathe and someones down yer neck.

If you're born with a dick and balls you're male. If you're born with a vagina you're female. Thats it. Gender this gender that. Fluidity bull****.

I don't care if you "identify as an Insert Male/Female/ Baboon". Get over it.

****ing assholes.

Sterling Archer · 06-05-2017 01:28PM

"Lads lads, I got locked the other night and reported Stephen fry for that oul Blasphemy law, some craic hai"

Ted Plain · 06-05-2017 02:08PM

suicide_circus wrote: »

Blasphemy is one of life's great pleasures. The fact that they've made it illegal here to pacify the zealots just adds extra relish. I recommend starting the day with a cup of coffee and a series of colourful blasphemous outbursts.

Whilst fornicating.

Fornicating while blaspheming and blaspheming while fornicating. Coffee afterwards.

ricero · 06-05-2017 02:18PM

Hopefully this knocks Fry's ego down a peg or two

Free-2-Flow · 06-05-2017 02:22PM

ricero wrote:

Hopefully this knocks Fry's ego down a peg or two

Seriously?

Christy42 · 06-05-2017 02:24PM

ricero wrote: »

Hopefully this knocks Fry's ego down a peg or two

I think it just makes Ireland a joke. I doubt Fry cares much either way. Nor should he really. Some backwards bumpkin law might have been broke by him over the possibility of some fine just in case some snowflake got offended? Or an atheist using it to remove said silly law in which case he probably supports the effort.

Stephen Fry was right in what he said btw. Plenty do seem to love their catholic laws

blinding · 06-05-2017 02:54PM

Is this an ecumenical matter....Anyway Holy fooking jaysus.....

CeilingFly · 06-05-2017 02:59PM

Why do people believe everything published in the media.

Independent is known for having several BS stories in storage for slow news days - especially weekends.

Its hardly "breaking" news - the complaint was made 2 years ago.

Its not an exclusive - its such a non story no other media would take it up.

A crank has made a complaint, unfortunately gardai have to follow up. It will go no further. Non story.

Sensationalist sh1te from indo as usual.

theoneeyedman · 06-05-2017 03:04PM

CeilingFly wrote: »

Why do people believe everything published in the media.

Independent is known for having several BS stories in storage for slow news days - especially weekends.

Its hardly "breaking" news - the complaint was made 2 years ago.

Its not an exclusive - its such a non story no other media would take it up.

A crank has made a complaint, unfortunately gardai have to follow up. It will go no further. Non story.

Sensationalist sh1te from indo as usual.

Absolutely.
BTW, why do Gardai have to follow up? I know there is politics at play here, but have they no discretion? Do they not prioritise? Could they not say 'we'll look into it when we solve all the burglary cases etc.' Are there not laws that are just not enforced, you know like banking regulations, fraud etc.

06-05-2017 03:15PM

"I'm issuing a restraining order; religion must stay 500 feet away from science at all all times"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg0a7aXUXvw

Academic · 06-05-2017 03:18PM

It’s deeply embarrassing that a western democracy has such a Taliban-esque law at all. Unbelievable.

Heckler · 06-05-2017 03:25PM

frag420 wrote: »

Ok we get that you don't have time for people different from yourself but why finish your rant by including your favourite hobby??

I just hope you go gentle on those ?ssholes...lube up at least!

If you took a minute to read my post you'd see that I have plenty of time for all sorts just that I couldn't give a **** how they identify. And your little jibe at the end was pretty pathetic.

Erik Shin · 06-05-2017 03:26PM

endacl wrote: »

Blasphemy. The only truly victimless crime.

You sir are a god amongst men!

Heckler · 06-05-2017 03:27PM

seamus wrote: »

Just a hunch, but maybe, just maybe, I think you might have some issues there fella.

And what would they be Dr. Freud ?

Erik Shin · 06-05-2017 03:31PM

Heckler wrote: »

And what would they be Dr. Freud ?

"think Dr Seuss could diagnose you
And perhaps, maybe cure you too!
For you have a little issue
Don't cry, here's a tissue,
Think he'll have a little punt
And guess, that you're a" .......

Anyway, hope everyone is having a great day!

Heckler · 06-05-2017 03:33PM

I have an issue with attention seeking idiots drumming up a storm on social media by claiming they're human rights are being violated because there isn't a gender neutral toilet on a ****ing ferry.

Goddamn idiots.

Wompa1 · 06-05-2017 04:00PM

"The garda then took a formal written statement from me in which I quoted Fry’s comments in detail. This written statement mentioned both Fry and RTÉ specifically."

Can somebody drop into the Ennis Garda Station to file a complaint about his complaint? Why did he have to quote him in detail? Could have pointed them to the interview. God hating scumbag!

Phoebas · 06-05-2017 04:04PM

CeilingFly wrote: »

Why do people believe everything published in the media.

Independent is known for having several BS stories in storage for slow news days - especially weekends.

Its hardly "breaking" news - the complaint was made 2 years ago.

Its not an exclusive - its such a non story no other media would take it up.

A crank has made a complaint, unfortunately gardai have to follow up. It will go no further. Non story.

Sensationalist sh1te from indo as usual.

It was also reported by RTE, Newstalk, the Mirror and the Sun .

Edit: And the BBC.

ziggy · 06-05-2017 04:29PM

This post has been deleted.

ButtersSuki · 06-05-2017 04:34PM

I bet it was Joe Duffy. He's fond of describing things as potentially being blasphemous.

furiousox · 06-05-2017 04:52PM

"Ireland is the only country in the developed world to have introduced a blasphemy law this century."

Well of course it is, because it's run by gombeen county councillors.
We've so moved on from the dark days when 'Life of Brian' was banned and deemed blasphemeous. :rolleyes:
Two things I am so glad I've have opted out of, religion and politics.

Gardaí launch blasphemy probe into Stephen Fry

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