Freedom to express an opinion is one of the rights guaranteed in the Constitution. Courts have interpreted that right to include statements that may be disagreeable, disturbing, and even offensive to others. Up to last week’s referendum, that right, or liberty, was tempered by a provision that declared blasphemy an exception.

Over four years, EU countries almost doubled the number of requests for data under the legislation that was yesterday struck down by the European Court of Justice.

Digital rights campaigners have hailed the decision by the European Court of Justice to throw out the Data Retention Directive — opening the way for a new challenge to Irish laws on the retention of personal data records here.

The EU's laws on electronic surveillance have been struck down by its highest court - following a challenge from an Irish lobby group.