Repeal set for 3,200 archaic colonial laws

JEWISH people will be legally allowed to buy armour for the first time in Ireland since the 12th Century when thousands of archaic colonial laws are swept away, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern signalled last night.

The anti-semitic bar is one of 3,200 laws passed between the Norman invasion in 1169 and the 1800 Act of Union which remained on the statute books after independence in 1922.

Suspected thieves will no longer face the possibility of being subject to trial by having a millstone placed around their necks, thrown in the river and proved guilty if they sink, either.

Another racist law dating from the 12th Century allowing for Frenchmen to face discriminatory taxes will also go in the shake-up.

The Statute Law Revision Bill 2007 will get rid of the legal hang-overs from British-domination in the second phase of a bid to repeal obsolete legislation.

The first phase saw an act passed to repeal 206 pieces of obsolete legislation that pre-dated the foundation of the State in 1922.

Mr Ahern said it was important to ensure the Republic was only subject to laws passed by the Oireachtas and not those introduced while Ireland was under foreign control.

Some 1,350 pre-independence laws will remain in place after the latest repeal, but these too face being swept away in the future when suitable alternatives are brought before the Oireachtas.

“It is important that we are governed by our own laws and statutes passed by the Oireachtas,” the Taoiseach said.

“The laws were passed by various parliaments sitting in Britain and Ireland from which the vast majority of the population was excluded. Most were passed during an era when women were not even allowed to vote. Many of these laws reflect prejudices which are not acceptable today — prejudices against foreigners, certain religions, women and minority groups,” he said.

The bill will repeal 70% of pre-independence laws.