Boyle challenges blasphemy change

PLANS to change blasphemy laws could face a challenge from the junior partner in Government, the Green Party, who questioned the need for the measures in “a more diverse world”.

Senator Dan Boyle issued a statement yesterday to “challenge the need” for a change of law which the Government claims is essential because there is no crime of blasphemy on the statute books while it is prohibited by the Constitution.

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern said he intends to bring in the crime of blasphemous libel as an amendment to the Defamation Bill.