Slapping outlawed as final defence removed
The move to abolish the justification of ‘reasonable chastisement’ means Ireland has become the 20th EU member state, and 47th country, to outlaw physical punishment, either directly by outright ban, or indirectly, as in this case.
The change will take effect when the Children First Bill becomes law, as it cannot be applied retrospectively, but that is expected to happen within months.
