Ireland’s blasphemy law must be struck out if we are a mature society

It is sad to think that Dr. Ali Selim’s attempt to stifle free speech - through threat of legal action against any Irish publication that reprints Charlie Hebdo’s front page depiction of the Prophet Muhammad – can currently be supported by our nation’s laws. 

This is evidence, if ever it were needed, that Ireland’s archaic and backward blasphemy law must be stricken from our constitution.

Thankfully, it is likely that the Irish public will be offered the chance to decide in 2015, through a referendum. Along with the vote on gay marriage, this referendum represents an opportunity to show that the principles, upon which Irish society is based, are no longer derived from superstition but rather from compassion and respect.