It’s probably not a well-known fact that bulletproof vests have a use-by date, and that after that date passes, they cannot be trusted to stop a bullet. But it’s the absolute truth. This is because most bulletproof vests are made using Kevlar, which is a chemical compound like any other, and can degrade: “Like any […]
The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has confirmed the controversial commemoration of the RIC – who included the Black and Tans as constables – has been “deferred”. “I do not believe that the event, as planned, can now take place in an atmosphere that meets the goals and guiding principles of the overall commemorative programme,” […]
Over 17,000 people have signed a petition in 24 hours as anger grows at government plans to allegedly “commemorate the Black and Tans” as well as the RIC in Dublin Castle later this month. The controversy arose after a government announcement on January 1st confirmed that an official state commemoration for those who served in […]
The most striking aspect of Charlie Flanagan’s proposed “hate speech” legislation is the extraordinary alliance that has formed in its favour. As previous reports on Gript have shown it not only seemingly includes the entire “range” of parties within Leinster House, but everyone else from Pollyanna overseas charities to the “New IRA.” The latter, which […]
When someone declares we need new laws to restrict and curtail “hateful” opinions, the absolute least that person can do is make sure their own track record is squeaky-clean. Fine Gael’s Justice Minister, Charlie Flanagan, has been doing the rounds in recent months, insisting that Ireland should expand its current definition of “hate speech”. However, […]
When the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was being drafted in the late 1940s, it was the Soviet Union and its allies who argued against freedom of speech on the grounds that it would open the door to ‘hateful propaganda’. What they had in mind of course was the undermining of government power by the […]
The Department of Justice’ public consultation on reviewing the legislation on hate speech comes to a close on Friday the 13th. (You can make a submission or answer a survey here) No more suitable day for the shambles of a process that it has been. In parallel, the Irish Human Rights Commissioner Emily Logan stated […]
About once or twice a year, the Irish Government and a bunch of friendly NGOs head over to Geneva in Switzerland to report to the United Nations on Ireland’s “progress” in a range of human rights areas. This week, it was the turn of the UN Committee on Racial Discrimination (CERD). The last time Irish […]
Is Charlie Flanagan using ‘hate speech’ to clamp down on people’s right to criticise government policy on immigration, sex-education and more? #gript
Charlie Flanagan, the Minister for Justice, is doing a terrible job of balancing the needs of migrants and asylum seekers with the concerns of local communities. The sheer arrogance shown by his Department is extraordinary. They’ve refused to consult with locals before making high-handed announcements about direct provision centres opening in jig time, with everyone […]
On Thursday 24th October 2019, the Government launched a public consultation (the “Consultation”) on hate speech laws in Ireland. As part of this Consultation the Government confirmed their intention to consult with members of the public, academics and groups who have experienced hate speech either “personally or seen, read or heard” what they consider to […]
This weekend’s Sunday Times featured a chillingly authoritarian line from influential columnist Justine McCarthy, writing in frustration at events in Oughterard last week. Emphasis mine: “The people who repeat these mantras call themselves “the silent majority”. They are neither. They are, in fact, a minority in a country that has repeatedly shown itself to be […]