Blasphemy vote set for October 26

Stephen Fry THE referendum on blasphemy will take place on October 26 – the same day as the presidential election.

Voters will be asked whether the offence should be removed from the constitution.

The issue rose to prominence last year when a complaint was made over actor Stephen Fry making critical comments about God in an RTE interview.

It led to a criminal investigation, although no prosecution was brought.

An amendment seeking to remove the reference of blasphemy from the constitution has passed all stages in the Seanad.

The Defamation Act 2009 made it a crime punishable by a €25,000 fine.