Bare facts on nudity in Ireland exposed

UNDER last year’s Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, nudism is allowed as long as the person doesn’t intend ‘to cause fear, distress or alarm to another person’.

Despite this statute, Pat Gallagher, president of the Irish Naturist Association, says Ireland has much to do to catch up with countries such as France. However, he says Ireland is becoming accepting of naturists. Recently, Dún LaoghaireRathdown Council earmarked Hawk Cliff beach in Dalkey, as ‘naturist friendly’ – installing signs alerting visitors of the presence of nude bathers. But one local this week complained that the public beach ‘shouldn’t be hijacked by a few’.