![]() It is vital that the State does not stray into the censorship of Church sermons or unwittingly create a right not to be offended. "This case contains challenges to both the State and the Church. The Public Prosecution Service need to explain why this case was brought and assure everyone that this will not happen again. "However, until the law is changed or clear guidance is issued there will still be concern about further prosecution. Pastor McConnell received support from two unlikely sources: one from an Imam and one from one of Northern Ireland’s best known atheists.ĭr Al-Hussaini, a Muslim cleric from London, said he did not agree with what the pastor said but defended his right to say it.īoyd Sleator, chairman of Atheist NI, said that although the pastor's words lacked "sense or reasoning", society at large should not criminalise things simply because some people find them offensive.Ĭommenting on the acquittal of Pastor McConnell, Peter Lynas, national director of the Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, said: "Today's verdict is a victory for common sense and freedom of speech. The Public Prosecution Service said in a statement: "It is clear from the judgement that the court considered Pastor McConnell had a case to answer and that the decision on whether the comment was offensive or grossly offensive was not only finely balanced but one for the court and the court alone to take." It is not the task of the criminal law to censor offensive utterances." ![]() Delivering his verdict, District Judge Liam McNally said: "The courts need to be very careful not to criminalise speech which, however contemptible, is no more than offensive. ![]()
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