The Irish government plans to bring into force a new law in October that critics say is a return to medieval justice.

The legislation, aimed at providing judges with clear direction on the 1937 Constitution's blasphemy prohibition, imposes a fine of up to 25,000 euros - about $39,000 - for anyone who "publishes or utters matter that is (intentionally meant to be) grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion, thereby causing outrage among a substantial number of the adherents of that religion."

Police with a search warrant will be able to enter private premises and use "reasonable force" to obtain incriminating evidence.

it's not so medieval that they aren't requiring a judge to issue a warrant first.

Sure but a huge amount of people link law with morality or at least sensibility. The majority of people think that usually, with a few exceptions, laws have good reasons for being there. So to those people, their government is saying to them "you can no longer say what you want to say, you must censor yourself in order to save people from the horrible fate of being offended".
I would expect this kind of crap in America, but Ireland? Come on.

actually, the law might make more sense if you consider that ireland has had so much violence stemming from religious conflict. such a law might help prevent some of that.

abraham lincoln made a brilliant observation about why we shouldn't legislate morality. i'll see if i can't find it for you. my friend jack herer, includes it in his book "the emperor wears no clothes" which is a history of marijuana and marijuana prohibition.