The Offences Against the State Act, first enacted in Ireland by the De Valera government in 1939 and subject to periodic amendment since that time, has been regularly criticised by the United Nations and bodies such as Amnesty International and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
In August 2003 when the Celtic League held its AGM at Áras na Comghála. Kildare Street, Dublin we adopted a resolution calling for the provisions of OASA to be rescinded (see text below):
“This AGM:
Expresses concern that the Irish government, which is ostensibly committed to International Human Rights principles, continues to maintain on its statutes the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act.”
As League General Secretary I was charged with implementation of the resolution as and GS and later DOI of the League I have raised concerns about its periodic renewal. Most recently as AGS in June 2021:
https://www.celticleague.net/…/ireland-oasa-set-for…/
An integral part of the OASA legislation and the one that has drawn most criticism is the operation of the non-jury Special Criminal Court. In this video the Irish socialist commentator James O’Toole sets out some of the background and why the Court should be opposed and scrapped:
https://www.facebook.com/RebelTelly/videos/604434104235745
Related link (Carn 2003 contains AGM report):
https://www.celticleague.net/…/Carn%20123%20Autumn…
Bernard Moffatt
Assistant General Secretary Celtic League (7th November 2021)
