Ireland to vote on removal of blasphemy law last used in 1855

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Once staunchly Catholic Ireland will hold a referendum to remove the crime of blasphemy from its constitution, an offence now punishable by a fine of up to 25,000 euros ($31,600) (19,582 pound) but which has probably not been prosecuted since the 19th century.

The Roman Catholic Church's public influence has been on the wane in Ireland since the 1980s, particularly after a string of child sex abuse scandals.