1st July 2025
The combined opposition parties will today introduce a Bill in the Dáil to expedite the provision of Disregards to those men convicted under Ireland’s anti-gay laws.
“The Private Members Bill being introduced today will, if passed, finally deliver the long-awaited legislation to address the historical injustices of convictions under Ireland’s anti-gay laws” said Kieran Rose of the LGBT Restorative Justice Campaign.
“We call on the Minister for Justice and the Government to support this Bill and to expedite it’s passage through the Oireachtas”
“The Government in 2018 recognised the unjustness of the laws that penalised and punished gay and bisexual men, provided a State apology and committed to introduce a process to disregard those convictions. But as yet there is no timeline for that legislation.”
“Time is running out for those men who wish to avail of a disregard scheme. Decriminalisation took place in 1993, thirty two years ago. Arrests and prosecutions were still taking place until very close to the change in law. Men affected by those arrests, prosecutions or convictions have been waiting at least 32 years to have the injustice perpetrated on them by the state addressed and disregarded.“
“We thank Deputy Aengus Snodaigh of Sinn Féin for introducing the Bill and very much appreciate the co-sponsoring of the Bill by Labour, Social Democrats, the Green Party, People Before Profit and independent TD Catherine Connolly. The Bill offers a real chance of accelerating progress on disregards, ensuring that those who want their names and records cleared can do so before it is too late” concluded Rose.
ENDS.
For further information contact:
LGBT+ Restorative Justice Campaign
The LGBT+ Restorative Justice Campaign seeks to commemorate and memorialise those who were directly impacted by the criminalising laws and to build a deeper understanding of the histories and lives of LGBT+ people and communities in Ireland over the century since independence with a restorative justice approach.
LGBT Disregard 