Historical convictions of gay men to be disregarded under new scheme

Eva Osborne

Gay and bisexual men will have their historical convictions relating to consensual same-sex activity disregarded under a new Government scheme.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan secured Government approval for amendments to the Bill to enable the disregard of certain historical convictions relating to consensual same-sex activity, as committed to in the Programme for Government.

The Department of Justice said this will operate as an application-based scheme.

Minister O’Callaghan said: “The Victorian-era laws that criminalised consensual sexual activity between men are now rightly recognised as a historical injustice.

"I am extremely pleased that the Government has agreed to my proposals for a statutory disregard scheme which seeks to acknowledge this injustice and to address meaningfully some of the harm caused to affected gay men, as well as their families and friends, during the period of criminalisation.”

The Labour Party said it warmly welcomed the announcement by the Government on Wednesday, stating that the decision marks a "historic leap forward in addressing one of the most profound injustices experienced by LGBTQ+ people in Ireland".

Speaking on behalf of Labour LGBTQ+, Joshua Ellul, said: “Today’s decision is a powerful affirmation of Ireland’s commitment to equality and restorative justice.

"The Labour Party has stood with LGBTQ+ people through every step of this journey, and we are proud that decades of advocacy, legislative leadership, and principled politics have brought us to this moment.

"A disregard scheme will offer dignity, recognition, and practical justice to those who suffered under laws that should never have existed.”