European court to rule on challenge to Irish president’s religious oath
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The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) will rule this week on a challenge to the religious language contained in declarations required to take up the office of president of Ireland.
A group of five Irish politicians – Róisín Shortall, John Brady, Fergus Finlay, David McConnell and David Norris – argue that the requirements of the Irish Constitution breach their Article 9 rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Each of the applicants claim that, owing to their political careers and prominence in public life, they could aspire to election to the presidency or be invited to serve on the Council of State, but that the religious elements of the declarations required under Articles 12.8 and 3.14 of the Constitution are contrary to their beliefs.
They argue that they would either be prevented from taking up these offices, or required to make a religious declaration against their conscience.
The European Court of Human Rights will issue its ruling in Shortall and Others v. Ireland on Thursday morning.
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