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Irish authorities launch investigation on Stephen Fry for blasphemous comment

Actor Stephen Fry arrives for the American Theatre Wing's 68th annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, June 8, 2014. | Reuters/Andrew Kelly/Files

Irish authorities have launched an investigation on British comedian Stephen Fry after he was accused of blasphemy due to the comments he made during a 2015 interview on the national TV channel RTE.

During an interview with Irish TV presenter Gay Byrne, Fry was asked what he would say if he was confronted by God.

"How dare you create a world in which there is such misery that is not our fault? It's not right. It's utterly, utterly evil. Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid God who creates a world which is so full of injustice and pain?" the comedian replied.

"I would say, 'Bone cancer in children? What's that about?' Because the God who created this universe, if it was created by God, is quite clearly a maniac, utter maniac. Totally selfish. We have to spend our life on our knees thanking him? What kind of God would do that?" he continued.

The footage of the interview went viral after it was aired and has now been viewed more than seven million times on YouTube.

According to The Telegraph, a citizen, who wished to remain anonymous contacted the police after Fry made the controversial remarks. The anonymous individual said that he felt that it was his "civic duty" to report the comments which he alleged were in breach of Ireland's Defamation Act.

The Defamation Act, which includes the offense of blasphemy, is punishable by a fine of 25,000 Euros or $27,500.

The individual who filed the complaint told the police that he had not been personally offended by the comedian's remark, and maintained that he is simply reporting a crime.

He said that he wrote to the head of the Irish police to follow up his report after nothing happened for 18 months.

The complainant said that he was recently contacted by the police after he followed up his complaint late last year.

After he was criticized on social media, Fry explained that he did not mention any particular religion and maintained that he did not intend to say anything offensive towards any particular faith.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Revd Justin Welby, has stated in 2015 that he supports Fry's right to criticize Christianity. He called on Christians not to attack the comedian for his views, saying he has the right to make his comments as much as Christians have the right to proclaim Jesus Christ.