Protests at Martin Scorsese Film, Cork City, Ireland 1988

Demonstrations greet screening of ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ at the Cork Film Festival.

There were protests at the screening of Martin Scorsese’s film ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ at the Cork Opera House. While those who had ignored the advice of the Bishop of Cork to stay away queued for the film, a group of about 100 demonstrated outside the venue. Many of the those protesting had travelled from Ballyvourney and Ballinspittle, places that had reported sightings of the Blessed Virgin.

Jesus is a person we can believe in because he is historically valid not the imagination of some modern day fanatic.

A counter protest of students dressed in biblical costumes turned up to support the showing of the film.

Security searches delayed the start of the screening and it was 3.00 am before the audience emerged. Tiernan McBride felt it was right to screen ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’.

People are entitled to object to it. I could see why if they had seen it they might have objected to it even more. But I still think it was valid to show the film.

An RTÉ News report broadcast 4 October 1988. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.