Incitement to Disaffection Act (Ireland) 1797

The Incitement to Disaffection Act (Ireland) 1797 was a piece of legislation passed by the Parliament of Ireland, primarily aimed at suppressing the growing revolutionary sentiment and activities associated with the United Irishmen. The Act broadened the definition of sedition and made it a criminal offence to incite members of the armed forces, particularly soldiers and sailors, to mutiny, desert, or otherwise disobey orders. It was a direct response to the perceived threat of French invasion and the increasing instances of disaffection within the Irish militias and the British army stationed in Ireland.

The Act significantly increased the penalties for seditious activities. It targeted not only those directly involved in organizing rebellion but also those who were deemed to be spreading discontent among the military ranks. The penalties included imprisonment, transportation, and in some cases, the death penalty.

The Incitement to Disaffection Act was one of several coercive measures implemented by the government in Ireland in the late 1790s to counter the threat of rebellion. Other related legislation included acts that restricted the right to bear arms, suppressed public meetings, and established martial law in certain areas.

The Act was controversial at the time and is often seen as a draconian measure designed to stifle political dissent and maintain British control over Ireland. It contributed to the escalating tensions that ultimately led to the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Following the Act of Union in 1800, which abolished the Irish Parliament, the laws of the United Kingdom became applicable to Ireland, and while the Act wasn't explicitly repealed for some time, its specific application was superseded by subsequent legislation addressing sedition and military discipline within the UK as a whole.