The Film Censor's Office (Ifco) has banned the controversial video game, Manhunt 2. It is the first video game to be banned in the State. The decision was taken by the film censor, John Kelleher, and the deputy censor, Ger Connolly, in consultation with colleagues, writes Michael Dwyer, Film Correspondent
The censor's website states that the prohibition order was made under Section 7(1)(b) of the Video Recordings Act 1989 which refers to "acts of gross violence or cruelty (including mutilation and torture)".
The website posting continues: "Ifco recognises that in certain films, DVDs and video games, strong graphic violence may be a justifiable element within the overall context of the work.
"However, in the case of Manhunt 2, Ifco believes that there is no such context, and the level of gross, unrelenting and gratuitous violence is unacceptable."
Reviewing Manhunt 2 on the IGN website, Matt Casamassina comments that "no game we have ever played or seen is as over-the-top violent or downright gross as this action-stealth splatter fest".
Manhunt 2 has also been banned by the British Board of Film Classification, which has made it illegal for the game to be supplied anywhere in the UK.
A statement from the board yesterday said: "Rejecting a work is a very serious action and one which we do not take lightly. Where possible we try to consider cuts or, in the case of games, modifications which remove the material which contravenes the board's published guidelines.
"In the case of Manhunt 2 this has not been possible. Manhunt 2 is distinguishable from recent high-end video games by its unremitting bleakness and callousness of tone in an overall game context which constantly encourages visceral killing with exceptionally little alleviation or distancing.
"There is sustained and cumulative casual sadism in the way in which these killings are committed, and encouraged, in the game."