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THE body representing Ireland’s Vocational Education Committees (VECs) has expressed concern that a European Court of Human Rights ruling may be used to remove crucifixes from schools.

"It would be taking things to a ridiculous level when you can’t display logos, emblems or whatever else it may be," said Michael Moriarty, general secretary of the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA). Prohibiting or obstructing the display of religious logos or emblems was "a denial of freedom," he told the Irish Examiner.

Mr Moriarty said he was astounded by the European court ruling that the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools was deemed a violation of religious and education freedoms. The ruling could force a review of the use of religious symbols in government-run schools across Europe. The Vatican denounced the court’s ruling.

European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg ruled that displaying crucifixes in Italian classrooms violates parents' rights to secular education for their children.

Saying the crucifix could be disturbing to non-Christian or atheist pupils, the court rejected arguments by Italy’s government that it was a national symbol of culture, history, identity, tolerance and secularism. The Italian government immediately said it would appeal the ruling. The court ordered the Italian government to pay a €5,000 fine to Soile Lautsi, the mother of two children who claimed public schools in her town refused eight years ago to remove the Roman Catholic symbols from classrooms. The seven-judge panel, however, stopped short of ordering Italy to remove the crucifixes. The ruling can still be appealed to the European court’s grand chamber of 17 judges, whose decisions are binding.

The ruling has sparked an uproar throughout the country, with religious leaders and politicians condemning the ruling using words such as "abhorrent," "offensive," "pagan," and "spineless."

"This is an abhorrent ruling," said Rocco Buttiglione, a former culture minister, who was previously attacked by the EU for defending catholic values. "It must be rejected with firmness. Italy has its culture, its traditions and its history. Those who come among us must understand and accept this culture and this history," he said

The Italian Bishops Conference described the verdict was "one sided and ideological," and "evokes sadness and bewilderment."