Film
Sanctuary
- Director
- Len Collin
- Certificate
- 15
- Running Time
- 90 mins
Larry (Kieran Coppinger), has Downs syndrome. Sophie (Charlene Kelly), has severe epilepsy. After they fall in love, their care worker arranges for them to slope off together to a Galway hotel. Trouble is that what they’re up to is actually illegal under Irish law. Under section 5 of the Criminal Law Act (Sexual Offences) 1993 it’s an offence for two people with an intellectual disability to have an intimate relationship.
Adapted by Christian O’Reilly from his own stage play, Len Collin‘s warm-hearted romcom achieved something that even few campaigning films manage to pull off: a change in the law. In February 2017, Irish law was amended so that the events depicted in Sanctuary are now no longer illegal.
EatDrink24/7 Launch Party is back on July 8 2026!
Exclusive collabs from Bristol’s favourite food vendors, available for one night only. Be first to grab your free copy of the EatDrink24/7 guide – plus every ticket comes with a free limited-edition beer can.
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
