An Irish police investigation into allegedly blasphemous comments made by Stephen Fry has been dropped after detectives decided there were not enough people who had been outraged by the remarks.

Police launched an investigation into the presenter, author and comedian after he described God as "capricious", "mean-minded", "stupid" and an "utter maniac" during an appearance on Irish television show "The Meaning of Life" in February 2015.

The comments were widely reported but did not become a legal matter until a man complained last year, prompting a police enquiry.

Under Irish law, it is illegal to use words that are "grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters sacred to any religion, thereby intentionally causing outrage among a substantial number of adherents of that religion".

After initial inquiries, officers decided that not enough people had been outraged by Mr Fry's remarks to warrant further investigation, according to the Irish Independent.

A source told the paper: "This man was simply a witness and not an injured party. Gardaí (Irish police) were unable to find a substantial number of outraged people.

"For this reason the investigation has been concluded."

Asked in 2015 by the programme's host, Gay Byrne, what he would say to God if he arrived in heaven, Mr Fry replied: “I’d say, bone cancer in children? What’s that about?”

“How dare you? How dare you create a world to which there is such misery that is not our fault? It’s not right, it’s utterly, utterly evil.

Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards Show all 29 1 /29 Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301621.bin Stephen Fry poses with his most popular documentary and special recognition awards at the 2010 National Television Awards. Dave Hogan/Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301721.bin Cast and crew of Coronation Street pose with the award for Most Popular Serial Drama. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301732.bin Dr Who actor David Tennant appears with his Outstanding Drama Performance award backstage. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301722.bin Singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole appears backstage at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301901.bin The Loose Women presenters pose with the award for Most Popular Factual Programme. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301902.bin Actress Lacey Turner appears with her award for Best Serial Drama Performance (Eastenders). Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301727.bin Presenters Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly pose with the award for Best Entertainment Presenters. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301921.bin Myleene Klass arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301922.bin James Corden appears with his award for Best Comedy (Gavin and Stacey) at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301923.bin Holly Willoughby arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301929.bin Tiana Benjamin arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301924.bin Amanda Holden arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301937.bin Barbara Windsor arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301938.bin Kym Marsh arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301939.bin Michelle Heaton and Katie Price arrive at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301940.bin John and Edward Grimes arrive at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301941.bin Michael McIntyre arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301943.bin Tess Daly arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301944.bin Helen Flanagan arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301928.bin Cheryl Fergison arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301925.bin Eastenders actress Kara Tointon arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301926.bin Arlene Phillips arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301927.bin Joanna Lumley arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301932.bin Big Brother winner Sophie Read arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301933.bin Fearne Cotton arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301724.bin Beverley Callard arrives at the National Television Awards. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301726.bin Bill Roach poses in the press room. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301730.bin L-R Dannii Minogue, Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole pose with the most popular talent show award awarded to X Factor in the press room. Getty Images Delight for Stephen Fry at TV awards 301731.bin Alex Bain poses in the press room at the National Television Awards. Getty Images

“Why should I respect a capricious, mean-minded, stupid god who creates a world that is so full of injustice and pain?

“We have to spend our life on our knees thanking him? What kind of god would do that?

“The god who created this universe, if it was created by god, is quite clearly a maniac, an utter maniac, totally selfish.”

Under Ireland's 2009 Defamation Act, anyone “who publishes or utters blasphemous matter shall be guilty of an offence” and liable for a fine of up to €25,000 (£21,200).

The man who made the initial complaint about Mr Fry is said to have been satisfied that Irish police had investigated the matter fully and told detectives he was merely doing his civic duty in reporting it.