Ireland’s Censorship of Publications Board has voted to ban a book for the first time in 18 years. 

The board found the novel ‘The Raped Little Runaway,’ written by Jean Martin to be “indecent” and “obscene” for its numerous and explicit descriptions of the rape of a minor. The book is published in New York by an adult book publisher.

The board is an independent body that oversees all books and periodicals on sale in Ireland. Under Ireland’s Censorship of Publications Act, the initial prohibition order on a book lasts for a period of 12 years. 

The Irish Times reports that the ban, which went into effect on Friday, means that the book cannot be sold or distributed in the State.

Board chairman Shane McCarthy told the Irish Independent that the decision was unanimous among the five board members.

"It was the only resort," he said.

"We either ban it or allow it. It isn't like a film where you can put in an age restriction. It is black or white."

"The collective view of the board was that it was a vile publication as it contained graphic descriptions of the rape of a minor. It was not singular.”

The banning of a text by the board is a rare occurrence.

The last book it banned was ‘The Base Guide to London,’ in 1998. The book explored “the seedy side” of the English capital and advertised the locations of “places of ill-repute.”