Ireland divided as vote on abortion tests faith and the old order

Ireland divided as vote on abortion tests faith and the old order
In the only Irish county to vote against same-sex marriage, a close vote is expected in May

Kevin McKenna
Sat 3 Feb 2018

The eighth amendment of the Irish constitution makes Ireland, depending on your point of view, either a unique beacon of humanity in a godless world or a superstitious hamlet determined not to enter into the 21st century. The amendment was signed into law in October 1983 after two-thirds of the electorate voted in a referendum to accord equal status to the life of a child growing in the womb with that of its mother. As a result, only in extreme circumstances can an abortion take place.

Pointing out that no one under the age of 52 had ever voted on the issue, the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, last week announced that a referendum would take place by the end of May to repeal the amendment.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/03/ireland-abortion-referendum-divided-vote-faith-old-order