Geraldine Kennedy: Why I am a reluctant Yes to repeal Eighth Amendment

Geraldine Kennedy: Why I am a reluctant Yes to repeal Eighth Amendment
It’s a long way from what I voted against in 1983 to the right to abortion at 12 weeks ‘without any indication’

April 27, 2018
Geraldine Kennedy

There have been almost 30 referendums since the Constitution was adopted in 1937. I have covered the vast majority of them in my journalistic career. There have been more abortion questions put to the people in referendums than any other single issue in the history of the State. So, I have become something of a specialist on abortion. The referendum on May 25th is the sixth time around for me.

The first time was on September 7th, 1983, when the Eighth Amendment was put into the Constitution. It is hard to believe that it was held almost 35 years ago. This means every voter under the age of 53 years or so, depending on their political awareness, has no personal memory of that campaign.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/geraldine-kennedy-why-i-am-a-reluctant-yes-to-repeal-eighth-amendment-1.3476601


Ireland’s abortion debates through the years

Ireland's abortion debates through the years

Friday, 27 Apr 2018
By David McCullagh

With four weeks to go until Ireland votes on the referendum on the Eighth Amendment on Friday 25 May, David McCullagh looks back on the contentious debates over Ireland's abortion legislation.

1861
Offences Against the Person Act makes it an offence unlawfully to administer poison or to use an instrument on any woman with intent to procure her miscarriage.

1967
British Abortion Act is passed legalising abortion up to 28 weeks’ gestation.

Continued: https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/0424/956963-abortion-timeline/


Ireland: How Peter Sutherland tried in vain to stop the Eighth Amendment

How Peter Sutherland tried in vain to stop the Eighth Amendment
Sutherland’s alternative referendum wording may have resulted in a more restrictive abortion regime in the long run

Sat, Jan 13, 2018
Joe Humphreys

Peter Sutherland, whose funeral took place this week, was a central figure in the drama surrounding the introduction of the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution 35 years ago. As attorney general, he convinced then taoiseach Garret FitzGerald to oppose the wording of the so-called “Pro-Life Amendment”, which would ultimately be passed in a referendum in September 1983.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/how-peter-sutherland-tried-in-vain-to-stop-the-eighth-amendment-1.3353426