How the Yes and No sides won and lost the abortion referendum

How the Yes and No sides won and lost the abortion referendum

Harry McGee: Smiling Savita portraits proclaiming a new reality for Ireland
May 26, 2018

Harry McGee Political Correspondent

In the last few days of the referendum campaign on the Eight Amendment dozens of small posters appeared around Dublin.

The image was of Savita Halappanavar, instantly recognisable from her thick dark hair, wide smile, smiling eyes, and the Bindi dot on the forehead. The message contained one word: Yes. They were striking in their simplicity and directness.

The Savita case (read Kitty Holland’s report from 2012 here) was never too far away from people’s minds during the eight weeks that this extraordinary referendum campaign seeped into Irish public consciousness on doorsteps, in the streets, in the media, or on the airwaves… right up to polling day.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/how-the-yes-and-no-sides-won-and-lost-the-abortion-referendum-1.3509924


Ireland – Una Mullally: What was No side up to online that was so crucial?

Una Mullally: What was No side up to online that was so crucial?
Reaction to Facebook and Google referendum ad ban is tactic straight out of Trump playbook

May 11, 2018
Una Mullally

The issue of dubious online campaigning, which for so long was flagged by observers in the run up to the abortion referendum, snapped into focus this week.

While legislators had plenty of time since 2016 to tackle the potential impact of online campaigning or online interference in our democratic process, the digital space remained unregulated as the referendum campaign kicked off.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/una-mullally-what-was-no-side-up-to-online-that-was-so-crucial-1.3491739


Ireland- Google abortion poll advertising ban ‘outrageous’

Google abortion poll advertising ban 'outrageous'

By Christina McSorley, BBC News NI
10 May 2018

Google's decision to ban advertisements related to the upcoming abortion referendum in the Republic of Ireland has been criticised by pro-life campaigners.

The internet giant announced on Wednesday they will "pause all ads" following their recent update on election honesty.

Continued: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44067607


Ireland – 8th Amendment demands punishment for women

Fintan O’Toole: 8th Amendment demands punishment for women
Constitutional ban means Ireland too extreme even for mainstream social conservatives

April 30, 2018
Fintan O'Toole

I’m not sure people who want to defend the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution know how extreme their position is. Extreme, that is to say, not by the standards of those of us who always opposed it and would like it to be repealed, but even by the standards of mainstream social conservatism.

The Eighth is, in one crucial respect, on the lunatic fringe of anti-abortion activism. This is because, as has been made clear in recent years, it does not merely outlaw abortion in all but a very small range of circumstances. It does something else, something that most sensible conservatives regard as repugnant – it demands severe punishment for women who have abortions. There is no way around this: while the Eighth is in place, Ireland is committed to treating abortion, not just as a moral wrong, but as a crime more serious than, for example, child rape.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/fintan-o-toole-8th-amendment-demands-punishment-for-women-1.3479390


Ireland – Abortion referendum: Phoney war prevails until legislation is clear

Abortion referendum: Phoney war prevails until legislation is clear
The 12-week stance and the notion of trust – coming from both sides – is crucial to debate

Mar 3, 2018
Fiach Kelly

Last November, a group of 15 to 20 people who have pressed for changes to Ireland’s abortion laws for decades sat in the headquarters of the National Women’s Council of Ireland in Smithfield to listen to a research briefing.

One of the key messages for the forthcoming campaign, according to sources, was that “some change is better than no change”, and that they must be willingness to settle for less than some of them have long wanted.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/abortion-referendum-phoney-war-prevails-until-legislation-is-clear-1.3413360


Ireland: The abortion activist touring Ireland to win over hearts and minds

The abortion activist touring Ireland to win over hearts and minds
Caoimhe Anglin hopes to persuade voters to support abolition of eighth amendment that grants a foetus Irish citizenship

Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent
Fri 29 Dec ‘17

A young computer engineer is embarking on a tour of Ireland in 2018 to convince voters to support changes to the abortion law, as the country prepares for a referendum on repealing its ban on the procedure in almost all circumstances.

Caoimhe Anglin’s journey through every Irish county pitches her into the heart of a battle between secularism and traditional Catholicism.

Continued at source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/29/abortion-activist-touring-ireland-caoimhe-anglin-eighth-amendment


Ireland: Standards commission explains why George Soros’ donation to fund Amnesty abortion campaign was illegal

Standards commission explains why George Soros' donation to fund Amnesty abortion campaign was illegal
The law bans any foreign donations that aren’t from an Irish citizen who resides outside the island.

Dec 13, 2017

THE STANDARDS IN Public Office Commission (SIPO) has explained why it ordered Amnesty International to return a donation made by billionaire George Soros for its My Body My Rights campaign.

Sipo said current legislation governing donations to political groups forces those who receive donations over €100 to register as a third-party. The Electoral Act also bans foreign donations from an individual other than an Irish citizen who resides outside the island of Ireland – meaning Soros’ €137,000 donation did not meet the criteria for an acceptable donation.

Continued at source: http://www.thejournal.ie/george-soros-banned-3748738-Dec2017/