Ireland: Cautious welcome for new Taoiseach’s 2018 Repeal referendum

Cautious welcome for new Taoiseach’s 2018 Repeal referendum

June 16, 2017
Referendum on the 8th Amendment could be a step forward for Ireland

Speaking today in response to the announcement of a referendum to take place in 2018, Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC) spokesperson Linda Kavanagh said, “We’d obviously welcome it, however we reserve judgement until the wording of the referendum is revealed. We fear that it will offer only very limited abortion access and repeat the failures of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. We need broad-based legislation so that real and realistic access is given, otherwise thousands will still travel or break the law by importing and taking abortion pills.”

Continued at source: Abortion Rights Campaign: https://www.abortionrightscampaign.ie/2017/06/16/cautious-welcome-for-new-taoiseachs-2018-repeal-referendum/

Irish Teenager Who Asked For An Abortion Was Sectioned Under Mental Health Act

Irish Teenager Who Asked For An Abortion Was Sectioned Under Mental Health Act
She was held in a mental health unit against her will.

June 13, 2017
Sara C Nelson Senior Editor, The Huffington Post UK

An Irish teenager who requested an abortion was instead sectioned and held in a mental health unit against her will.

The girl, whose name has not been released, was seen by a consultant psychiatrist who “was of the opinion that while the child was at risk of self-harm and suicide as a result of the pregnancy, this could be managed by treatment and that termination of the pregnancy was not the solution for all of the child’s problems at that stage.”

The girl and her mother had believed they were being “transferred to Dublin for a termination and she was very agitated when she found that she was being admitted to a mental health unit.”

Continued at source: Huffington Post UK: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/irish-teenager-who-asked-for-an-abortion-is-sectioned-under-mental-health-act_uk_593fd4d7e4b02402687ca82e

Ireland: Pregnant young girl detained under mental health act after seeking abortion

Latest: Ruth Coppinger: Girl being put into psychiatric unit while seeking abortion is human rights violation
Monday, June 12, 2017

Update 3pm: A young girl being put into a psychiatric unit while seeking an abortion is a human rights violation, according to a Solidarity TD.

Ruth Coppinger said the case highlights serious flaws in the current laws around terminations of pregnancy.

The girl was suicidal, however she was reportedly detained under the Mental Health Act under the advice of a psychiatrist who said an abortion was not the solution.

Continued at source: Irish Examiner: https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/pregnant-young-girl-detained-under-mental-health-act-after-seeking-abortion-793163.html

“Cowardly Statements” from politicians condemned by the Abortion Rights Campaign

“Cowardly Statements” from politicians condemned by the Abortion Rights Campaign
May 5, 2017

Press Release from the Abortion Rights Campaign

The campaign has today called on politicians to put aside their personal opinions and follow the will of the people.

Speaking today spokesperson Linda Kavanagh said, “The government must not back away from the call for choice made by the Citizens Assembly. While we welcome Simon Coveney’s statement that a referendum will be held next year on the issue of the 8th Amendment, we are concerned by his comment that he would not like to see ‘abortion on demand’. So-called abortion on demand is an emotive synonym for abortion on request, something the Citizens’ Assembly voted emphatically in favour of, at least up til 12 weeks.” Ms Kavanagh continued, “Minister Coveney was very supportive of the Citizens’ Assembly process – until they brought recommendations that he himself did not approve of.”

Continued at source: Abortion Rights Campaign: http://www.abortionrightscampaign.ie/2017/05/05/3729/

05.05.2017