‘I had no real interest in politics, until this’ – Ireland’s accidental abortion activists

‘I had no real interest in politics, until this’ – Ireland’s accidental abortion activists
On 25 May, voters in Ireland will decide whether to legalise abortion. Doctors, grandparents and those who have been forced to travel the UK to seek terminations have been raising their voices in a bid to shift the narrative

Joyce Fegan
Tue 22 May 2018

In September 1983, article 40.3.3 – the eighth amendment – was voted into the Irish constitution. It equated the life of the “unborn” with that of the mother. It gave rise to a ban on abortion in all circumstances from the moment of conception.

It also led to a grave national silence, whereby abortion was outsourced to neighbouring jurisdictions, with Britain becoming a place of medical refuge for at least 168,703 Irish women.

Continued: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/22/ireland-abortion-vote-accidental-activists-eighth-amendment


Ireland, Enthusiastic About Gay Rights, Frets Over Abortion

Ireland, Enthusiastic About Gay Rights, Frets Over Abortion

By Kimiko de Freytas-Tamura
May 20, 2018

CARRIGTWOHILL, Ireland — When it comes to the Roman Catholic Church, Judy Donnelly has been something of a rebel over the years. Like much of Ireland, she supported contraception, voted in a referendum to legalize divorce and, three years ago, backed same-sex marriage.

That last vote was joyously celebrated around the country and the world, placing Ireland, which elected its first gay prime minister last year, at the vanguard of what many called a social revolution.

But when it comes to the historic decision on legalizing abortion, which will be put to the nation on Friday, Ms. Donnelly says she will vote no, as will enough of her countrymen and women, including lawmakers across the political divide, to throw the referendum result into doubt. Polls for the May 25 vote have narrowed so tightly in recent weeks that “yes” and “no” campaigners are not able to confidently predict a victory.

Continued: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/20/world/europe/ireland-gay-rights-abortion.html


Ireland – Abortion: Over 1,000 doctors call for Yes vote in referendum

Abortion: Over 1,000 doctors call for Yes vote in referendum
‘This is not a vote of Yes or No . . . it’s whether we want to make healthcare safe and regulated’

May 12, 2018
Sorcha Pollak

More than one thousand doctors from across Ireland have called for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment, saying repeal will make healthcare “safe and regulated” for Irish women.

The coalition of doctors gathered in Dublin on Saturday to sign a public declaration of their support of a repeal of the Eighth Amendment which will be held on May 25th.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/abortion-over-1-000-doctors-call-for-yes-vote-in-referendum-1.3493355


Fact Check: Is repeal necessary for abortions in fatal foetal cases?

Fact Check: Is repeal necessary for abortions in fatal foetal cases?
Together for Yes claims Constitutional change needed for FFA abortion law

May 9, 2018
Sarah Bardon Political Reporter

Question:
Is removing the Eighth Amendment necessary before legislation can be introduced to allow abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormality (FFA)?
Who is making the claim?

The claim is made by the Together for Yes campaign group, which is advocating for a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-referendum/fact-check-is-repeal-necessary-for-abortions-in-fatal-foetal-cases-1.3489530


Ireland – Coveney: ‘I approach the abortion issue from a pro-life perspective, but we need to end the status quo’

Coveney: 'I approach the abortion issue from a pro-life perspective, but we need to end the status quo'
For the first time, the Tánaiste speaks of his family’s own personal tragedy in pregnancy.

TÁNAISTE SIMON COVENEY has said he still approaches the issue of abortion from a “pro-life perspective” but believes the status quo can no longer remain in Ireland.

In an interview with TheJournal.ie about how he came to form his views on the abortion issue ahead of the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment, the Cork TD spoke for the first time about his family’s own personal tragedy in pregnancy.

Continued: http://www.thejournal.ie/simon-coveney-interview-abortion-referendum-3996392-May2018/


Liam Neeson: ‘To respect a woman’s right to decide, I’m backing Yes’

Liam Neeson: 'To respect a woman's right to decide, I'm backing Yes'
It's time for men to stand with women and make this once-in-a-generation opportunity count, writes Liam Neeson

Liam Neeson

May 6 2018 9:00 PM

There are times when we must stand for what is right. When the obvious injustice of a situation demands that we do so. For me, the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment is one of those times. A time to stand up and be counted. A moment when men must stand with women.

Men owe a debt to women in Ireland. For too long, we have at best stood by and at worst participated in a system that has stripped women of their human rights. Ireland has inflicted indignity and abuse on women for generations, and on a grand scale. In recent decades we have demonstrated the capacity to face the truth of such abuse, to own it and to do whatever we can to respond to it. And that is to our great credit.

Continued: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/abortion-referendum/liam-neeson-to-respect-a-womans-right-to-decide-im-backing-yes-36878032.html


Ireland – Poll: Young urban women giving Yes side referendum edge – but it is a narrow lead

Poll: Young urban women giving Yes side referendum edge - but it is a narrow lead
Poll points to two Irelands split by urban-rural divide, but abortion campaign to go down to wire

Jody Corcoran
May 6 2018

THE abortion referendum looks like it will be passed by a narrow majority but success is by no means certain at this stage, according to the latest Sunday Independent/Kantar Millward Brown opinion poll.

Excluding undecided voters, the poll finds 57pc to 43pc support repealing the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, which recognises the equal right to life of the mother and unborn.

Continued: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/abortion-referendum/poll-young-urban-women-giving-yes-side-referendum-edge-but-it-is-a-narrow-lead-36877996.html


Ireland’s Feminists Lost the Abortion Argument in ’83. This Time We Can Win.

Ireland’s Feminists Lost the Abortion Argument in ’83. This Time We Can Win.

By Susan Mckay
May 5, 2018

DUBLIN — In 1983 the Irish people voted to give a fertilized egg the same right to life as the woman who carries it. Feminists tried to stop it. We argued that crisis pregnancies were a reality of women’s lives and that we needed the right to choose how to deal with them. We said that the constitutional amendment on the ballot, which made abortion illegal unless the mother’s life is in danger, would harm women. We marched and chanted “Get your rosaries off our ovaries.” A Catholic bishop pronounced that the most dangerous place for a baby was in a woman’s womb.

We lost, overwhelmingly. But Ireland has changed. On May 25, the Irish people will vote on whether to repeal the Eighth Amendment. This time I think we can win.

Continued: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/05/opinion/sunday/ireland-abortion-referendum.html


Ireland – Abortion Q&A: What will happen after you vote in the referendum?

Abortion Q&A: What will happen after you vote in the referendum?
Government will introduce abortion legislation if Yes side wins

April 30, 2018
Sarah Bardon

Irish citizens vote on the issue of abortion on May 25th. They will be asked whether or not to delete Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution (known as the Eighth Amendment) and replace it with a new Article allowing the Oireachtas to legislate on the issue.

What is the Government proposing?
The Government is proposing to bring legislation before the Dáil in the event that the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution is repealed in the May 25th referendum. The Eighth Amendment gives the unborn an equal right to life as the mother and therefore prohibits abortion in almost all cases.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/abortion-q-a-what-will-happen-after-you-vote-in-the-referendum-1.3478922


Migrant women ‘disproportionately affected’ by Eighth Amendment

Migrant women ‘disproportionately affected’ by Eighth Amendment
Refugee support groups call for Repeal of the Eighth to protect rights of migrant women

April 29, 2018
Sorcha Pollak

Migrant women, including women seeking asylum, are “disproportionately and adversely affected” by the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, refugee support groups have said.

Women who are asylum-seekers, refugees, undocumented or victims of trafficking and who do not have the right to travel freely between Ireland and the UK or mainland Europe currently face a unique set of legal and financial barriers when it comes to accessing abortion services, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the Irish Refugee Council, the Migrant and Refugee Rights Centre (NASC) and Doras Luimní have warned.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/migrant-women-disproportionately-affected-by-eighth-amendment-1.3478244