Ireland’s Catholic traditions tested as abortion referendum looms

Ireland's Catholic traditions tested as abortion referendum looms
Abortion remains such a taboo in Ireland that it's rare for women to speak openly about it. A public admission could result in a 14-year prison sentence.

by Saphora Smith and Ziad Jaber
May.12.2018

DUBLIN — Rita Harrold's decision to end her pregnancy turned her into a criminal in the eyes of the law.

More than four decades after being legalized in the U.S., abortion remains illegal in almost all cases in the Irish Republic.

Five years ago, Harrold took abortion pills that had been smuggled into the country.

Continued: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ireland-s-catholic-traditions-tested-abortion-referendum-looms-n857671


From Linda Kavanagh to Tracy Harkin: A guide to who’s who in Ireland’s divisive abortion debate

From Linda Kavanagh to Tracy Harkin: A guide to who's who in Ireland's divisive abortion debate
With Ireland's landmark referendum on the Eighth Amendment looming, voices on both sides of the abortion debate are getting ­ louder. But who exactly is lining out?

John Meagher
February 4 2018

It has been a momentous week for campaigners on both sides of the great abortion debate as it was finally confirmed that a referendum would be held this summer. Friday, May 25, is thought to be the most likely day for the referendum, one that pro-choice supporters hope will forever lift the ban on abortion.

But despite a series of opinion polls that indicate that the majority of the country wants change, the pro-life side believes a large cohort of people opposed to abortion have not had their voices heard.

Continued: https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/abortion-referendum/from-linda-kavanagh-to-tracy-harkin-a-guide-to-whos-who-in-irelands-divisive-abortion-debate-36558195.html


Ireland Just Reached A “Milestone” In Its Fight To Legalise Abortion

Ireland Just Reached A "Milestone" In Its Fight To Legalise Abortion

A referendum edges closer after a group of members of the public assembled by the Irish government voted overwhelmingly to allow abortion for a wide range of reasons.

Posted on April 24, 2017

Laura Silver
BuzzFeed News Reporter

The prospect of abortion being legalised in Ireland moved a step closer at the weekend after an advisory group of members of the public indicated they would like to see radical reform to the country's abortion laws.

Abortion is currently illegal in almost all circumstances in Ireland. The eighth amendment of the constitution states that the procedure can only be carried out if a women's life is in immediate danger.

On Saturday, 87% of the 99 members of the Citizens' Assembly – a group of ordinary people established by prime minister Enda Kenny to advise on changes to the law regarding several key issues – voted in favour of repealing the eighth amendment.

Continued at source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurasilver/ireland-just-reached-a-milestone-in-its-fight-to-legalise?


A bus is being driven around Ireland to help women have abortions

A bus is being driven around Ireland to help women have abortions

Metro News Reporter for Metro.co.uk
Tuesday 7 Mar 2017 1:39 pm

A group of women are driving a bus around Ireland to help distribute abortion pills.

Under the eighth amendment of Ireland’s constitution, abortion is only legal if a woman’s life is in immediate danger. And using pills to induce miscarriages early in pregnancies is also against the law, as it is in Northern Ireland. Some estimates say 12 women travel to the UK a day for abortions, while three Irish women are said to buy abortion pills online every day.

But campaigners from ROSA (Reproductive rights against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity), are travelling across Ireland to fight for a referendum to repeal the eighth amendment.

Continued at source: Metro: http://metro.co.uk/2017/03/07/a-bus-is-being-driven-around-ireland-to-help-women-have-abortions-6492965/