By The Newsroom
4th Jan 2026
A woman currently appealing a conviction for conducting an illegal protest inside a hospital’s ‘safe access zone’ is due to appear in court on fresh charges.
Claire Brennan is due to appear in Coleraine Magistrates’ Court on Monday to be charged with three offences of “doing an act inside a safe access zone” on three specific dates in September, October and November last year.
Clive Johnston disputes the charges on a devolution point and under the European Convention on Human Rights
Paul Higgins
Fri Mar 21 2025
A retired church pastor on Friday denied conducting an illegal protest at an abortion safe access zone in a Coleraine hospital.
Appearing on behalf of Clive Johnston at Coleraine Magistrates Court, defence counsel Aaron Thompson entered pleas of not guilty to the two charges on behalf of the 76-year-old retired pastor, revealing that the defendant disputes the charges on a devolution point and under article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Oct 4, 2023
By Maria McCann, BBC News NI north-east reporter
Two people have been arrested at an anti-abortion protest outside the Causeway Hospital near Coleraine, County Londonderry.
The man and woman allegedly refused to leave the established safe access zone on Tuesday morning, police said.
New legislation came into effect last week to stop protestors gathering directly outside health settings where abortions take place.
Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-67007413
Sept 25, 2023
Exclusion zones set up to block anti-abortion protests outside health clinics in Northern Ireland will be introduced on Friday. The "safe access zones," will be in areas across the five health trusts.
Legislation to set up the zones at clinics where abortions are carried out was passed at Stormont last year. The Department of Health said they are to "protect women and girls accessing abortion services, information, advice and counselling, and protect staff".
Continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-66917236
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