Why Ireland faces fifth divisive referendum on abortion in 35 years
Larry Donnelly
April 22, 2018
Back in 1983, two thirds of the Irish people voted to insert the following language into their constitution in a referendum: “The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.”
What became the 8th Amendment was largely driven by the Catholic Church and conservative forces, who were cognisant of a liberal abortion regime in the United Kingdom and the recognition of a constitutional right to abortion in the United States, and wanted to prevent something similar here in Ireland.
Continued: https://www.irishcentral.com/opinion/others/ireland-fifth-referendum-abortion-35-years