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“Spiralling” abortion numbers inspire thousands to Rally for Life in Dublin

Over ten thousand pro-lifers rallied in Dublin on Saturday, in the face of Ireland’s “spiralling” abortion numbers to celebrate life and say no to further liberalisation of Ireland’s abortion laws. Attendees gathered amidst a “deeply disturbing” 22% increase in the number of abortions from 2021 to 2022, and amidst a Bill that seeks to make Ireland’s abortion law even more extreme, which is currently moving through Irish Parliament. 

In response to these statistics, Pro Life Campaign spokesperson, Eilís Mulroy, said that the latest figures showed that for every seven babies born, one was aborted.

“It shows how the Irish abortion rate has dramatically jumped, as the result of a government which has shown a complete lack of interest in providing women in unplanned pregnancies with real alternatives to abortion. Politicians’ only focus now should be on reducing the numbers, not on making the abortion regime even more pervasive”.

4,000 babies saved by reflection period

The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) (Amendment) Bill 2023 is currently before the Dáil, the lower house of the Irish legislature, at the second stage of progression.

The Bill seeks to remove the three-day waiting period for women who request an abortion. Rally for Life spokeswoman Megan Ní Scealláin said that “about 4,000 women between 2019-2022 did not return for an abortion after the 3 day period of reflection”. 

The Rally for Life launched its campaign to keep this life-saving reflection period and urged the thousands gathered to contact their local parliamentarians to demand the three-day wait be kept. 

“The Government has no interest in keeping the number of abortions that happen in this country down”

Speakers at the Rally included British pro-lifer Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, who spoke about her recent arrests for opposing abortion. Conor O’Dowd, a young man with Down’s syndrome, addressed the crowd about abortion and disability discrimination. A number of politicians joined the Rally, including Independent Senator Sharon Keogan, who said “The Government has no interest in keeping the number of abortions that happen in this country down”.

Right To Life UK spokesperson Catherine Robinson said “It is encouraging to see thousands of people rally to protect unborn children. Ireland’s abortion statistics reveal an alarming and tragic increase in the number of abortions. With attempts to make Ireland’s abortion law even more extreme making their way through the Irish legislature, pro-lifers throughout Ireland must mobilise to demand politicians act in defence of life. By removing important safeguards, the Irish government risks their abortion numbers continuing to spiral, harming countless women, children and families in the process”. 

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Help stop three major anti-life threats.

Help fight major assisted suicide and abortion up to birth threats.

Dear reader,

Despite the Leadbeater assisted-suicide Bill passing its Third Reading on 20 June, it scraped through by just 23 votes (314-291) after enjoying a 55-vote majority at Second Reading. Had 12 more MPs switched sides, the Bill would be dead. It now limps into the Lords with a wafer-thin majority, where peers can amend, delay or reject it outright.

THE CHALLENGE

Dignity in Dying, My Death My Decision and Humanists UK have poured millions into pushing assisted suicide and will fight hard to stop the Lords overturning the Bill.

At the same time, the Antoniazzi abortion-up-to-birth amendment, passed by MPs in June, also heads to the Lords. If it becomes law, it would no longer be illegal for women to perform their own abortions for any reason – including sex-selective purposes – and at any point up to and during birth.

We will be up against the UK’s largest abortion providers, BPAS and MSI Reproductive Choices (formerly Marie Stopes), who are expected to push for even more extreme changes to our abortion laws in the Lords.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Thousands of vulnerable lives are now at stake. Battling these two threats is the biggest and most expensive effort in our history, and has drained our limited resources. To fight effectively on both fronts, we aim to raise £200,000 by midnight this Sunday (13 July 2025).

Every donation, large or small, will help protect lives, and UK taxpayers can add 25p to every £1 through Gift Aid at no extra cost.

Will you make a donation now to help protect vulnerable lives from these major threats?

URGENT
APPEAL
to protect vulnerable lives

Help stop three major anti-life threats.

Help fight major assisted suicide and abortion up to birth threats.