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”.
