http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx-nSo9HafI&feature=youtu.be
(YouTube: SineadOCarrollTJ)
THE PRO-LIFE CAMPAIGN has said it is concerned only with informing people “of a voting age” about the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013, and did not want to be distracted by other issues that have been attracting media attention, including recent threats to politicians and the controversy at a Dublin school.
Spokesperson Caroline Simons said the group did not use school leaflet drops as a policy or “a way of getting a message out there”.
She described the recent incident at Harold School which forced the resignation of school chairman Eddie Shaw as “unfortunate”.
On the idea of giving information on the abortion debate to children, she added: “It is not something we would be promoting or condoning”.
Following revelations this month that TDs have been receiving abusive and threatening letters from anti-abortion campaigners, Simons said she did not want to discuss the matter but noted that the action “goes both ways”.
Gardaí have been called to the group’s offices twice and there have been specific threats on her life made, she claimed.
“But I am not interested in that,” she said, adding that she had dealt with it through the appropriate authorities and channels. Earlier today, Health Minister James Reilly said his family had been sent arson attack threats over proposed legislation.
The focus on that “fringe element” is unfortunate, according to the organisation. “It is a travesty for the Taoiseach to demonise the pro-life community as a whole focusing on the unacceptable behaviour of a tiny minority whose allegiance in any case is unknown,” concluded Simons.
The Pro-Life Campaign held a press conference this morning to call for TDs and Senators to be allowed to vote according to their conscience and not be held to a party whip.
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