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ON 28 MARCH the date for the abortion referendum was announced and both sides went into overdrive.
In what has been a divisive campaign fraught with strong words and tension on all sides, we are going to list the quotes which defined the debate.
Under the 8th Amendment, women in crisis pregnancy have been told to take the plane or take the boat. Today we tell them – ‘Take our hand’.”
Health Minister Simon Harris reacts as early tallies confirm that Ireland will repeal the 8th Amendment.
I’m disappointed and I feel it’s a sad day – a devastating day for us. The 8th has done a fantastic job protecting mothers.
Pro-life campaign’s Cora Sherlock reacts to the vote.
If there is a No vote on Friday, I think it’s only a matter of time before someone haemorrhages or bleeds to death after taking one of these [abortion] pills unregulated.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on why he voted Yes.
The Eighth Amendment does not mean that Ireland is a country without abortion,” he said. “Retaining the Eighth Amendment will not turn Ireland into a country without abortion… Nothing we say or do here could make Ireland a country without abortion.
Micheál Martin addresses the Daíl and says he will vote to repeal the eighth amendment.
We are being told that this proposal is about the safety and health of women, and yet what is being proposed, in a cavalier fashion, is explicitly unsafe for women.
GP Neil Maguire was one of many medics who spoke out against repealing the amendment.
“Mental health has no evidence base”
Senator Ronan Mullen caused controversy when he criticised poor mental health for being a reason to terminate a pregnancy.
You deserve love and respect regardless of what you’ve ever done.
A second one from Mullen who said these words in response to testimony by a young woman on why she travelled to England for an abortion.
Minister Harris is deliberately and knowingly misleading the public about the contents of his own bill. He says abortions will not be legal at six months, but it is right there in the bill under head 4. Indeed under head 5, no term limit is imposed for abortion on mental health grounds right up to birth.
Save the 8th communications director John McGuirk debates the intricacies of proposed abortion legislation if 8th is repealed.
It is completely false to say abortion will take place right up until the end of pregnancy. Those babies will be delivered in the mother’s interest.
Former master of Holles Street Maternity Hospital Peter Boylan addressed false claims that abortions could take place at any time if the 8th is repealed.
9 from Kerry and 130 from Kildare. 21 from Leitrim and 20 from Roscommon. 69 from Wexford.
33 from Cavan and 15 from Monaghan. 99 from Limerick. 53 from Clare. 38 from Westmeath. 63 from Donegal. 113 from Galway. 44 from Kilkenny. 42 from Laois. 83 from Louth and 100 from Meath. 28 from Offaly and 29 from Sligo. 16 from Longford. 56 from Waterford.
Health Minister Simon Harris listens the counties of those women who travelled to Britain for abortions in the last year.
What repeal or replacing the 8th Amendment would actually involve, if voted through, is stripping unborn babies of all meaningful protections which in turn would inevitably lead to countless babies having their lives deliberately ended with the full sanction of the State. That is the simple and stark reality.
Pro-life campaign’s Cora Sherlock on what she believes Ireland faces if the 8th is repealed.
The Stand / SoundCloud
You’re a bollocks, a fucking bollocks. Fuck off Eamon.
Things got heated between Eamon Dunphy and John Waters during a debate on the 8th.
Anything else stand out? Let us know in the comments below.
Whatever people may think of the principles she advocated for I always thought her incredibly brave to so publicly fight for what she believed in in spite of the stigma and inevitable judgement of others for doing so. RIP
@Liam Doyle: I agree. Its not everyones idea of a career. But i am sure she made good living and its only right these girls are protected. A formidable and beautiful woman and i hope she rests in peace. A sad loss of a young woman for her family..
@Liam Doyle: she was under constant attack by so-called feminists.
@Roddy Reagan: why are you surprised? Nuns have always opposed this sort of thing, just because they’ve dropped the habits doesn’t mean their attitudes have changed.
@Roddy Reagan: Yeah. Why was she a problem for feminists. Does her profession not fall under the heading of “her body, her choice”.. I thought she was amazing.
@Sinead Hanley: I’m a feminist. She was amazing. Her body, her Choice.
@Ciara Ni Mhurchu: +1. A sad loss for her family and the community she represented.
She was a friend who helped me out with some issues I was having. Hadn’t talked to her in a while but often thought of her. RIP.
A brave brave woman glad she made a mark
I have a few friends who are sex workers and I know Laura was a big inspiration and help to them. My thoughts are with them and Laura’s family and friends at this time.
@Mean Gene Okerlund: Lol jesus…
@rse biscuits: deleted by the journal Stasi agents. Was just a silly little gag, fail to see where the offence was
@Mean Gene Okerlund: Ah yes, nothing better than a bit of humour to make light of the sudden death of someone’s mother.
@Mean Gene Okerlund:
The very fact you think you can post a “silly little gag” on a thread announcing someone’s death shows what a disrespectful person you are.
RIP Laura
@Brian Houlihan: you cant buy friends
Lee-galize it! RIP Laura
@J M Raw: Why would you legalise something that has destroyed countless lives and turns women into vacuous sex objects?
Laura was a wonderful person, brave, funny, inspirational, kind & hugely driven in her activism. She was one of the good people and will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to her family, particularly her daughter.
RIP Laura.
IIRC Irish law adopted the Swedish model on sex work which is illegal to buy sex but not illegal to sell. This is supposed to protect sex workers from being arrested and imprisoned. Imo it should be legal to sell and buy as this is the only way to give sex workers bodily autonomy. Legalise and tax it like any other work similarly to germany. I don’t know how the radfems got into our legal system.
RIP Laura. Very sad to lose such a vital campaigner so young. It is only proper and right that in the real world these issues concerning women’s rights of working safely and healthily continue to be addressed and that the pimps are wiped out. Condolences to her family.
Tragic loss of a brave woman not afraid to break quite a few eggs. The religious, feminazis and brouhaha must be delighted…
@Paul Jennings: I’m no expert but I’m pretty sure most feminists and feminist groups completely support people like her and her cause.
That is awful sad, such a young woman.
I’m sure a law was recently passed to make buying sex illegal but not selling. This imo restricts women (and men) doing what they want with their bodies. Sex should be legal and taxed like any other work. I don’t know how the radfems got so much influence to adopt the Swedish model. Rip.
Cause of death? Terrible so young, said sudden – but all details missing……
@HelloGoogleTracking: Because they’re none of your nosy, prurient business.
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