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Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said he was delighted that the bill will be adopted by the Government. Leah Farrell

Repeat sex offenders will face mandatory minimum sentencing under new laws

The new Bill is to get Cabinet approval in the Autumn.

THE GOVERNMENT IS to pass legislation which will introduce minimum sentencing for repeat sex offenders, it emerged today.

It was announced that a private member’s bill brought in by Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran will be adopted by the Government.

The new law will only apply when an offender is convicted of and is sentenced to imprisonment for a period of at least five years. If that person commits another sex offence within a seven-year period, then a tougher minimum sentence will be imposed.

Under the draft laws, the minimum period of prison time will three-quarters of the maximum term of imprisonment allowed for that crime.

In cases where the maximum imprisonment for that crime is life, then minimum sentencing of 10 years will apply.

The laws surrounding incest are also to be changed. As things stand, the punishment for incest by a man carries a sentence of up to life imprisonment whereas incest by a woman carries a maximum seven years imprisonment. The new law will aim to increase the maximum sentencing for women who commit this crime.

Moran said he was delighted that his private member’s bill is to be adopted by the Government and said that it should help protect families.

“Both issues will be contained in a Government Bill which Minister Flanagan will seek Cabinet approval for in the Autumn,” said Moran.

“I am truly delighted that my original Bill’s proposals are now being taken on by Government.

“I am absolutely delighted that I have been in a position to effect change and the fact that this Bill is now becoming part of Government legislation programme reflects the change that can happen from the Independent Alliance.”

Read: It’s official: You no longer have to perform a miracle to become a saint >

Read: Senior Tusla manager says there was no ‘liaison or collusion’ with gardaí on McCabe file >

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37 Comments
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    Mute Louise Coffey
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:13 PM

    “It’s women who let down other women.” For her to say that is amusing to me considering her public stance. And that fact that she is apparently the only Irish woman on the list is extremely disappointing. There are far better women, who better represent the women of Ireland that could have been put on that list.

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    Mute Heather Pender
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:28 PM

    Couldn’t have said it better myself Louise. Very disappointed in this choice as she does not represent me or any of the women I know

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    Mute Mary Flaherty
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:53 PM

    Well done to Cora and to the BBC for such an excellent choice.

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    Mute Flint N Drench
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:19 PM

    A bit pathetic that people who want abortion under all circumstances and can’t see how destructive that is can’t celebrate an honor given to an opponent.
    It’s not like Sherlock used the opportunity to slag you off.
    You’re a nobody, nobody, nobody and Cora Sherlock got chosen, it’s bitterness all round.

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    Mute Heather Pender
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:25 PM

    She is the only Irish woman chosen and so it will appear that she represents irish women which is incorrect

    In relation to the rest of your post you seem to have some pent up anger in relation to the word nobody (although maybe it’s just an echo in the batcave)

    148
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    Mute Louise Coffey
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:29 PM

    How on earth could I celebrate Coras listing when she is hellbent on stopping Irish women from accessing the healthcare that they require? How can I celebrate a woman who believes that not only I, but herself in turn, is a second class citizen by trying to deny women full bodily autonomy?

    I also don’t see where I slagged her off in my comment above. I stated opinion. I can’t agree with her listing. It’s not bitterness. It’s honesty. But like I expect from your type, you love to paint people with my point of view as bitter and hysterical. It just makes you look bad. It’s been done, and it’s tired at this stage.

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    Mute Diorai D
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:39 PM

    Cora , ignore them Ireland is an island of begrudgers and you get it on the double if you are a successful woman.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:47 PM

    It’s ok Diorai, we already know Cora ignores us. She ignore stories of women who have no regrets about their abortion, she ignores opinion polls, she ignores medical experts, she ignores results of democratic referendums, she ignores requests for straight answers to simple questions. Wait was it her expertise at ignoring stuff that got her on the list?

    161
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    Mute Diorai D
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:50 PM

    As I said Ireland is a nation of Ireland is an island of begrudgers.

    39
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    Mute Diorai D
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:56 PM

    ‘Backlash from Ireland’ – surely it should read backlash from the groupthink trolls on the Journal because the rest of the country including the Irish Times thinks it is great and she is great.

    https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/cora-sherlock-named-one-of-bbc-s-100-women-of-2014-1.1979717

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:09 PM

    Homophobic, transphobic and anti-choice. What a cocktail.

    ps No-one here has called for Cora to be censored.

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    Mute Louise Coffey
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:09 PM

    Excuse me, not to go off topic, but how are all of those people that you’ve listed messed up?

    And also, why bring it up? What has my being tolerant of the LGBTQ community got to do with this story?

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:13 PM

    @Heather Pender

    The BBC probably didn’t give the issue of whether or not she represents Irish women a moment’s thought.

    40
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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:16 PM

    @Louise Coffey

    What evidence is there that Cora is hell-bent on preventing Irish women from getting the health care that they need? She’s not like Mena Bean Uí Chribín, you know.

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:21 PM

    Well done Cora. Very proud of you.

    30
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    Mute Louise Coffey
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:38 PM

    @Ciarán. Her ‘Pro Life’ sentiment. Any woman that would deny another woman an abortion is denying that woman adequate healthcare.

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:04 PM

    Surprised and disappointed? I think the word you’re looking for Ms. Sherlock is deluded. Your opinion is that the choices and decisions of other women shouldn’t matter when it comes to their bodies and would gladly rob them of that choice. Yours is the only opinion that you believe matters.

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:20 PM

    @Graham Kavanagh

    And what choice does the unborn child have?

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    Mute Stephen Mc Elligott
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:26 PM

    two different strands of DNA and two different heartbeats are not the same body.

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    Mute Dublinguy2013
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:35 PM

    So you’re saying that when a women gets pregnant she has absolutely no rights with what’s happening in her own body?? Drag yourself into the 21st century. P.S love the way it’s mostly men saying abortion is wrong. They don’t have a clue.

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    Mute Stephen Mc Elligott
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:04 PM

    No I’m saying she hasn’t or shouldn’t have the right to kill another innocent human life. My sons are dependent on their mother to feed and clothe them as they grow, that doesn’t give her the right to kill them at any given time. Children are always dependent on the more responsible adult from day one this doesn’t give us the right to kill them regardless of whether we want to look after them or not. We are dealing with two human lives and bodies in a pregnancy not just one.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:10 PM

    They’re not dependent on their mother. They’re dependent on any responsible person capable of providing food and clothing. The state could do it, a relative could do it, a charity could do it. If she doesn’t want to feed and clothe them there are many options. For a woman who doesn’t want to be pregnant there is one.

    Furthermore in the case of organ donation you are dealing with two lives, with two bodies. The life and body of the donor and the life and body of the recipient. I’m on the international bone marrow registry. If someone needs my bone marrow I’ll get a letter in the post. If that was to happen it would be up to me whether or not to give that person bone marrow, regardless of whether that person’s life was at stake. Yet if I fell pregnant tomorrow I’d have that right instantly stripped from me.

    If I didn’t carry an organ donor card (which I do) and was to die in a car crash they’d still be unable to take my organs, corneas, skin, joints etc. without permission. A corpse has more rights in Ireland than a person with a uterus does.

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    Mute Dublinguy2013
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:12 PM

    But Stephen the women in that situation should be able to make their own choices and what’s best for them. It really shouldn’t concern anybody else.

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    Mute Stephen Mc Elligott
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:18 PM

    Yes but you have not intentionally killed another person by not giving your bone marrow and its easy to find someone who will say yes, I know because my wife was in need of one and they have worldwide banks with millions of donors everyday so I’ll doubt your marrow would be missed. Even though they are not dependent upon their mother after birth this still does not give anyone, mother or otherwise the right to terminate them at any given time before or after birth. Human life should be cared for and respected at all stages from beginning to end.

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    Mute Tony Le Blanc
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:18 PM

    Hear, hear Stephanie

    59
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    Mute Flint N Drench
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:21 PM

    Man telling woman not to have an opinion about destruction of unborn human beings because those unborn human beings are part of another person’s body.
    Don’t know where to start with that deluded mess of an argument Graham.

    51
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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:23 PM

    Actually it’s not easy to find someone who will say yes Stephen. Not if you have a rare tissue markers.

    It’s also hard to find liver donors as it’s a far more invasive surgery and again requires a close match. Still has less of a physical impact than pregnancy though. So if you needed my liver in the morning should I be held down and forced to give a piece to you?

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    Mute Stephen Mc Elligott
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:35 PM

    Wow what ignorance. The specialist told me there are tonnes of matches all over the world for my wife and not to worry should her sister refuse. Who should I believe, Stephanie or cancer specialist ? Hmm that’s a tough one. If only the specialist had consulted you Stephanie he’d know a lot more wouldn’t he? Oh you’ve failed at that and now your on to liver transplants. Doctor Stephanie is gonna give us all a lecture now. So Stephanie with that logic my two year old is dependent upon my body every day to wipe his nose and put food on the table, can I just abort him and discard of him how I please because after all it’s my body and I should be allowed to just kill him shouldn’t i just so I can get back into “shape”. Human life is human life and nobody should be given the right to intentionally kill another innocent human life at any stage.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:42 PM

    That’s a delightful string of sarcastic strawmen there stephen but I’ll address them this time.

    1. I specified rare tissue markers. Does your wife have rare tissue markers?

    2. You haven’t addressed liver transplants I note.

    3. I addressed your toddler argument already. Your toddler is dependent on any responsible adult. Anyone can do it. Tons of options. Women who don’t want to be pregnant have but one. When you invent foetus transplants come straight back to me. I’m sure Cora will be head of the line to volunteer.

    Lastly I’d love to know more about your reference to getting back into shape. Is that supposed to mean something?

    107
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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:56 PM

    Stephen.
    If a foetus is removed from the womb at 8 weeks, what happens?

    If it’s removed at 16 weeks, what happens?

    The reason there’s a 24 week limit is because when you remove a foetus at 24 weeks it’s possible for the baby to be cared for outside of the womb. Prior to this, and at the other two stages I asked you about removal means certain death.

    A woman who wants an abortion simply wants the foetus removed from her body because of the effects of will have on her, the death is an unfortunate but unavoidable side effect – so comparing it to a toddler is highly dishonest.
    Anyone can care for a born child.

    88
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    Mute Stephen Mc Elligott
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:02 PM

    But pregnancy is unique to the toddler argument or any argument you make so your fallacious analysis is useless. With pregnancy there should only ever be one option promoted and that’s to let the baby live and then offer it up for adoption. To teach mothers to value human life, to choose life for their babies not death. It’s an awful poverty that people would murder a child just so they may live as they wish. I just could never comprehend a woman looking at her unique baby on the monitor kicking around and sucking his/her thumb and thinking “nah I still wanna kill “it” as I’m just not quite ready yet” and see that as a good “choice” I say killing another human being should never be a choice we should advocate and we should do everything to protect life in all its stages. I was pro life before I became a Christian, I remember my ex girlfriend wanting an abortion, until she saw the baby on the monitor kicking around full of life and then she saw the light, but to think there are some people out there who would murder all the way up to 9monthd without a care in the world and even seeing them on the screen and still wanting to kill the child inside them makes me sick and realise some people are so evil they are beyond redemption . I’m sorry I’m off now because I feel really sick thinking about this stuff it’s hard for me.

    33
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    Mute Noel C
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:03 PM

    You’re not comparing like with like. Choosing not to save a persons life, and intentionally ending their life, are two different things.

    41
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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:06 PM

    Forcing a person to give their body for the life of another against their will is what we’re talking about.

    79
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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:26 PM

    Stephen.
    I find your assumptions on the reasons women choose abortion to be grossly offensive.

    There are many health conditions for which pregnancy acts as an accelerant. Pregnancy itself also comes with a list of risks which vary from woman to woman. The fact that you think the only option should be for a woman to have to take on all of these risks – in spite of her best efforts to avoid getting pregnant to start with (yes, contraception fails, no – women who do not wish to parent should not have to remain celibate their entire lives) simply because of YOUR feelings on the subject is sickening.

    Women are more than just baby makers. We are human beings too, and your need control over our bodies is not welcome.

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:36 PM

    @stephen judging by that deluge of sanctimonious & patronising drivel you have just spewed onto this forum, it would appear that as you point out, thinking about stuff is indeed difficult for you

    75
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    Mute Noel C
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    Oct 29th 2014, 1:13 AM

    Give their body? What does that mean?
    That’s just 9 months of the equation. There are years after that.
    And it’s nature that has imposed that, not any state or government.
    If you want to compare pregnancy to organ donation them think of it this way.
    You have a medical condition called pregnancy…..The state not providing an abortion is akin to you not donating bone marrow. Correct ?

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    Mute Enda O Brien
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    Oct 29th 2014, 4:00 AM

    The reason a lot of men are anti choice is because they have no legal recourse in a pro choice country.so a woman they may not even know would be able to unilaterally murder thier son or daughter regardless of thier wishes.in an anti choice country if they dont wantba child they can chose to wear a condom if they do they can choose not to wear one.so from a mans perspective pro choice is taking thier ability to choose and handing it over entirely to women.It may be selfish but no more selfish pro choice is for women.oh and im pro choice by the way so dont insta bash me just pointing out the fact men have a lot more than a clue.

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    Mute Enda O Brien
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    Oct 29th 2014, 4:03 AM

    So a father shouldnt be concerned for his kids?

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    Mute Gráinne O'Brien
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    Oct 29th 2014, 7:14 AM

    There’s the problem your Christian, the most backward religion. Down trodding women for centuries as were still not seen as equal in there eyes!!

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    Mute Jene Hinds Kelly
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:59 PM

    Everyone holds personal opinion based on our own experiences, thoughts, biases, and influences but I don’t believe that our personal opinion should form the basis of laws which have implications for women. I fully support Cora’s right to her opinion but I do not believe that her opinion, or those like her, are more important than my own. I am a smart woman who makes good choices. I believe in women, support women, trust women to make decisions for themselves.

    Those who campaign on repealing the 8th Amendment do so for the right for women to make the best decision for her in her circumstances.

    I do not believe that campaigning to prevent women from making her own decisions is ‘supporting women’.

    The 8th Amendment affects many areas of maternal health. For women to have the freedom to make the decision to have a safe and legal abortion but also the freedom to continue her pregnancy. It also affects decisions on care she receives in pregnancy, labour and birth.

    40.3.3 not only affects abortion but women’s right to informed consent in her maternity care. The Irish National Consent Policy directly cites article 40.3.3 – eroding informed consent, informed refusal of medical treatments and also women’s care options on where/how/with whom they give birth.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:04 PM

    Hear, hear. IMO people who oppose abortion under all circumstances but do support a woman’s right to choose how she gives birth should also be campaigning to repeal the 8th.

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    Mute Diorai D
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:12 PM

    Bit of a non story but it is great to see human rights campaigners like Cora acknowledged .

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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:46 PM

    Wow Jene, you got to say “women” seven times in one comment. I always believed it takes two to tango. A wise woman once said to me “it takes a man to make a woman”.

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    Mute CMac59
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:59 PM

    Jene, look at the plight of many single mums – their choice was not intelligent. Poverty and a life of disadvantage and more relationships with men who depart once baby is on the way.

    Not fair on childrens given the social and financial problems that follow. No intelligence about relationships and many relationships they do enter become abusive and that is bad for the children.

    Such women should use contraceptives given their promiscuous life style choice. Men just exploit such loose women.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:12 PM

    1953 called, they want their opinions back.

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    Mute Kelly Davis-Jordan
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:15 PM

    Double standards there CMac, it takes two to tango. Why are the women who are bringing up their children ‘loose’ for having sex but the men who get them pregnant and sometimes leave them are not? How on earth do you know anything about the choices or lives of single parents? What about the single parents who are men? Do you judge them by the same standards? Guaranteed just as you condemn single mothers as ‘loose’ you would also condemn them if they chose to have an abortion. All you are really interested in doing is controlling the sex lives and choices of women.

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    Mute Mary Flaherty
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:28 PM

    Green eyed monster brigade out in strength.

    29
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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:33 PM

    Cmac,
    Are you sure they weren’t using contraception? It can fail you know.

    I’ve always found the negativity around single mums quite ironic given that they actually gave birth – they didn’t abort, they kept the baby like the good little pro life country wanted them to – so why are they vilified for doing so?

    Almost seems as though they’re pro life, until the baby is born.. Then they’re judgemental and harsh toward those who don’t have the means to raise the baby they kept.

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    Mute Ashling Smith
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    Oct 29th 2014, 7:00 AM

    “Men just exploit such loose women”…-and therein lies the problem surely….’intelligent’ men. Hrmph, I rest my case.

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    Mute Paul McCann
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    Oct 29th 2014, 12:03 PM

    Idiotic and abusive to women comment. Typical Christian.

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    Mute CMac59
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    Oct 29th 2014, 11:11 PM

    My observation was true. The Childrens’ court is full of children brought up without a father figure. I accept there are single fathers but the issue is that women get pregnant men don’t; those who father children should support them. But that hope is Utopian.

    Some single mothers have children from a variety of fathers. This is not good for the family unit and the stability children need. Best if they had taken contraception.

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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 29th 2014, 11:55 PM

    Cmac
    With respect, that’s a rather large assumption you are making there.

    Yes, sometimes women and men forget to use contraception, but if a child was not desired it’s a mistake no one with adequate brain capacity makes more than once.

    Has it ever occurred to you that some of those women with children from different partners actually planned the child with the father and then the relationship broke down?

    When you enter a relationship you don’t have a magic way of knowing what the future holds. Relationships break down, you start anew with fresh hope and it breaks down again. You wind up with children by different partners.. It’s because we don’t force people to marry when they get pregnant and then trap them in unworkable relationships anymore.

    There’s nothing to say that all lone parents are raising children from an unintended pregnancy. Our even that a majority are, aside from assumption that is.

    I do agree though, there are some cases where a parent deserts the person they made plans to raise children with – in those cases yes, they should pay.
    And until we give women the option to terminate a pregnancy in this country, then no man should be able to walk away from his responsibilities either.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:06 PM

    You should have asked her about her opinions of the amazing woman who was also listed, Dr. Rebecca Gomperts founder of Women on Waves who provides safe abortions to thousands of women worldwide. A service necessitated by bans that Cora supports, bans that kill hundreds of thousands of women worldwide every year.

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:14 PM

    @Stephanie Fleming

    Pro-life campaigners such as Cora Sherlock don’t oppose life-saving treatment for a pregnant woman even if it happens to cause the death of the unborn child because the aim of the treatment is to save, not take, lives, i.e. the principle of double-effect. For goodness sake, Ireland is not like El Salvador, Nicaragua or Chile. Furthermore, it is possible to end pregnancy early without killing the unborn child, i.e. Caesarean section.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:28 PM

    So they do support abortion in certain circumstances?

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:33 PM

    Administering life-saving treatment where the death of the unborn child is incidental is not abortion. If you study the principle of double-effect you’ll understand.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:36 PM

    I don’t study the principles of 13th century theologians when studying best medical practice. It’s called a therapeutic abortion. Is that what pro-life campaigners support?

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    Mute Sinéad Redmond
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:38 PM

    “The principle of double-effect” is a theological distinction coming from Thomas Aquinas not a medical definition. The medical definition of what you’re talking about is a termination of pregnancy or an abortion.

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    Mute Maria Mhic Mheanmain
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:54 PM

    Termination of pregnancy is not the same as abortion Sinead. I had to have a termination of pregnancy to save my life back in 2005. She nearly died due to complications of prematurity. But she rallied and is a healthy nine year old today. Had she died it still would not have been an abortion.
    Incidentially I have had six terminations of pregnancy since and all but one have resulted in a life birth.
    Termination of pregnancy does not mean terminating a babies life!

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:02 PM

    It’s like proteins and enzymes Maria. Not all proteins are enzymes but all enzymes are proteins. Not all pregnancy terminations are abortions but all abortions are terminations.

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    Mute Superfriends
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:12 PM

    I think you are all missing the point of the article… Twitter victim brigade’s daily outrage. Wait until tomorrow until they find someone else to wag their fingers at.

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    Mute Maria Mhic Mheanmain
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:16 PM

    Stephanie, I was responding to Sinead’s comment “termination of pregnant or abortion” implying they are the same thing.

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    Mute Flint N Drench
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:23 PM

    Aaah, Stephanie, just deal with it, you weren’t chosen, you never will be chosen. The BBC don’t care what you think, they do care what Cora thinks.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:24 PM

    I’m aware of that. That’s not what she was implying. She was referencing the same thing I said in my comment.

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    Mute Flint N Drench
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:36 PM

    Nice to see the Theophobes out tonight, you love abortion so much you want to call something that clearly and logically isn’t an abortion … an abortion. How disturbed must you be to be out worshiping abortion at that level.

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    Mute Flint N Drench
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:38 PM

    You are wrong there because you forget the intention is all important. More likely you don’t forget rather it just doesn’t suit our preconceived notions.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:45 PM

    Actually it doesn’t suit standard medical practice. Medical definitions do not change with intention. It’s not “logically” an abortion – it is factually an abortion. If you care to show me a medical text that says it’s not an abortion I’ll certainly take a look.

    And I’m not a theophobe, take care with your assumptions.

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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:59 PM

    Actually – if you present at the maternity hospital with a miscarriage the medical term is “spontaneous abortion”

    The term “termination” merely means end – the point in gestation would determine whether or not it resulted in a live birth.

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    Mute Nick Beard
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:30 PM

    The offence of procuring an abortion doesn’t require intent (otherwise any woman who believes a foetus has no personhood would be immune), nor does the medical definition of an abortion.

    So legally an intent is irrelevant and medically intent is irrelevant. Theologically, it does, but why should anyone but the devoutly religious (like Cora) care?

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    Mute Maria Mhic Mheanmain
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    Oct 29th 2014, 8:09 AM

    Actually the offense of abortion does require intent. Otherwise all those life saving interventions that resulted in the death of the unborn (4 in 2012 in the Rotunda according to Sam Coulter smith) would have fell foul of the law.

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    Mute Nick Beard
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    Oct 29th 2014, 9:21 AM

    It does, if you ever read the Offences Against the Person Act. There’s just a general decision never to prosecute such cases. Did you even bother to read the legislation to inform yourself? It’s a strict liability offence.

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    Mute Maria Mhic Mheanmain
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    Oct 30th 2014, 9:31 PM

    There is a general decision not to prosecute precisely because intention is the issue.

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:47 PM

    “Just because you have a difference of opinion, that opinion shouldn’t be stifled.”
    Funny, I thought that’s exactly what the 8th Amendment is for??

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    Mute Padriag O'Traged
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:37 PM

    Nailed it

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    Mute Emma Flynn
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    Oct 29th 2014, 12:33 AM

    Exactly what I was thinking. Yet another example of contradictory logic.

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    Mute Flint N Drench
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    Oct 29th 2014, 9:51 AM

    Funny, you’d be very wrong. Have you ever tried reading what it says?

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    Mute just readin
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:22 PM

    ‘Just because you have a difference of opinion, that opinion shouldn’t be stifled.’

    Finally admitted that her opinion is just that, and not that other stuff from the heavens …

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    Mute Darragh Kelly-Murtagh
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:07 PM

    If anything this shows the appetite for a proper change and the introduction of pro choice. She might not want to accept it but there it is

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    Mute Mary Flaherty
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:14 PM

    Well done to Ms. Sherlock on being named one of BBC’s 100 Women of 2014.

    It was a real achievement and well deserved.

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    Mute Cornelius Talmadge
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:25 PM

    How clueless is the tweet from “Siobhan”? She is outraged because Sherlock “does not represent me”. Who gave her the idea that *any* of the women on BBC’s list were meant to represent her? Furthermore, it would be impossible for all of the women on the list to represent her (or any individual), given that they deliberately pick people with a range of views – some of which directly conflict with each other.

    I am not opposed to abortion (within appropriate limits), but “pro choice” campaigners really need to take a look at themselves. It’s got to the stage where they seem to think that no one is allowed to disagree with them. Ironically, they want to deny women (and men) the right to choose what opinion to hold on this issue.

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    Mute David Cullen
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:30 PM

    She is going to the only woman from Ireland

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    Mute David Cullen
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:36 PM

    ……. And her view is that women in Ireland should not have the same choice that the rest of the western world has. She tries to help the unborn but not the woman so why is she on this list. I’m sure she believe 100% that not letting woman have a choice is best for them

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:31 PM

    No least likely of all the possible reasons …..Why would BBC want publicity in Ireland when it is in virtually every house in Ireland already maith an fear PP

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    Mute Cornelius Talmadge
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    Oct 29th 2014, 3:23 AM

    The fact that she’s the only woman from Ireland doesn’t mean she’s been selected to “represent” Ireland! It’s not the Olympic Games! It’s just a selection of influential women.

    Why is she on the list? Because she’s influential, on one of the most topical and polarising issues out there right now.

    Why do you think she shouldn’t be on the list? Because you disagree with her? If so, you don’t actually understand what the purpose of the list is!

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:19 PM

    I am baffled as to how Niamh Puirséil (see tweet above) thinks that deliberately causing the death of unborn children is progressive.

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    Mute Peter Pan
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:32 PM

    This is how it goes around here…. Pro choice is liberal, progressive. Pro life is conservative and backward.

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    Mute Sheik Yahbouti
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:09 PM

    How could it be greeted with anything other than disbelief and derision.? “other women ” have not let her down. She has let down other women.

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    Mute Paddy Scully
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:21 PM

    Congrats Cora. Your views and hard work is appreciated by many, including the many who have life in this country because of you, and your compatriats. I wonder how many of those slagging you here would themselves have been aborted, had 40.03.03 not been enacted.
    We were always good at begrudgery as a nation, only the targets and modus operandi change.

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    Mute Gráinne O'Brien
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    Oct 29th 2014, 7:23 AM

    Dunno who cora and she is not the reason why im here!! is im here because my parents wanted an off spring , my mother was ready and they planned!

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    Mute Thomas Mac
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    Oct 29th 2014, 11:24 AM

    We were much better at putting guilt on a person ..One of the great ones that were recited on us as kids was :”You’ll spend an eternity in hell!” . lol

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    Mute Rebecca
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:08 PM

    The funny thing about choice is… You can choose whether you do something or not.

    Abortion doesn’t force anyone to do anything that that woman doesn’t want to do, for whatever reason she wishes to.

    This is becoming a tired argument between two polar-opposite campaigns.

    At the end of the day, if I needed an abortion, for whatever reason, I can legally travel to the UK.

    The difference is, I won’t shove it in anyone’s face as propaganda or scaremongering when I come home.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:12 PM

    It’s great that you can travel but it’s important to remember that many can’t.

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    Mute Rebecca
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:14 PM

    And that’s wrong.. Women should be afforded the right to choice in their own area, especially in medical emergencies.

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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:08 PM

    Forcing women to travel causes problems with safety.

    1. Having to save up necessitates later term abortions which come with more complications.
    2. Even if she has an emergency fund and gets there early, if the medical abortion is incomplete, then her ability to return to have it completed is impeded by her need to return home, this can lead to women bleeding out in taxis or on the plane, or even sepsis.

    If the woman could access abortion quickly and easily here, then she would also have access to maternal health care should something go wrong (as rare as it may be, nothing is 100% safe).

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    Mute Myles Duffy
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:24 PM

    That is an excellent honour that is not overshadowed by the shrill Hallow’een shrieks of synthetic anger drifting from the pill-popping miserable sisterhood of perpetual frustration. Take a bow! The tail never wags the dog.

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    Mute Dungeon Master
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:21 PM

    I couldn’t be more surprised if Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made it onto the BBC’s list, thankfully it means nothing, nice on the CV though.

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    Mute Alien8
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    Oct 29th 2014, 8:43 AM

    It certainly looks more credible than property and financial solicitor, when getting fellow catholic sharia proponents to be their spokesperson.

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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:19 PM

    Congratulations on your accolades Cora – please, enjoy them.

    I would however like to ask a question.
    As a solicitor, who has more training on legalese than myself – how was it that in spite of all us pro choicers explaining to you ad infinitum here that the Protection of life in Pregnancy Act would not mean terminations up until 9 months, and that the 8th amendment meant that once the foetus was viable it would be delivered rather than aborted – why did the organization you represent and advise think it prudent to display the following lie to as many people as they could?
    http://cf.broadsheet.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/90348563.jpg

    We know for a fact this is not how the law works. We always knew, but the Miss Y case merely proved what those on the pro choice side kept telling you all along.. Why was it that you did not point out to your organisation that they had misinterpreted the law and were in fact lying to make their case?

    As for abortion not curing suicidal feelings, please point out where anyone other than the pro life lobby has ever asserted anything of the sort. If a woman is suicidal because she is pregnant then the law applies to her. If she’s suicidal for any other reason, it doesn’t.

    Of course – you’re the one with the qualifications, which is why I find it so unusual that you of all people would need this explained to you, one would almost think it was done on purpose to manipulate the agreement of those with less understanding of the subject..

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    Mute Catherine McMahon
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:48 PM

    Congratulations Cora! An award well deserved.

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    Mute Troyman
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:31 PM

    Pro choice = pro slaughter of innocent stomach babies

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    Mute Joanna
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:33 PM

    Stomach babies sound creepy =o

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    Mute David Cullen
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:38 PM

    I think pro life people should offer to adopt the babies of women who plan to go to England for an abortion

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    Mute Troyman
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:44 PM

    You mean put them up for adoption, loads of couples crying out for adopting children

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    Mute David Cullen
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:45 PM

    No they should adopt them they themselves or foster them

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    Mute Mary Flaherty
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    Oct 28th 2014, 9:51 PM

    I would love to adopt another child.

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    Mute Jene Hinds Kelly
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:02 PM

    You mean force a woman to continue a pregnancy when she does not want to be pregnant?

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    Mute Diorai D
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:17 PM

    Interesting the number of people who are happy to end the life of a defenceless child.

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    Mute Loop De Loop
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:43 PM

    More horrifying than interesting. Baying for blood.

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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:04 PM

    Adoption isn’t about the couples who want babies.
    And yes – there are loads crying out for babies, but the older children in care and in orphanages, well.. they’re not so interested in them are they?

    Adoption is carried out with the best interest of the child at the centre. So first refusal always goes to the immediate family. This, coupled with all the checks and balances prospective parents must satisfy is why they don’t tend to get babies that often.

    This is not a reason to force women who do not wish to remain pregnant to do so.

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Oct 29th 2014, 12:53 AM

    Funny thing about most members of the pro-life lobby is that they are big advocates of adoption yet few if any of them are willing to adopt and most are opposed to allowing gay people to adopt, even in allegedly secular groups like Pro-Life Campaign.

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    Mute Tayto Blaaah
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    Oct 29th 2014, 2:02 AM

    I am pro life David and I would love if Gay people were allowed to adopt as I find they are some of the most caring people I have come across!

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    Mute Thomas Mac
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    Oct 29th 2014, 11:30 AM

    And there’s loads of young girls/women who don’t want to carry on with a pregnancy .. Their body which equals their choice . Whether you agree with it or not .

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    Mute Ger Kelly
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:30 PM

    As soon as this country pulls itself out of the dark ages the pro choice and pro life campaigners will disappear just like what happened when divorce was passed in the country. I cannot for the life of me think that there will ever be a very casual and lax abortion on demand scenario in this country nor do I see a complete ban on abortion. Realistically the 8th will be repealed and women will be treated correctly in this country and do not have to travel to the uk. I do not think it’s helpful to place either a pro choice or pro life campaigner in a top 100 as it does not help the situation that women face in this country. There will be a referendum eventually and unfortunately the battle lines are drawn at the extremes of each campaign

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 29th 2014, 12:33 AM

    PP we have abortion here except it takes place in the UK

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    Mute Laura Sherlock
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:28 PM

    Congratulations Cora, an excellent choice made by BBC. Nice to see so many supportive messages all though the day also. Well deserved!!!

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    Mute Nick Beard
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:40 PM

    Are you related to Cora, by any chance?

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    Mute Laura Sherlock
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    Oct 29th 2014, 12:03 AM

    Thanks for taking an interest in who I may be related to Nicky☺️however It’s not relevant and with the greatest respect none of your business.. As I said excellent choice by the BBC.

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    Mute Alison Spittle
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    Oct 29th 2014, 1:16 AM

    That’s a yes then.

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    Mute Nick Beard
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    Oct 29th 2014, 9:24 AM

    It strikes me as a bit sad if the only people she can get who agree with her are fringe Youth Defenders and her siblings…

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    Mute Laura Sherlock
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    Oct 29th 2014, 1:05 PM

    That’s a ‘none of your business’ Alison, with the greatest respect of course. Nicolette don’t be bitter now. Be happy. Don’t worry, I’m sure the BBC can find something for you to talk about if they look really hard. Ladies the BBC made the best choice and you are all about choice right??? I guess you’re just going to have to deal with it. Have a super day ☺️

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    Mute Marion Murphy
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    Oct 29th 2014, 4:51 PM

    It is your democratic CHOICE & right not to disclose if you’re related to Cora or not but unfortunately pro-aborts only respect CHOICES they deem worthy & nobody dare make a CHOICE that opposes their agenda. A de ja vu of the communists in the USSR.

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    Mute Bridget
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    Oct 29th 2014, 10:30 PM

    Well done Cora.

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 28th 2014, 10:45 PM

    Please please please only pick a woman that agrees with me

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:08 PM

    Is that not basically the problem here ? She who i do not agree with is picked….like does it really matter if someone of a contrary opinion is picked ? surely this is what debate is about or am I missing something ?

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    Mute CMac59
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:09 PM

    Pontius Pilate Maria Cahill was in the IRA. She supported their kangaroo courts against others. She would have done as told by the IRA and I doubt if she cited democracy. Her assailants were put on trial but she refused to testify. There is apolitical opportunism in all of this though I feel sorry for her. But the crime was done in another jurisdiction. We should focus on crime in our state which is endemic.

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:10 PM

    PP you are the bot…this is a post about Cora Sherlock and you bring in a different issue

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:12 PM

    By the way are you still calling people names when they disagree with you ? Pontius you must be feeling a bit insecure that this is not going the way you would have liked..

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:23 PM

    PP there is a Prosecution Service review in the North into the police investigation into Maria’s claims which Sinn Fein welcomed and that was announced earlier today..so you are a wee bit behind, nothing new there i guess you been behind that is nothing new

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    Mute Marion Murphy
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:15 PM

    The reason why feminism isn’t taken seriously today in the 21st century is because of sheer begrudgery. So the only women who deserve to be awarded in the eyes of ALLEGED liberals are only delusional leftie pro-aborts. Pro-aborts who are continuously ignore how abortion has been used & continues to be used as the ideal weapon for covering-up sex abuse & rape in the UK by the likes of the notorious Jimmy Savile, Dr. Salmon & others involved in the Rotherham scandal.

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    Mute Stephanie Fleming
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    Oct 28th 2014, 11:27 PM

    You know Cora Sherlock calls herself a feminist right?

    ps Pro-choice people are against forced abortion and are pro-adoption, birth, abortion or a fourth option no-one has thought of. The hint is in the word “choice”.

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    Mute Marion Murphy
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    Oct 29th 2014, 4:58 PM

    Cora Sherlock is unique in ref to true feminism. It was under the banner of choice in the UK that abortion was introduced but realistically it is frequently FORCED. I am pro-choice when choosing a career in life, choosing to marry or purchasing a car but am opposed to people havinng the freedom of choice to sexually abuse, rape, abort a human being in utero. Favouring the passing of the Lisbon Treaty was defined as pro-Lisbon just as favouring the passing of abortion legislation is pro-abortion.

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    Mute Cephas
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    Oct 29th 2014, 3:21 AM

    A woman of huge drive and success! Realistically she has mobilised a unit which could see the repeal of abortion legislation in Ireland that would leave the country standing alone from it Western European counterparts! No small feat and she deserves the recognition.

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    Mute Alien8
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    Oct 29th 2014, 8:57 AM

    And all done with zero funding from outside interested parties or dodgy religious groups!

    How come no one had asked what the criteria was for this list – tweets, nominations, mentions in the paper?

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    Mute Shanti
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    Oct 30th 2014, 12:05 AM

    You realise that abortion is only legal here to save the woman’s life – right?

    And you want that to be repealed?

    As for the suicide provision, I’m afraid that’s constitutional, and we are obliged to legislate for our own constitution as per A,B & C vs Ireland
    The X Case ruling is binding on all courts, not just that – but the people were asked to remove this clause by referendum and 60% said no. They also voted to allow women access to information on abortion overseas as well as the right to travel.

    The government stuck to the absolute letter of the law on this one. They wouldn’t even permit circumstances like Savita’s or TFMR in, in case the pro life lobby tried to challenge it, which it appears they are.. Just as well their American sponsors have deep pockets.

    Mind you, you are arguing to return to a situation where ending a pregnancy to save the woman’s life is technically both legal and illegal at the same time. Which is appalling legal precedent that even a lay person can see. It’s doomed to failure, but by all means, waste as much money as you like at it..

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    Mute Carah:3
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    Oct 29th 2014, 10:07 AM

    I doubt the 12 women every day who are forced to leave their country to get an abortion they need would see her as fighting for equality. It’s disgusting she was even considered, especially after the events in Ireland over the last 2 years. Is the death of Savita Halappanavar and the utter violation of Miss Y (which happened because of anti choice campaigners along with the catholic church restricting reproductive rights) considered equality?

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    Mute Helen Murphy Guinane
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    Oct 29th 2014, 11:38 AM

    Twitter hashtag #100Irishwomen2014 to nominate or read about inspirational Irish women, some of whom are actually involved in advocacy, not just ridiculous sound bites that mean nothing such as our BBC representative!

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    Mute Tehmina Kazi
    Favourite Tehmina Kazi
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    Oct 29th 2014, 1:29 PM

    She is the only Irish woman on the list, but there is another who is married to an Irishman i.e. me!

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    Mute Caoimhin O Hailpin
    Favourite Caoimhin O Hailpin
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    Oct 29th 2014, 6:27 PM

    Well done nd good luck

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    Mute Tehmina Kazi
    Favourite Tehmina Kazi
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    Oct 30th 2014, 8:39 PM

    Thank you!

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    Mute Benny benson
    Favourite Benny benson
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    Oct 29th 2014, 7:04 PM

    She is obviously smarter than the people who oppose she knows the unorn is a human with an undeniable right to life. Roll on yere red thumbs. Congratulations BBC and Cora

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    Mute Nelly Bergman
    Favourite Nelly Bergman
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    Oct 29th 2014, 11:04 AM

    It is a quality trolling from BBC, Brits are fed up with legions of Irish women taking up beds intended for Brits (even though it’s a paid service). I applaud BBC for it.
    http://worldabortionlaws.com/map/ – we are aligned with with human rights champion – the continent of Africa.

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