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THE WORLD HAS reacted to Ireland’s strong vote in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment, with a few outlets commenting on its significance in the context of the Papal visit in August.
A number of international media were in attendance to report on Ireland’s vote in favour of liberalising its laws relating to abortion.
Roscommon also got a few mentions for voting in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment, after it was the only constituency to vote against same-sex marriage.
Among the media at Dublin Castle today were the Press Association, international news agency AFP, the BBC and other European media.
For the second time in two days, Ireland’s referendum has made the top story on the Guardian’s home page.
It said that Ireland had voted ‘Yes’ “in unexpectedly large numbers to abolish the Eighth Amendment”.
It also pointed out the proximity of the result to the Pope’s visit in a few months, time, and said that the ‘Repeal’ vote also pointed a spotlight on Northern Ireland.
Victory for the yes side means that the only part of the United Kingdom and Ireland where abortion remains banned in almost all circumstances is Northern Ireland.
International news agency AFP noted the significance of the timing of the referendum result – three months before Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families.
The result is another hammer blow to the Roman Catholic Church’s authority in Ireland, coming three years after referendum voters backed legalising same-sex marriage by 62%.
They also had an interview with a woman called Eileen Shields, who told them “We made history”.
She said she was ostracised by her friends and the Church when she got pregnant outside of marriage as a teenager 46 years ago.
‘I’m here because I’m 65 and in 1972 Ireland wasn’t a nice place to be when you were 18 and pregnant and on your own,’ she told AFP.
French newspaper Le Monde reported that “the referendum on abortion was likely to divide Ireland”, but instead it “united the country” as the ‘Yes’ vote was “massive and unexpected”.
It reported:
Strategist and figurehead of the ‘yes’ campaign for years, Ailbhe Smyth, a 71-year-old retired French university professor, welcomed Ireland’s ”definitive break with a history of which was really hard for women.
“My heart is full of pride and relief for women, men, for Ireland,” she added.
US site Vox reported that ”the 8th Amendment to Ireland’s constitution is one of the most draconian abortion restrictions in the developed world”.
It also commented on the referendum result in the context of the Catholic Church.
Pro-repeal sentiment was especially strong among young and urban voters, suggesting that a new left-leaning and secular majority had supplanted the more conservative Catholic older generation.
Fox News reported that the referendum is “a landmark in Irish women’s fight for abortion rights”.
They quoted Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Children Katherine Zappone, and Save The 8th spokesperson John McGuirk, on their reaction to the results.
Al Jazeera reported that Ireland had “voted overwhelmingly to liberalise the country’s strict abortion laws”. They quoted interviews with two people:
The results of the exit poll were surprising to Maria Jones, who had anticipated the margin being ‘very tight’. However, her prediction that ‘a lot of the older people will probably vote No’ had been correct.
On the other hand, Robert Kennedy expected all along there would be a ‘Yes’ majority. Robert believes it’s time for change and that women deserve ‘the right to choose for themselves’.
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I voted yes and will still go to mass in the morning
@Free comment ratings: like many people I’m sure ..
@Free comment ratings: you won’t be alone for sure but I don’t follow the logic
@Free comment ratings: I don’t follow. You go against the teachings of your church at the ballot box and then post on social media about it. Maybe everything the church teaches is a pile of shite and not just the bits you cherry pick to suit your beliefs?
@Free comment ratings: There’s going to be some bollicking given out in the churches tomorrow.
@Free comment ratings: How much did the plenary indulgence cost?
@Free comment ratings: you’re not to take the bread unless you go to the confession box first.
@Free comment ratings: why?
@Steve Monk: I voted yes so that women who are not Catholic are free to choose? I can still be a good Catholic as I choose, I would want anyone else to dictate my religion because they don’t believe in it.
@Free comment ratings: *wouldn’t
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: you’ll hear the lord request his disciples to urge people to heed his commandments
@Condorcanqui: Matthew 10:14. Preach, and if you don’t receive a warm welcome, shake the dust off your feet as you leave the town. Jesus always accepted there would be those who didn’t heed his message, and while he said they would have to face Our Lord on their day of reckoning, he never said they should be forced to live by his commandments. It is possible to live by the word of God and aspire to Jesus’ way without forcing others to. They have a choice…..that’s how you can be a Catholic and have voted yes – choice.
@John Murphy: I wouldn’t think so, the church will talk to their flock and have them put the pressure on politicians knocking at the doors for votes very soon to influence the legislation.
@Patrick J. O’Rourke: ,??,,. Idiot
@Condorcanqui: I voted yes, and right or wrong Gog gave me freewill and if you have faith and believe like I do, “but not in organised religion” God is about love and forgiveness and although we may do wrongs in our life as he gave us freewill do to so, he will always forgive us. And if you are an atheist I very much respect you for your choice, and I would appreciate you respect mine.
@The IMF are here: are you talking about the made up fella that rose from the dead and feed everyone …. great cult
I voted yes and I will never go to any mass or its likes again.
@Free comment ratings: So you are a committed hypocrite.
@John Murphy: No mention of the Referendum in my Church this morning.
@Free comment ratings: it’s not a question of religion , it’s natural law and common sense you can not kill human beings!!!
For such a tiny country we’re pretty darn influential. Smoking Ban, Same Sex Marriage and today. It’s a country I’m proud of that’s moving rapidly so far away from where we were in the 70’s and 80’s. I’m now proud to bring my children up in such a beautiful country.
@Olive whyte: Although your heart is in the right place, I’m afraid the only thing we were inspirational on was the smoking ban. Same Sex marriage wasn’t that rare outside Ireland beforehand and the draconian 8th amendment had us marked as a horribly backward repressor of women’s rights compared to Western countries.
Nonetheless, there is reason to be proud of the results this weekend. We are going in the right direction. But we can’t let our pride blind us on how backward we still may be in other areas.
@Olive whyte: I am all for choice. I work in an abortion clinic in UK and came across many Irish women very angry that they had to travel for healthcare.
@Colm A. Corcoran: Not to mention our still-present blasphemy law!
@Colm A. Corcoran: what did Bertie once say?? “A lot done, more to do”. We’re getting there. No country is perfect.
@Olive whyte: .
don’t forget the 15¢ plastic bag charge. .
@Talbot O’Meara: 22 cent, ‘‘twas always 22c
@Olive whyte: If your finished patting yourself on the back , you might take time to ponder why there was a ban on divorce contraception and abortion in the first place and why it took so long to remove them from the constitution when the rest of the civilized world had done so 50 or 100 years ago, it`s nothing to be proud about . It`s embarrassing
@Jerriko17: How dare you. That is highly insulting to women. To think the decision to have an abortion is made so flippantly. The pill they would “pop” as you say induces a miscarriage and having suffered a miscarriage myself I can tell you it’s not something you would want to go through repeatedly just for the craic. Please have some respect
@Colm A. Corcoran: You’re pretty wrong there. Ireland was the first country in the world to vote for gay marriage by popular vote.
@Olive whyte: I think Bertie meant “a lot of stroking done, a lot more to do”
@Caireann Rua: totally agree. ..it is insulting to most women and men & I’m speaking as a father of a miscarried baby . but not to those who use abortion as a contraceptive. …..some women DO make the decision flippantly and care not a jot about going through the procedure and if you think all abortions are carried out for “good” reasons..you’re sadly mistaken.
@Olive whyte: I’m not sure who we’ve influenced today?
There are cases that for medical reasons abortion is required. Outside that there’s so many variations of contraceptions and last resort the morning after pill. We as a nation will end more lives than pain & suffering we’ll save by repealing. We’ve dealt with the ‘hard cases’ but unfortunately we’ve also just introduced abortion as a contraceptive.
It’s not a women’s rights issue as some think, it’s a human rights issue.
@Jack Jackson: yeah because it had to be voted in here, it didn’t need to be in other countries, lots of other countries had ssm but we still give ourselves massive pats on the back
@Nellysexyolsen: your all for choice! I wonder why #workhistory
@Nellysexyolsen: abortion is not health care.
@Jerriko17: you’re a pea brain sized flute! Because there are so many women who treat their bodies like vending machines out there of course. And if there were, it wouldn’t be any if my business anyway. you just make it your business because you’re a typical religious nut-self righteous, arrogant and judgemental. Ultimately you people are miserable as you’re bitter in a world that is passing you by. Good luck to ya!
@Colm A. Corcoran: we were the first to bring in same sex marriage by popular vote, that’s his point. A lot of countries wouldn’t have it if they had made the decision by voting.
Euthanasia next and a drug policy like portugal. Liberation all the way, why stop now, Go Ireland!
@Sean Thornton: Death with dignity, a wonderful idea. I watched my own father suffer immensely 14 years ago and ultimately die in agony. Isn’t choice a wonderful thing. At least a dog would be put down. We can live in hope!
@Sean Thornton: Good idea. Maybe rhey could be the next big issues we can sort out & hopefully a bit quicker that it took with this one.
@flabar oflabar: It is definitely a debate worth having, i’d an uncle who was riddled with cancer when he died, his last months were tough in palliative care. The case of David Goodall recently in the news gives us hope https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/may/10/david-goodall-australias-oldest-scientist-ends-his-own-life-at-104
@Sean Thornton: I’m not sure there’s really much of an argument against euthanasia, providing it can be proven that there’s no mental health problems involved and the person is sane, I don’t see any problems at all with it
@Sean Thornton: yeh why not now that we can end life entering the world let’s end it leaving !!!
A terrible day for Ireland !!!!
@Rosie O’Boyle: A good day for Ireland. Options are available & women are free to choose for themselves what’s right for them instead of having others decide for them. If you can’t see that, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Those who want to go through with them can do so without the hassle of travelling & those who don’t, don’t have to do anything they don’t want to. Everybody wins.
@Keith McDonagh: everybody except the child !!!
@Rosie O’Boyle: I don’t think its terrible. In fact, I would like a referendum on both.
@Keith McDonagh: everyone except the babies….lest u should forget them
@Keith McDonagh: except the babies keith..they dont win…
@Mags Murphy: I’m sure you and your other account “Rosie O’Boyle” will be rushing in tomorrow to sign up and help the children of homeless drug addicted parents on the street or in a B&B?
http://www.thejournal.ie/homeless-healthcare-addiction-4034996-May2018/
“O’Carroll said some people are failed by the system. He used the example of a woman who was addicted to drugs but could not access methadone in her local area so moved to Dublin.
She was homeless and, when staying in a hostel one night, was raped. The woman died of a drug overdose shortly after this happened, leaving behind a four-year-old daughter.”
Well?
@Mags Murphy: 2 things.
1. I never said I fully agree with abortion in all cases but I’ve always & always will fully support & individuals right to choose what they think is right for themselves. Whether I agree or disagree with it myself is irrelevant.
2. Until a child is born, it’s very much the womans life & body when it’s them carrying the child so again, whether I or anyone else for that matter agrees or disagrees with their decision, it doesn’t matter. It’s them & only them that can make it. Everyone else just has to learn to come to terms with it. If I can do that then surely you can too. It’s not that difficult.
@Keith McDonagh: your conscience and mine keith are a world apart. I just know with every inch of my being that a foetus should have the same rights as you or I. Your arguments just doesnt recognize them…
@Sean Thornton: euthanasia is another story. I know Switzerland is struggling with aspects of it because people with depression have tried to access it and then it could become a slippery slope. It’s not clear cut. That will not be coming in any time soon.
@Mags Murphy: My conscience is clear. More than I can say for someone like you.
@Dotty Dunleary: 1 in 3 voted no. Is it concievable to think that there are numerous no commentors on journal. I have been accused as being at least 7 other logins. Its busy here logging in and out frantically creating the illusion of being many.different people…even after the referendum!!
@Mags Murphy: Build a bridge and get over it.
@Mags Murphy: well, now at least any your female friends or relatives who need the appropriate care will be able to access it, without the hindrance of your opinions re their survival.
@Mags Murphy: So you would prefer to keep your head buried in the sand and pretend that Irish women don’t go to the UK to have terminations in order for you to declare that abortions don’t happen here? The biggest difference this result means is that as from next year, Irish women will not have to make that decision to leave this, their country, which has for decades turned its back on them, and stay to have any and all the help they need, here – and I wonder how many of those then might even change their minds (because it does happen) at the last minute, and choose to carry on with their pregnancy!
@flabar oflabar: yeah….we’ve taken all the rights away from the unborn .Why stop now. ….let’s see what other rights are up for grabs ? Let’s legalise suicide. …..euthanasia…automatic deportation ….after all it’s a person’s right to choose what happens in their own country.
@flabar oflabar: How true. My Dad died a painful and drawn out death 18 years ago from cancer. On the day he died I felt a huge sense of relief on his behalf and remember thinking to myself “that’s the most positive thing he’s done for a long time”…….
@Jerriko17: “Let’s legalise suicide”?? Suicide was legalised here in 1993.
@Keith McDonagh: yea deff, forget about cervical cancer mis haps let’s just end lives left right and Centre go Ireland is right
We were taught in school by the nuns & priests how to beware of the “Wolf in Sheeps clothing “ little did we know then, that exactly who they were!
@Colette Kearns: and banshees and the bogeyman.
@David Dickson: *bogeyperson
@Colette Kearns: you’re deluding yourself if you think all our woes are down to the church. .doubt if anyone is paying heed to the “church ” in the last 20/30 yrs. ..even people of faith aren’t !
‘A hammer blow to the church’……….GOOD!
@Eric Ryan: not really ..nothing changes..those who go to mass will still be going to mass in the morning.. I don’t believe anybody is swayed by what the church preaches these days.
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: everything has changed, mass attendence used to be 90% among Catholics, now its on avg 30% and as low as 10% in parts of Dublin.
The church’s influence has gone, they are out of touch with this country.
Today I spoke to a very religious women, she goes to mass several times a week, holy water at the door, picture of jesus on the stairs etc . Her words “the church had no place getting involved in this referendum”.
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: but why go then? It doesn’t make sense to me.
@Jane: it’s a comfort thing I would guess. Superstition, tradition.. When all is said and done people have always ignored certain rules and adhered to others. I’ll grant you though none as big as this one.
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: its 2018,im a baptised catholic but im agnostic…why? Because im fed tripe while i am young and impressionable! The church has alot to answer for and that alone is a whole other story…
Today belongs to the women of ireland
@Siobhán Ni Mhurchú: at a leaving cert graduation mass on Wednesday alot of parents left the church after the priest tried to influence the all girls celebration. He ruined what should have been an celebration of these girls achievements so far and the exciting future ahead of them. He did apologise later!
@Dell: what comfort is there in going in to a place to be talked down to by people who have presided over some of the worst things to ever happen in this country. I was at a mass recently, first in a long time but one of these ones you ‘have’ to go to, a lady from a neighboring parish who is involved with save the 8th spoke instead of the usually homily.
My kids were there and it was uncomfortable to say the least. I voted no and I found it hard going.
@Eric Ryan: 95% of primary schools…………
@Jane: oh Jane I don’t see the comfort in it either and I don’t know why anyone would waste hours of their lives there that they could be using enjoying their family and the world around them and appreciating what they have but people seem to think they need this kind of guidance to be good or something. Beats me. Most of them are fine people and don’t need to be spoken down to to achieve goodness
@Tina Treacy: that’s not on ..There’s a time and a place for everything and that celebration wasn’t one of them .
@Dell: Because it’s called ‘choice’; clowns like you preach choice about everything from Roly poly to ending lives but if it doesn’t suit your liberal view on life then is oppressive
@Rosie O’Boyle: ah Rosie people voted yes for a lot of different reasons. I think a lot voted yes for the women who’ve had to travel because of the ‘hard cases’. Surely that’s understandable. I voted no because the 12 weeks was too much for me but I don’t condemn anyone for voting as their conscience allowed.
@Jane: I also went no. Abortion as a contraceptive did not sit well with me. As my feminist sister said, this isn’t a women’s rights issue, it’s a human rights issue
@John Carroll: GREAT AND GOD BLESS..ALWAYS BE PRO-LIFE THE
For the times they are a-changin’ . . .
@Blind Faith: “Young people of Ireland I love you “
@Quentin Moriarty: No lad, it was ” young people of Ireland, buy my record!”
this is not a hammer blow to the church . …. once again we are still giving credence to the affect on Catholic church ….. it’s about choice and freedom for Irish women … let’s focus on that
Kind of off topic I know but someone’s going to have to tell the DUP that as it stands they’re technically more Catholic than about 70% of the population of the Republic of Ireland.
@John Murphy: And 60% of Ireland’s Catholics are now technically protestants.
@John Murphy: lol DUP Catholic. Bishop Ian Paisley loyal to the Pope
Nothing to do with the church, this shouldn’t be made about religion. The church hammered themselves enough with their own actions
Ah, give it a break Journal. As many have pointed out this Ref had little if anything to do with the church- many many churchgoers voted Yes. Change the record on the whole ‘ Church thing’ – its getting boring..
As usual on the Journal there are.plenty of attacks on the Church. She is nearly 2000 years old, is responsible for immense good in health provision and education, has produced wonderful people like Catherine McAuley and Nano Nagle, loses many members every year to persecution throughout the world, is the only real opponent of injustice worldwide, but you pick on the weaknesses of individuals to condemn nearly 1 and 1/2 billion people . But then her founder promised that she’d be persecuted.
@Rosie O’Boyle: good to see you taking defeat with such grace. How strange it must feel for you to know that you are surrounded by s%@#mbags. 66% of your neighbours, friends, family, all s%(€mbags. Personally I prefer being amongst that number than the 33% control freaks who like to punish tragedy and think they should be allowed dictate what a woman does with her own body.
I voted no, the Catholic Church had their say and we know where that went so I wouldn’t be listening to them, but here’s the dilemma you can commit murder now without fear.
The rcc started losing its iron grip on Irish politics & the lives of ordinary citizens with the exposure of eamonn casey as the ‘celibate’ priest he truly was (not). The cascading torrent of information that followed vis a vis child sex abuse by many in rcc, the cover ups, Magdalene laundries, Tuam & the septic tank burial of hundreds of born, breathing, sentient beings, the hypocrisy of ignoring & turning a blind eye to the 1000s of Irish women taking ferries, in the early days, or flights across the Irish Sea, the shaming of citizens for actions the shamers themselves were doing behind closed doors, rcc hierarchy complicit in hiding the details of, gambling, sex, drugs & to top it all the selling of Irish babies to the highest rcc drones in America – that is what contributed vote YES
@NotMyPresident
YAWN
@Bernadette Purcell: why do people who call themselves liberals & pro choice ridicule the Catholic’s of this country for making a choice to be Catholic?
when Franny arrives at Dublin airport he’ll be met by thousands of yellow &white flag waving catholics who gave him & his bishops a massive two fingers twice in a row ..on marriage equality & now with abortion. But let’s not forget divorce ,contraception & the exposure of all the abuse by our journalists. Isn’t it time Irish catholics just owned up and admitted that they’re all Church of Ireland in disguise
@Dean Anderson: Disagreeing with Rome certainly makes you a protestant in the purest definition. Its time that people had a look at that.
@Dean Anderson: why do you care about the popes visit? Are you a practicing Catholic? If not why are you so obsessed with the Catholic Church?
Sorry Folks, perhaps ye all forgot that you have an immortal soul to save when turning your pen into an knife yesterday at the polling booth.God will not be mocked. You will be held accountable on judgement day for every baby murdered by abortion.
@Kathleen Brady: you know, Im not great at this sort of thing but I get the impression you aren’t sorry at all. In fact I get the impression you are quite happy about it from the tone of your vile little message. Thankfully one would have to believe in the airy fairy claptrap you have spewed to give a toss about anything you just said.
@Kathleen Brady: that comment my dear woman is exactly what turns people away from the god you worship….”put the fear of god into them”, its what turned me away from your church 40 years ago, they put the fear of god into me….and it worked!!!!!! I rejected the fecker.
@Kathleen Brady: Your God is based on hate and fear and we’ve had enough of him.
@Kathleen Brady: ‘God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. ‘
(Matt.5/11)
@Prince Ozymandias: but but but.. This was never about religion.. According to the liars on here.
@Kathleen Brady: why not gods a di€k head a prat and an evil sh!t mock him all you want
@Kathleen Brady: It’s ok. I consulted with Apollo just before I voted Yes & he was grand with it. Said he was a bit annoyed with you though, so watch out.
@Martin Meyler: ah stop!! That made me lol! :D
@Kathleen Brady: GREAT COMMENTS..GOD BLESS
@Kathleen Brady: Sure won’t they be grand, cos of the Pope promising plenary indulgences to anyone attending the World Families’ Conference here in September, which he says will guarantee eternal life to them…..
@Kathleen Brady: LOL @ god wont be mocked.
Fox News are not a credible news source . Why quote them ?
Catholic Ireland’s dead and gone,
It’s with McQuaid in the grave.
— with apologies to W.B. Yeats.
@Declan McArdle: give us a break. ..McQuaid died over 45 years ago…..we’re a different country now……even the chuch are embarassed by him !
For such a tiny country we’re pretty darn influential. Smoking Ban, Same Sex Marriage and today. It’s a country I’m proud of that’s moving rapidly so far away from where we were in the 70’s and 80’s. I’m now proud to bring my children up in such a beautiful country.
If it was a hammer blow to the church then there must be something seriously wrong with religion and the church in this country.
Think of the way Savita was mis-treated and left to die because doctors were forbidden to terminate the pregnancy, and ask yourselves what would Jesus have done in this situation. Would he have turned his back like the Church did or would he have tried to save Savita..
@Chris Kirk: Ol’ JC wouldn’t have done anything because he didn’t exist. Or if he did, he’d have been useless, as he lacked modern medical training. Obviously.
@Chris Kirk: HELO.SAVITA’S CASE WAS NOT REALLY OVER THE DENIAL OF ABORTION AS IT IS MADE OUT TO BE. IT WAS A MEDICAL MISTAKE THAT THE DOCS DID NOT IDENTIFY THE INFECTION EARLY ENOUGH AND IT WAS A VERY BAD BUG..CALLED ESBL…THAT CARRIES A HIGH MORTALITY EVEN WITH TREATMENT.TRUST ME I A AM DOCTOR..ABORTION OR NO ABORTION..THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME. THE SAME HOSPITAL HAS BEEN DOING TERMINATIONS IN SERIOUS CASES..THIS CASE WAS JUST HER BAD LUCK THAT THEY DID NOT IDENTIFY THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE INFECTION. REALLY WISHED SHE HAD SURVIVED.
@NEIL RANGEL: Only a fool makes a big wall of text like that n caps.
Of all the reactions to the result of the referendum, this must rank as the most obtuse.
The reality is that when women realise the consequence of their action, they won’t have Michael Martin, Leo, Simple Simon, Coveney, O’Gorman or any of the rest beside them. But they will have the support of the Church, always.
Thank god this referendum is over, no more vile crap from both sides.
Let’s kill babies to spite the catholic church. Gotcha
@Damien Mooney: campaign is over …. no more guilt tripping comments . … thanks
@Damien Mooney: They do well enough on their own.
@Damien Mooney: I, along with most voters, voted with my conscience and with no regard to any church or religion.
@Damien Mooney: if you feel like killing babies Damien, you need to get off the journal and seek professional help.
@Dell: isn’t that what you voted for ???
@Rosie O’Boyle: ah Rosie pet, you also need to get off the journal and maybe study a biology book or two and also try some anger management classes and learning how to cope with living amongst a population of 66% s#u&bags.
@Dell: you’re the one that ushered in a new era of baby killing, not me
@Damien Mooney: see comment to Rosie and follow advise given to same.
@Damien Mooney: Come on now, put down the Whiskey and stop sniffing the coke, stop the lies and making a show of yourself on the Journo!
@AP: murderer
@monika: idiot
@AP: by that logic the campaign was over in 1983
Ah poor church no more selling or disposing of babies
@Craig Hughes: yes this was always only about the church. They raped innocent children so lets get back at them by legalizing killing innocent children. Hold on ted that makes no sense at all. Doesnt matter ted, we showed the church real real good this time….
@Craig Hughes: now it will be Marie Stopes and Planned Parenthood who will sell and dispose of babies and baby parts. Your attempt at logic is dumb.
@Mags Murphy: if you know of anyone killing children, please report it to the gardai
@Dell: Won’t be illegal to kill unborn babies soon thanks to the treasonous vote by the Irish people yday which they will regret in the near future when 10000+ babies are murdered every year
@Dell: unfortunately as of today killing of babies in utero will be legal, no crime involved anymore
@Steve1234: had to give you a like for that.. It’s possibly the most hyperbolic of all hyperbolic pieces of claptrap printed here.. Well done.
@Mags Murphy: babies in utero… Do you mean a foetus? And abortion was already happening. It would be more in your line to help the babies that are born and stop preaching to the rest of us. Do you know there are loads of babies dying world wide, what do you lot do about those? A big fat nothing because you only care about the foetus.
They didn’t give you a referendum on abortion.
They gave you a referendum that in order to access what most would call a necessary abortion the rape,incest, FFA, you would have to accept abortion in its fullest form, unlimited up to 12 weeks for any reason.
The citizens assembly gives the government the answer they seek, the attorney general gave them some cover that it must be done legally such as this. But it wasn’t necessary. One of the most contrived cool T-Shirt referendums.
I will never vote FG for that sin of not asking directly.
The church is like the Liverpool goal keeper .. GONE
@Rosie O’Boyle: No they don’t, that’s an extremely silly & judgemental comment to make. .
SAD DAY FOR HUMANITY- NO GOD IN THEIR LIVES/WHAT VICTORY IS THIS – YOU DO NOT GET YOUR HANDS STAINED WITH INNOCENT BLOOD/CIVILIZED HUMAN BEINGS DO NOT MAKE MURDEROUS CHOICES – ABORTION IS ONE OF THEM LIKE EUTHANSIA /HUMAN LIFE BEGINS AT THE TIME OF CONCEPTION AND HAS TO BE RESPECTED/ I AM A DOCTOR AND WE MAKE A SOLEMN PLEDGE TO DEFEND LIFE FROM THE TIME OF CONCEPTION/ THE LIFE OF THE UNBORN CAN LAWFULLY BE TAKEN AWAY ONLY WHEN THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER IS IN GRAVE DANGER – ABSOLUTELY NO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES/WONDER WHAT ARE REFERENDUMS ARE IN STORE – TO ELIMINATE THE PERCEIVED UNWANTED AND INCONVENIENT LIKE ELDERLY, SICK AND DISABLED INCLUDING CHILDREN./THE ALFIE EVANS CASE IS A SIGN OF EVIL THINGS TO COME/ WISHING THE PRO-LIFER MOVEMENTS WELL – THEIR WORK WILL NOT BE IN VAIN
@NEIL RANGEL: I think you should concentrate on your own country .You have far bigger problems than our morality
@NEIL RANGEL: No doctor would post walls of texts in caps, stop lying.
So that leaves the cost of home and car insurance, mental health issues, decriminalisation of the punter visiting a prostitute for either companionship and/or consensual sex, getting rid of the oppressive c.p.c. and the endless repressive legislation making life a misery for commercial driving licence holders… Ireland – lead the way!
This was not a vote on the Catholic Church. Why are there so many comments about an ‘insignificant, non relevant’ religious grouping?
Expecting our gombeen FF and FG parties now to try and fool the people by declaring themselves the parties for change!
At least they had the balls to bring this to the people
@Coco86: no balls required. It was a case of announce a referendum and pick the right side. They are still horrendously poor at governing the country, despite their claims of victory etc… They probably see it as a dry run for a GE.
@Adrian: FG are riding high now, FF are in turmoil.
@Jane: this isn’t gonna make much difference to opinion polls. The people are sick of FF and FG politics, they want change. FF and FG will just try and claim their own successes on this to keep themselves popular. Its like the progression with cigarettes. M Martin is a prime example. He picked the yes side, it keeps the political gravy train running for him for a bit longer.
@Coco86: no they didn’t. This was grass roots activism that pushed for the Citizens Assembly and thereafter positively campaigned for the repeal. The government were forced to act because of the broad public base that was looking for action. This campaign was people initiated and driven to a successful conclusion, assuming the legislation follows as promised.
Hammer Blow to the Church what a load of xxx
We haven’t turned our backs on the church you know, much as you sophisticated folks would like us to.
I voted yes but i think its pretty disgusting people celebrating as this does take life away no matter what way you look at it.
@Coco86:
I voted yes and mass sucks!!!
The only hammer blow the church couldn’t take would be to tax them.
have your say