Pro-lifers will call for change to abortion law – Freeman

PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Joan Freeman has said amendments to the abortion referendum legislation are likely to be tabled on the back of calls from the pro-life movement.

The pro-life senator, founder of the Pieta House mental health counselling service, said changes to the proposed law were likely to be put forward, but added she did not want to restart the debate on abortion.

‘The voice of the people has been heard. There probably will have to be amendments to legislation, that goes with every legislation. We will have to wait and see what is going to be suggested,’ she told the Sunday Edition on Dublin City FM.

Ms Freeman voted against removing abortion restrictions in the referendum; however, she said yesterday she would ‘absolutely not’ like to see the campaign restarted.

She has previously said she would not refuse to sign the legislation into law, if she was elected President.

Ms Freeman also stood over her previous claim that she believed her faith had cured her eczema when she put her hands on the shrine wall at Knock several years ago.

‘To me, it was absolutely responsible,’ she said.

‘I certainly wouldn’t deny that. Sometimes it is portrayed if you have faith that there is something radically wrong with it and the reality is, and research will tell you this, that those who believe, who have faith, actually cope better with life.’

Ms Freeman is among eight hopefuls set to address Fingal County Council today in a bid to secure a place on the ballot paper for the Presidential election.