Clinic targeted a third time by anti-abortion protesters

A THIRD anti-abortion protest has been held at a Co. Kilkenny clinic.

The clinic, located in Graiguenamanagh, is providing abortions in the counties Carlow and Kilkenny.

On Saturday a group gathered outside the Cistercian Abbey, close to the clinic entrance, for three-and-ahalf hours. A parish priest requested they move on from the church as Mass-goers were entering.

Protesters were holding signs with slogans such as, ‘Say no to Abortion in Graiguenamanagh’ and, ‘Doctors save lives not end them’.

They have picketed once a month since legislation on abortion services became law in December.

Legislation creating exclusion zones around clinics providing abortion is expected to come into force by June. About 10% of GP clinics have signed up to provide abortions.

The Kilkenny clinic, which has two GPs working there, received nuisance calls in January, which caused upset to staff.

Health Minister Simon Harris has promised to introduce legislation for safe zones as soon as possible.

Abortion law allows for unrestricted terminations up to 12 weeks, and also provides for abortions beyond that time where there is a risk to the life or a serious risk to the health of the pregnant woman.

GPs provide the service up to nine weeks of a pregnancy, but in the three subsequent weeks a woman will be referred to a hospital.