Court delivers clarity about repeal

■ The Supreme Court judgment of March

7 (‘Unborn does not have Constitutional rights beyond life’, Irish Independent, March 8) has brought clarity at last.

It states unequivocally that the only Constitutional protection for the unborn foetus (baby in the womb) is the protection currently afforded in Article

40.3.3.

Repealing Article 40.3.3 means removing that sole protection for the unborn baby in the womb and clears the way for abortion in the terms outlined in the Government’s policy document: abortion ‘without specific indication’ (which is exactly the same as without restriction, or no reason given) up to 12 weeks’ gestation, and abortion, with no gestational limit, for babies with fatal foetal abnormalities.

The stark and only choice for those who find this a step too far is to keep Article 40.3.3.

It is no longer possible to say, as many have done including members of the Oireachtas: “Let’s repeal the Eighth first and not worry about what will follow.”

We all know that what will follow is abortion in the terms outlined in the abortion policy document.

Be under no illusion. Repeal means abortion.

Ann Kehoe

Castleknock, Dublin 15