GP whose surgery was targeted is ‘against abortion’

A GP whose surgery entrance was daubed with anti-abortion graffiti is “totally against abortion”, his family claimed yesterday.

Sarina Ali was speaking after the surgery of Dr Syed Ali, at the Longford Medical Centre, was vandalised with offensive slogans overnight on Sunday.

Dr Ali was out of the country, but his daughter said she would speak on his behalf. “He is strictly against abortion. This can be proven by his interview with the ‘Longford Leader’ shortly before the referendum,” she said.

She said it went against his religious views.

Dr Ali has practised in the town for 30 years.

There are now 274 GPs signed up around the country to provide medical termination of pregnancy.

The number of GPs agreeing to provide abortion has risen since January 1, but the increase is slow and steady.

It comes as Health Minister Simon Harris again promised to introduce safe zones around premises and hospitals.

This would require protesters to observe a distance and carry criminal sanctions for those who breach the law.

Meanwhile, Mr Harris described as “chilling” reports that the anti-abortion group Sidewalk Advocates for Life intends to bring its campaign to Ireland and adopt tactics such as intercepting women before they access services.

It would involve approaching women in car parks.

He said this was “disrespectful of the democratic process”.

Sidewalk Advocates for Life said it was law abiding and “teaches others to lovingly and peacefully reach out to women at abortion centres, offering them non-violent solutions to their crisis situation”.