Ireland poised for abortion verdict

IRISH voters went to the polls yesterday in an historic referendum that could see an overhaul of the country’s abortion laws.

Currently, terminations are allowed only when a woman’s life is at risk. But this does not apply in cases of rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality.

Yesterday voters were asked to decide whether or not to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the constitution, which recognises an equal right to life for both mother and child.

If Ireland votes to repeal, the government plans legislation that will allow abortions on request up to 12 weeks – subject to a medical consultation – and up to 24 weeks in cases of serious health risks. The referendum result is expected this afternoon.

Prime minister Leo Varadkar said: “I hope that a Yes vote will help to lift that stigma and help take away that legacy of shame that exists in our society.”

He added that if the motion to repeal is not successful, it could be another 35 years before another referendum. More than 3.2 million people were eligible to vote, with more than 100,000 new voters registering ahead of the poll.

Irish citizens travelled from all over the world to have their say but for some the journey was not an easy one.

Voters on a Ryanair flight to Dublin were delayed when their plane was struck by another at Stansted airport in Essex.

All passengers were unharmed and transferred to a replacement flight. About 25 of those on the Ryanair service wore jumpers with the “Repeal” slogan.

Dubliner Malena McQuarrie, 23, said: “I’m extremely annoyed, but hope we’re going to get home in time to vote.

“Luckily I live by the airport so it’s not so bad for me but some people have to go far into the country. A girl in front of me was saying she has to fly back tonight.”

Passenger Genevieve Hulme Beaman, 29, also from Dublin, said: “I wanted to be there to support the women.”