Irish expats head home to vote on abortion

IN THEIR black tops bearing the word “Repeal”, many of those travelling home to Ireland yesterday to vote in today’s abortion referendum were easily identifiable.

From as far afield as Australia, the United States and south-east Asia, they journeyed in their droves to have their say on an issue that has divided their nation. Some paid hundreds of pounds for their flights; others were sponsored by benevolent donors, who chipped in via crowdfunding appeals. A social media campaign trending under the hashtag #Hometovote saw hundreds share their stories of returning to vote in favour of repealing the eighth amendment, which effectively bans abortion.

With surveys suggesting the outcome is too close to call, pro-choice campaigners hope the return of recent emigrants, who tend to be young, will swing it in their favour. Flights and ferries into Ireland were fully booked as a far-flung diaspora returned.