Ireland’s heated abortion vote

DUBLIN — Irish voters made their way to the polls Friday, the final steps in a bitter, monthslong national debate on whether to the legalize abortion.

The deafening campaigns on either side of the emotional issue came finally to a halt, leaving the mood in Ireland's capital city a combination of tired, tense and emotional. Voters outside one south Dublin polling station voiced their support for legalizing the long-illegal procedure.

“I voted yes,” said Kelcey O’Brien, 25, of Stillorgan. “For the fatal fetal abnormalities, rape, incest and people with disabilities. Time and time again amendments to include (protections) have been rejected, so it will never happen unless we get rid of the Eighth Amendment.”

Some Dubliners expressed relief that the battle of beliefs had come to an end — whatever its outcome.

“It’s been ugly for the last while,” said Caolan O’Brien, 22, of Kilmacud, who also voted to repeal. “It’s all over social media and it’s both sides going to extremes.” Some voters remained torn. “I can’t really make up my mind,” said Harry Doran, 28, a mechanic from Lucan.

Irish voters traveled home from as far away as Singapore and Canada to cast their votes, with some booking their flights as late as Thursday night.