Eighth Amendment needstoberep ealed

IRISH law prohibiting abortion was enacted in 1861, whenIrelandwasacolony of Britain. That law stayed in place after 1922, when Ireland became independent, as it was considered fit for purpose.

However, Irish politicians got a bit twitchy in the 1930s when they realised there was going to be an increase in backstreet abortions and infanticide, as they had passed an Act prohibiting all appliances and substances for contraception.

Women continued to die (from backstreet abortions). Prosecutions and sentences were handed down.

Then, with the 1967 Abortion Act in Britain, Irish politicians breathed a sigh of relief. They could now export the problem. Ireland could become abortion-free.

Roll on to 1983 and the Eighth Amendment to the Irish constitution, which gave the right of life to the unborn. The Irish people thought this was a jolly good thing — 67% approved.

That same year a woman, Sheila Hodgers, was (allegedly) denied medical treatment in an Irish hospital. She died of multiple cancers two days after giving birth to her third child.

And on it went. A raped 13-year-old, a suicidal woman being perfused and ventilated inhumanely to keep her alive until her unborn baby reached viability and could be delivered at 24 weeks, Savita Halappanavar.

The Irish constitution is no longer fit for purpose for the management of a pregnant woman’s health.

The Eighth Amendment must be repealed.

ALISON HACKETT By email