Ben Bulben sign was a reminder to many of their suffering

Dear Editor,

This week, I was shocked to see two huge white letters high over my hometown, bearing down like a hot brand above a herd of cattle. That shock soon turned to anger at the callousness of those involved.

This referendum is not a football game or a concert - it is not about having the loudest voice, biggest sign, or ‘ beating’ the other side.

It is about the impact of a single sentence in our constitution on the day-to-day lives of our family, friends and neighbours.

Very real Sligo women and families who have been hurt by the 8th amendment had to look up at these two letters and be reminded of their suffering.

It is not a game for them. Benbulben is part of our very own stunning, have-to-see-it-to-believe-it landscape.

Those who have felt the effects of the amendment are the least likely to construct ten-foot signs on a mountain.

Don’t turn it against them. We have turned against them for too long.

Abortion is an issue that is as old as human history, and we have not come to a consensus on the ethics or morality of it after all this time.

All we know is that it happens, and it will continue to happen after May 25 th.

Our sisters, daughters, cousins and friends will continue to risk poverty in order to travel, or will take a pill in a cold, lonely bathroom without medical supervision.

Since 1983, we have not stopped or reduced this need, despite vague assurances of alternative ‘care’. By looking reality in the face, perhaps we can.

I believe we Irish are a reasonable people. We know deep down that women do not want to have an abortion, but that sometimes it is the least bad option for them.

But the way to reduce these bad options is not through criminalisation of termination, it is through education and counselling. This is what the evidence says. But that is not what we are voting on.

We are voting on the status quo. By now, your readers know the reality of the 8th amendment – the statistics, the medical and legal danger, the cases of fatal foetal abnormality and rape.

If you think the current situation is acceptable, vote No. If you want something – anything – to change, then you must vote Yes.

We are reasonable, kind and caring people. But we are not cattle. And we will not be threatened or bullied.

Sheila Armstrong,

Rosses Point

Sligo