The power of fundamentalists and hierarchy is over says Bree

Prominent Yes campaigner, Councillor Declan Bree said he believed there were those who campaigned for a No vote had a nasty agenda to “suppress and hound women.”

Cllr Bree told The Sligo Champion: “I am delighted with the results and I wish to thank and pay tribute to all those in the constituency who voted Yes for women’s rights and for repeal.

“While I understand and appreciate that many people voted No with the very best of intentions and because they were genuinely concerned about the future, the reality is that others who campaigned for a “No” vote had a nasty agenda to suppress and hound women as if it were the Ireland of the 1940’s or 1950’s.

“The fact that the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael T.D.’s from Sligo declared that they were voting “No” and the fact that the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael organisations in Sligo refused to support the campaign for repeal and for women’s rights is worthy of note.

“The decision to repeal the 8th amendment confirms that women in Ireland are to be trusted to make their own choices and that those choices will be respected and vindicated in law.

“The outcome of the referendum also marks a major change in the attitude of Irish people. The religious fundamentalists and the hierarchy have been told in no uncertain terms that their power is at an end.

“The revelations of recent years in regard to child abuse and in particular the thousands of children who were terrorised, raped, beaten and humiliated in church run institutions and then the sickening attempts by the hierarchy to cover up the torture and rape of our children left them with no moral authority to decide upon, restrict or impose boundaries on women.

“Thirty five years ago, in 1983, when I and others campaigned against the 8th Amendment, we were part of a very small movement speaking out in defense of women’s rights.

“We have waited 35 years for this day and it is a wonderful feeling as we move forward towards a more just and tolerant society.

“The revelations in the exit polls of the significant number of votes cast in favour of repeal by those aged 65 and older confirms that the past has been left behind and a new legacy is being created.

“I wish to thank and pay tribute to the large number of activists who participated in the campaign to repeal the 8th.

“They were part of a wonderful team, they were part of history and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”