One of Northern Ireland’s leading pro-life campaigners has had a harassment conviction against her struck out on appeal.
Bernadette Smyth of Precious Life had been convicted in November 2014 for allegedly pursuing a campaign of harassment against Dawn Purvis, then director of the Marie Stopes abortion clinic, on dates in January and February of that year. Ms Smyth had repeatedly denied the allegations against her, which arose from demonstrations taking place outside the Marie Stopes clinic in Belfast. A judge ruled in favour of Ms Purvis, however, and Ms Smyth was sentenced to 100 hours of community service in addition to a compensation order of £2,000. At the time of the judgement, a five-year restraining order was also handed down, preventing Ms Smyth from approaching Ms Purvis and from being within 20 yards of the clinic’s entrance. Pro-life campaigners have continued to stage regular demonstrations outside Marie Stopes in Great Victoria Street since its controversial opening in 2012.
Judge Gordon Kerr at Belfast County Court has now overturned that earlier ruling, on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding of harassment.
Speaking after the ruling, Ms Smyth said: “I’m just relieved that my family and myself can hold our heads up now that my name has been cleared.
“I can now continue with the work I have been doing over the last 18 years, which is to advocate for unborn children.”
Despite Ms Smyth’s vindication, however, Judge Kerr also revealed in his judgement that he would hear a further application by counsel for Ms Purvis to have the restarining order on Ms Smyth maintained.
Meanwhile, Dublin is gearing up to host thousands of pro-life marchers on July 4th when the annual Rally for Life takes place. Marchers will gather at the Garden of Remembrance at Parnell Square at 2pm before marching to Leinster House to demonstrate the strength of opposition to any change in the Republic’s abortion legislation.