A leading member of the Medico-Legal Alliance has hinted that the country’s draft abortion law may face a legal challenge similar to the Asher’s Bakery freedom of conscience case.

Senior Counsel Ben Ó Floinn said it would be regrettable if such a challenge became necessary in order to secure a wide-ranging freedom of conscience for doctors who will not provide terminations.

Mr Ó Floinn told RTÉ News: “People campaigned (in advance of May’s referendum vote) on the basis of Freedom of Choice. Now that choice should be to allow a wide-ranging freedom of conscience to those whose consciences tell them they want no part in this.”

He said it would be ‘regrettable’ if a challenge similar to that in the Asher’s Bakery case became necessary in order to secure this freedom.