Pro-life groups are holding events this weekend in support of the mother and child at the centre of the latest abortion controversy, and in protest at the government’s abortion legislation.
The Pro Life Campaign has organised a vigil to take place outside Dáil Éireann this evening, Friday 22nd August from 7.30 – 8.15pm, while Youth Defence will hold a rally tomorrow (Saturday) at 4pm meeting at the Spire on O’Connell Street, Dublin.
In an email to supporters, PLC Deputy Chair Cora Sherlock said:
“The unseemly clamour this week for more abortion, while a baby clings to life in an Irish hospital, has appalled many people. It is clear that the mother and the baby at the centre of this tragic case should have been better cared for.
“What happened exposes the deep-seated flaws in last year’s abortion legislation. We need at this time to come together to express our solidarity with the baby and our concern for his mother. We also need to highlight how the tragedy is being manipulated by the pro-abortion side to push for more abortion.”
Youth Defence has called on an Taoiseach Enda Kenny to immediately reconsider the repeal of last year’s abortion legislation. It described as “shocking” reports of a baby being deliberately delivered prematurely at just 25 weeks and said this shows the new law to be “unworkable and barbaric”.
The baby has a 70-80 percent chance of suffering a permanent disability as a result of being born so prematurely.
Youth Defence spokeswoman Clare Molloy said the law did not afford sufficient protection to either mother or baby and placed doctors in an impossible position. “The law is clearly unworkable and is already producing horrific results which will have devastating effects. Far from providing clarity, the law now places conscientious doctors in an impossible situation,” she said.
YD are also organising a vigil, to be held on O’Connell Street at 4.00pm tomorrow, Saturday 23rd August.