Law on abortion ‘cruel, unfair, and needs to change’
Four women have gone public on their situation to highlight what they believe many ordinary women like them endure in silence.
The women will meet TDs in Leinster House today as the Dáil debates a private members’ bill on implementing the X case ruling.
They also hope to meet with the 14-member expert group that is studying options on how to implement a European Court of Human Rights ruling.
Last February marked the 20th anniversary of the X case, in which a suicidal 14-year-old rape victim was prevented by the High Court from leaving the State to have an abortion.
The Supreme Court overturned that ruling, paving the way for abortions in limited circumstances here, but it has not been legislated for.
In 2010, the European Court of Human Rights called for it to be made clear in what circumstances abortion is legal in Ireland.
The four women claim the system ignores and stigmatises women like them whose babies were planned and much wanted.
The meeting with TDs has been facilitated by the National Women’s Council of Ireland and Socialist party TD Clare Daly.
As well as meeting TDs, the women will watch the debate on the bill being proposed to give effect to the X case, introduced by Ms Daly on behalf of herself, Independent TD Mick Wallace, and Joan Collins of People before Profit.
The women are:
nRuth Bowie, a healthcare professional who went abroad for an abortion when her baby was diagnosed with a fatal foetal disorder;
nArlette Lyons, who had an abortion six weeks ago after her baby was diagnosed with severe complications;
nAmanda Mellet, who was 21 weeks pregnant when her baby was diagnosed with fatal foetal abnormalities;
nJenny McDonald, who had an abortion last January after a diagnosis of triploidy, a condition that is always fatal.
Arlette Lyons, using the pseudonym Marie, spoke to Today FM presenter Ray D’Arcy about a month ago about her situation.
She was pregnant with her third child when a 13-week scan revealed there was fluid around the child’s brain. She and her husband were told the baby would die in the womb or shortly after birth.
However, it was more likely that she would miscarry before the 20th week of the pregnancy.
She travelled to a hospital in Liverpool for a medical termination, which she believed should have been carried out in an Irish hospital.
“The system is so cruel and unfair and needs to change. It really does,” she said yesterday.
Choice Ireland, a pro-choice group, said it was incredibly brave of the women to highlight their experience of having to travel abroad for abortions.
The Pro Life Campaign condemned the women’s meeting with the politicians because it excluded the voices of women who had been hurt by abortion.
Spokeswoman Dr Ruth Cullen said: “This event raises the question as to whether the National Women’s Council of Ireland represents all women, or only those wh agree with it on issues such as abortion.”
