State paid for two teens to have abortions since poll

THE State has paid for two teenagers in its care to have abortions abroad since the referendum to limit abortion here was defeated a year ago.

Both the East Coast Area Health Board, which covers south Dublin and Wicklow, and the South Eastern Health Board have confirmed they each took a teenager in their care to Britain for an abortion in the past year.

The health boards would not discuss the details of the cases to protect the anonymity of the girls in their care. However, they confirmed they had secured court orders for the abortions.