Anti-abortion campaigners disrupt pro-choice meeting

THE militant anti-abortion group, Youth Defence, disrupted a public meeting of campaigners looking for the removal of the Constitutional ban on abortion in Dublin yesterday.

Youth Defence members burst into a public meeting being held by Alliance for Choice with banners chanting: "Abortion out of Ireland".

The meeting was disrupted for about 10 minutes before the speakers could continue. But Alliance for Choice spokeswoman Ivana Bacik said the protest did not deflect them from their main purpose.

Sunday marks the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Constitutional amendment but Alliance for Choice believe it has failed to solve the abortion issue and should be repealed.

"Since it was passed over 100,000 Irish women have travelled to the UK to secure abortions it is a flawed and inappropriate way to deal with abortion," Ms Bacik said.

There have been four referenda on abortion in the past 20 years that have failed to sort out the issue, Ms Bacik said.

"Public opinion has changed and the referendum on abortion last year showed that the Government failed to get the backing for abortion being outlawed when there is a threat of suicide," Ms Bacik said.

The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) also backed the call for the removal of the 1983 Constitutional amendment.

IFPA spokeswoman Catherine Forde said statistics show that in developed countries where abortion is legalised, abortion rates have declined, she said.

However, anti-abortion groups, including the Pro-Life Campaign, were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the amendment yesterday.

Dr Berry Kiely of the Pro-Life Campaign said the Constitutional amendment had not put Irish women at risk.