Girl ‘used by pro-abortion lobby’

PRO-LIFE group Youth Defence has claimed Miss D is being used by the pro-abortion lobby to further their agenda.

Spokesman Eoghan de Faoite said the HSE had brought a number of girls in their care to England for abortions in the past. But, he said, shortly before a general election a girl was prevented from travelling and the issue ended up in the High Court.

“You have to but wonder whether or not this is some political decision from within the HSE to try and challenge Ireland’s abortion laws,” he said.

The Pro-Life Campaign said the HSE had a duty to ensure the girl was made aware of the long-term negative effects of abortion on some women. The group’s medical adviser, Dr Berry Kiely, said the case should be a reminder society was obliged to ensure every support is in place so no woman felt abortion was the only option.