Forcing women to challenge State on abortion ‘appalling’

AN expert on abortion law has said it is an “appalling situation” when three women have to ask the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to resolve the “abortion question” because the Dáil has refused to.

University of Limerick law lecturer, Jennifer Schweppe was speaking after details emerged about the Irish Government’s defence in the face of a legal challenge by three women who claim their human rights were infringed by having to travel for abortions.

A formal ECHR hearing on the admissibility of the case is expected to take place shortly. The women, referred to as Miss A, Miss B and Miss C, say their health was jeopardised by the forced travel and that they were put under emotional, financial and physical burdens with damage to their “family and private lives”.