Several referenda — one divided nation

ABORTION has been a divisive matter in Irish society and will continue to be a burning issue.

Several referendums, court cases and legal rulings have thrown the issue repeatedly into the spotlight.

This week’s European ruling that Ireland violated the right of a woman with cancer who had to travel to Britain for an abortion, will place it firmly back on the agenda not only for groups for and against the procedure but also for the political parties.

One of the most controversial was the 1992 X case, where the Supreme Court ruled that a pregnant suicidal minor — the victim of a rape — was allowed to travel to Britain for an abortion.

The outcome saw two referendums passed the same year which established the ‘right to travel’ and the ‘right to information’ with regards to abortion.

A third issue that would have defined when and if abortions could be considered legal was defeated at the polls.

By 1998, in what became known as the C case, a 13-year-old girl in the care of the Eastern Health Board had to seek permission to travel to Britain for an abortion.

While her father opposed the abortion, the High Court ruled she was entitled to one as a result of the 1992 X case because of the risk of suicide if she continued with the pregnancy. A further referendum in 2002 was narrowly defeated, which subsequently continued to allow the risk of suicide as a ground for an abortion.