Bid to allow abortion in fatal abnormality cases

A group of cross-party TDs and senators plans to table an amendment to proposed abortion legislation which would allow for terminations in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities.

At a meeting in Leinster House this week, women told politicians of their experiences carrying their babies home in boxes from England — where they had terminations — when they had no chance of survival outside the womb.

Under current Irish law, women have to carry a foetus even if it will not live beyond delivery. These circumstances are not included in proposed laws allowing for abortion in limited circumstances because, according to the Government, it would be in breach of the constitutional protection of the right to life of the unborn.