Reilly rules out cutting 14-year jail sentence

Health Minister James Reilly has ruled out reducing a maximum 14-year jail sentence for a woman who has an abortion outside terms of the new legislation.

TDs across parties yesterday agreed the punishment was harsh, with one saying it was “inhumane”.

Dr Reilly said the courts would never give a 14-year sentence to a woman who had a termination with services operating outside the proposed legislative regime.