Last-ditch attempt to change proposals ‘built on sand’

Proposals to allow abortion on the grounds of suicide were “built on sand”, according to Lucinda Creighton, in her last-ditch attempt to change the legislation allowing terminations in certain circumstances.

Just hours before the final Dáil vote on the contentious Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, the Dublin South East TD strongly criticised the basis for the suicide clause as legally flawed.

Ms Creighton, a trained barrister, said the X Case ruling by the Supreme Court more than 21 years ago was being “dangled over us as” as the reason for introducing the suicide clause in “this flawed section in the legislation”.