Senator: Abortions would deprive future Special Olympians of life

A Fianna Fáil senator has been accused of reaching a new low after he said allowing abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities would be “depriving future Special Olympics athletes of being born”.

Brian Ó Domhnaill said allowing terminations in such circumstances could lead to babies with Down’s syndrome being “left to die on sterilised trays”.

As the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill began committee stage hearings in the Seanad, there was three hours of debate on allowing abortions in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities — where a baby has no chance of survival after being born.