Sinn Féin delegates votes down motion for free vote on abortion

Sinn Féin delegates last night overwhelmingly voted down a motion which would have given its members a free vote on the issue of abortion.

Less than a week after returning from a six-month ban for voting against last July’s Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill, pro-life TD Peadar Tóibín once again found himself pitted against Mary Lou McDonald, the deputy leader, who spoke on behalf of the Ard Chomhairle.

The Meath West TD appealed to party members to support the conscience vote to “create space for people on both sides of the debate.” He said allowing members to vote with their conscience received substantial grassroots support and he warned in years to come that younger politicians “coming up are less likely to leave their consciences at the door”.