Minister joins calls for public forum on law change after teen rape case

A Cabinet minister has weighed in behind calls for a public forum to debate changes to abortion legislation following the case of a raped teenager who was denied a termination.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan also said that he was concerned about the teenager’s baby, who was born by caesarean section after 25 weeks and would have difficulty living independently.

His comments come after calls by Labour and Independent TDs for the Constitutional Convention to be recalled to discuss whether there should be a referendum on lifting the ban on abortions.