"Abortion boat" docks in Dublin

The controversial Dutch vessel equipped to carry out on board abortions has docked in Dublin's river Liffey.

The 100ft converted fishing trawler Aurora was accompanied on its arrival by a police launch but there was no sign of the anticipated pro-life protests.

It is expected to dispense contraceptives and family planning advice in Dublin before also visiting Cork during its 10-day stay in Ireland.

The Amsterdam-based Women On Waves Foundation, which organised the vessel, has refused to comment on whether staff on board would be carrying out abortions, illegal here apart from in exceptional circumstances.

The group would not confirm reports that its members face four-and-a-half-year jail sentences in addition to a fine if they administer abortion pill RU486 and they do not have the necessary Dutch permit.

Spokeswoman Joke van Kampen said they intended campaigning for a change in the Irish law.

She said: "That is what we contribute, to stir discussion, to have all the events on board - the workshop, to talk to parliamentarians - to support the Irish groups who have been fighting for this for years and years and years.

"We consider the lack of safe and accessible abortions as a violation of the human rights of women."

In a landmark ruling in 1992, Ireland's supreme court upheld the right of a suicidal 14-year-old who had been raped to have an abortion and in a referendum that year voters rejected plans to ban abortions for women threatening suicide.

A cross-party group of Irish TDs recently failed to agree on constitutional and legal changes to clarify the emotive issue.