Doctors 'contradictory' over abortion poll

Confusion over next week’s referendum on abortion law intensified today when the heads of Dublin’s three main maternity hospitals backed the Government’s controversial proposal for the poll - and then said terminations should be permitted in certain circumstances.

The country votes on the issue next Wednesday, with the Government seeking a law change that would guarantee a constitutional ban on abortion, except in cases where the life of a mother is considered to be at risk.