Abortion statistics revealed

The number of women with Irish addresses having abortions in Britain was down slightly last year, according to the latest statistics.

The British Department of Health says 4,686 abortions were carried out last year on women who gave addresses in Ireland, down 356 compared to the figure for 2006.

The number of abortions carried on women with addresses in the North was up 48 to 1,343.

Campaigners say the figures do not give the real picture about the number of Irish women having abortions in the UK as many use the addresses of relatives in England.

They also say many Irish women have abortions in other European countries.