Ireland 'would have illegal abortion epidemic without access to UK,' 8th Amendment Committee hears

Ireland would have an "epidemic of illegal abortions" and a "massive increase" in maternal mortality" if women were unable to access abortion in the UK, a senior doctor has warned.

Dr Peter Boylan, of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said it is well documented that in countries where abortion is banned, the rate of women dying "remains high".