Protesters outside facilities providing abortion services could face fines of €2.5k

Anti-abortion campaigners could face fines for breaking safe access zones. Picture: Stephen Collins /Collins Photos

People protesting outside healthcare facilities that provide abortion services could face fines of up to €2,500 or up to six months in prison under long-awaited new measures.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is expected to bring forward a memo to Cabinet on safe access zones as early as next week, paving the way for the legislation to be introduced in the Oireachtas before the summer recess.