Eight years after repeal vote, families say gaps remain in Ireland’s abortion care laws

Families behind new book say legal gaps continue causing trauma for parents facing life-limiting foetal diagnoses

Christine Monahan, a nurse who lives in Co Cavan with a precious memory of her son Darragh’s hand and footprints. She had to travel to Liverpool to terminate her pregnancy, as her babies diagnosis of Ivemark syndrome did not meet the grounds for termination in Ireland. Picture: Lorraine Teevan

A woman who travelled to Liverpool to terminate her pregnancy because her son had a rare life-limiting condition has called for changes in Irish law to support families such as hers.

“It’s the most serious, unwanted decision that you would ever have to make,” Christine Monahan said this week.