Children’s Referendum a step too far

As a mother, I am shocked at the proposal in the Children’s Rights Referendum that will allow the state to adopt any child without the consent of the child’s parents or even its mother.

This is a cruel attack on mothers in particular. The entire nation listened to the harrowing stories on RTÉ of the poor mothers, who having given birth outside wedlock, then had their babies taken from them and put up for adoption. This happened during the dark days of institutional abuse.

These poor heartbroken mothers were given no say and never recovered from the trauma of losing their babies. While some children may need to be taken into care, no child should be forcefully adopted by the state, against the wishes of the child’s parents. No mother, married or unmarried, should be forced to give up her baby or her child and have her motherhood of that child permanently abolished by the state. This referendum is simply a step too far. The forced adoption of any child against the wishes of its parents is an abuse. This referendum, if passed, will make that abuse legal.

Mrs Sheila O’Regan

Leamlara

Co Cork