Don’t forget about a father’s wishes in the abortion debate

An angry Louise O’Neill wrote in the Irish Examiner (Weekend, March 5): ‘Others still knew it was just the wrong man or the wrong time; they wanted to do what was best for them....... And we ignored them. We pretended that they didn’t exist’.

The ‘we’ who are accused of ignoring them are only too aware of their mission abroad, and of the consequences for those who are ignored by the women who travel; primarily their unborn children, but perhaps also the fathers and grandparents who may be opposed to the abortions taking place.

Just prior to the election, I spoke to a woman who was advocating the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. While she stated that most abortions take place at an early stage, I asked if she had any problems with abortions at 30 weeks or beyond. ‘It wouldn’t be ideal’ came the reply, but there was no objection in principle.

The notion of any rights on the part of the unborn or fathers/husbands even at this late stage was dismissed. Given that my/our daughter was born at 32 weeks, I would have to ask who is living in denial.

Ms.O’ Neill may well believe that the women she supports have been ignored, but as she says ‘’they wanted to do what was best for them’. Maybe she might consider the possibility that there are others and other rights in the equation?

Rory O’Donovan

Killeens

Co.Cork