Jennifer Horgan: Holly Cairns was silenced on voting day as were so many other patients

In Ireland, if like Holly Cairns you end up in hospital without warning, your vote evaporates; your voice is silenced, your citizenship taken

Holly Cairns was unable to vote last week because she was giving birth. Nobody seemed all that bothered, but our acceptance of her lost vote places democracy on shaky ground. File picture: Andy Gibson

It’s odd what we will accept without questioning.

Holly Cairns was unable to vote last week because she was giving birth. Nobody seemed all that bothered. We smiled to see the postnatal image released on social media — the small little head of her daughter cradled in her arms.