Abortion in Ireland: A legal quagmire

The legal status of abortion in Ireland remains chaotically unclear despite three controversial referenda being passed since 1983, writes Dan Buckley

What is abortion? A. An abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by the removal or expulsion of a foetus from the womb, resulting in its death. An abortion can occur spontaneously due to complications during pregnancy or can be induced. Abortion is the term most commonly used to describe induced abortion while spontaneous abortions are usually called a miscarriage.

What is the legal position on abortion in the Republic Ireland?