Abortion safe zones

The referendum on the Eighth Amendment changed the law, but only the most naïve of optimists will be lulled into believing that opponents of abortion will have changed their minds.

It’s reasonable to assume, as the Department of Health has done, that demonstrations outside clinics and hospitals will be probable rather than possible, and that action will be needed to protect women and medical staff from intimidation and distress while preserving free speech and protest rights.