‘March for Life’ demonstration held outside Sligo University Hospital

Estimates of 800-900 abortions per month being carried out in Ireland have been described as “a devastating tragedy” by Seán Wynne, Drumshanbo Secretary of the Irish Catholic Association Campaign, at a very well attended March for Life last Saturday, outside Sligo University Hospital.

While there are official figures as to the number of abortions/terminations which have taken place in Ireland since the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 came into effect, the START group, (Southern Task Group on Abortion & Reproductive Topics) which represents some of the medical professionals involved in abortion provision, said its members estimate they are carrying out between 800-900 terminations per month.

Commenting on termination figures, Seán Wynne expressed dismay that rather than being horrified at the number of terminations / abortions taking place, these START medics have been campaigning for additional changes to the legislation, which they claim are needed, changes which would in fact facilitate even more abortions/terminations.

“It is stunning how the goalposts keep shifting, without any scrutiny or hard questions being asked.

“The public was misled every step of the way during the referendum campaign, as people were repeatedly told, and falsely reassured, that abortions/ terminations/ unlawful killings would be restricted in the event of the Eighth Amendment being repealed,” he said.

Mr Wynne continued, “But now the sad and tragic truth is starting to emerge. Pro-life campaigners were accused of scaremongering in the run up to the referendum, but based on the latest figures, if anything, they underestimated what would happen in Ireland if the 8th amendment was repealed, now that we see the true figures emerging.

“Factoring in the number of abortion pills previously bought online, as well as the drop in the number of Irish women travelling to England for abortions, 800-900 abortions per month still represents an almost trebling of Ireland’s abortion rate, or, over 12,000 terminations in one year.

“97% of babies terminated are perfectly healthy, so the question must be asked; why are life-giving alternatives to abortion not even being discussed?” said Seán Wynne.

He added, “This outcome is a devastating tragedy and a huge indictment of the Government, resulting from all of the misleading statements made during the referendum campaign five years ago, as well as their refusal to support positive alternatives to terminations.

“The Minister for Health at the time of the referendum, Simon Harris, closed his eyes and ears to everyone who predicted what was likely to happen in the event of repeal of the 8th amendment.”

In conclusion, Mr Wynne said, “We are hugely encouraged by the way in which pro-life activists remain committed to the right to life of all human beings, given the setback that happened in 2018.

“Responsibly and persistently, we will fight on to ensure that the truth gets out about the kind of abortion/termination regime that this Fine Gael-led government has introduced.

“One only has to look at what’s happening in other countries, with great hope and optimism, to see that this battle for the right to life of the unborn is far from over,” Mr Wynne concluded.