“Currently in the Republic of Ireland, it is a criminal offence to commit the “intentional destruction of unborn human life” which carries a sentence of up to 14 years imprisonment. Amendments to this law were made in 2013 as part of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act which states that a woman may have an abortion if there is a substantial risk to her life (this includes the possibility of suicide) but refuses access to abortion in cases of rape or any other circumstance. As Ireland is a largely Catholic country, it is understandable that much of the population are against abortion but the reality of the matter is that the termination of pregnancies will happen regardless of laws and legislations.
Criminalising abortion does not prevent abortions, it prevents safe abortions.”
sophie. 