Abortion in Ireland

Abortion in Ireland

What is an abortion? According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary an abortion is “the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus.” Abortion has been one of the most controversial issues in Ireland. In the last 30 years, the issue of abortion has risen tremendously.

In 1861 the Offences Against the Person Act was passed which criminalized women who “procure a miscarriage.” This Act was carried out when the Republic of Ireland gained independence in 1921. 95% of the Republic of Ireland in the early 1900s was Roman Catholic. This dominance of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland during this time has major influence over the issue of abortion. The Church believes that life begins at the moment of conception and that neither the mother’s life nor the unborn baby’s life may be deliberately and directly terminated for any cause. This firm belief has resulted in many people to stand strong on the issue that abortion is wrong.

In the early 1980s there was a rise in anti-abortion activists. These activists believed that the 1937 Constitution could be interpreted in a way in which can allow for the legalization of abortion. According to Articles 40.3.1, “The State recognizes in its laws to respect and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate the personal right of the citizen.” Also Article 40.3.1 states “ The State shall, in particular, by its laws protect as best it may from unjust attack and, in the case of injustice done, vindicate the life, person, good name and property right of every citizen.” These two articles can be interpreted in a way that a woman has the personal right and respect from the state to make there own decision. The anti-abortionists wanted an amendment that made it more specific on the prohibition of abortion. The anti-abortionists finally got what they wanted soon after. In 1983 another Article was added to the 8th...