The Irish Parliament voted the legalization of abortions this December 2018 for the first time in its history. The legalization will get into force after signing by the Irish president Michael D. Higgins. Since now on the abortion is going to be permitted during the first twelve weeks of pregnancy, and later in cases where the pregnant person’s life or health is at risk, or in the cases of a fatal fetal abnormality.
“This is historical moment for the Irish women…” the Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said. 66 percent of voters on the referendum in May this year voted for the legalization of abortion.
Before that the abortion was prohibited in Ireland even in cases of incest, rape, or deathly fetus pathology. This situation was strongly promoted and caused by the Catholic Church, which has a huge influence in Ireland. Maximum punishment for abortion was 14 years of prison till recent times.
Statistically from 1980 around 170 thousand women traveled for abortion to Great Britain.
Irish Family Planning Association to provide abortion services from January 7th
