Irish calls for ‘life-affirming alternatives’ are heard

Thousands of people marched through Dublin for the annual “March for Life” on 4 May. Church services took places before the march which was attended by people from all over Ireland. The march was organised by the Pro Life Campaign and called for “life affirming alternatives, practical help for women in crisis, and policies that protect both mother and child.”

Abortion was illegal in the Republic of Ireland until 2019. Prior to 2019, women would travel to England for terminations. Abortion was legalised following a 2018 referendum and according to Ireland’s Department of Health, 10,852 abortions took place in 2024. This was a 62% increase since abortion was legalised in 2019 when the number of abortions were 6,666. The Iona Institute states that one-sixth of pregnancies in Ireland now end in abortion.

Current abortion laws in Ireland allow for unrestricted termination up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. After 12 weeks, abortion is permitted due to fatal fetal abnormality, or if there is a risk to the life or health of the woman. Within the current 12-week time limit, there is a mandatory three-day wait between the initial consultation and the termination. The Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill and Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Amendment Bill are currently being debated in the Dáil (Irish parliament). Those supporting the bills are attempting to make further changes to Ireland’s abortion laws including making the three-day wait between the initial consultation and termination optional rather than mandatory. Those attending the “March for Life” called on the government to maintain the three-day wait. In addition the aims of the march were to highlight Ireland’s rising abortion numbers and to campaign for information and support to be made available to women. Ireland’s 2025 abortion figures are expected to be released in July. Please pray for Ireland and that the bills currently being debated, which if passed would further increase access to abortion, will be defeated.