Irish voters set to liberalise abortion laws in landslide - exit poll

By Padraic Halpin and Graham Fahy

 

A woman holds stickers in Dublin. REUTERS/Max Rossi

 

DUBLIN (Reuters) - The people of Ireland are set to liberalise some of the world's most restrictive abortion laws by a landslide, an exit poll showed on Friday, as voters demanded change in what two decades ago was one of Europe's most socially conservative countries.

 

The Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI exit poll suggested that voters in the once deeply Catholic nation had backed a referendum by a margin of 68 percent to 32 percent. A second exit poll was due to be published by 2230 GMT.

 

"Not the official result, but it's looking good!," Irish Culture Minister Josepha Madigan, co-ordinator for Prime Minister Leo Varadkar's governing party's campaign for a "Yes" vite, said on Twitter.

 

Vote-counting begins at 0800 GMT on Saturday, with the first indication of results expected mid-morning.

 

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan called it "another big step out of our dark past."

 

Varadkar called the referendum a once-in-a-generation chance and voters responded with national broadcaster RTE reporting that turnout could be one of the highest for a referendum, potentially topping the 61 percent who backed gay marriage by a large margin in 2015.

 

Voters were asked if they wish to scrap a 1983 amendment to the constitution that gives an unborn child and its mother equal rights to life. The consequent prohibition on abortion was partly lifted in 2013 for cases where the mother's life is in danger.

 

Ireland legalised divorce by a razor-thin majority only in 1995, but became the first country to adopt gay marriage by popular vote in the 2015 referendum.

 

But no social issue has divided its 4.8 million people as sharply as abortion, which was pushed up the political agenda by the death in 2012 of a 31-year-old Indian immigrant from a septic miscarriage after she was refused a termination.

 

Yet the exit poll showed overwhelming majorities in all age groups under 65 voted for change, including almost nine in every 10 voters under the age of 24.

 

It suggested the highest "Yes" vote was in Dublin, where 77 percent of voters were in favour, but there was no sharp urban/rural divide as in previous referendums on the subject, with all provincial areas backing the proposals.

 

"So many women have travelled across to England to take care of their family and healthcare needs and I think it's a disgrace and it needs to change," said "Yes" voter Sophie O'Gara, 28, referring to women who travel to Britain for abortions.

 

FIERCE CAMPAIGN

 

The fiercely contested vote has divided political parties, seen the once-mighty church take a back seat, and become a test case for how global internet giants deal with social media advertising in political campaigns.

 

Unlike in 1983, when religion was front and centre and abortion was a taboo subject for most, the campaign was defined by women on both sides publicly describing their personal experiences of terminations.

 

"Yes" campaigners argued that with over 3,000 women travelling to Britain each year for terminations -- a right enshrined in a 1992 referendum -- and others ordering pills illegally online, abortion is already a reality in Ireland.

 

Although not on the ballot paper, the "No" camp seized on government plans to allow abortions with no restriction up to 12 weeks into a pregnancy if the referendum is carried, calling it a human rights issue and a step too far for most voters.

 

"I think it's important that we protect the unborn babies, people don't care anymore about the dignity of human life. I've a family myself and I think it's really important," said John Devlin, a marketing worker in his 50s who voted "No" near Dublin's city centre.

 

The Irish government's push to liberalise the laws is in contrast to the United States, where abortion has long been legal, but President Donald Trump backs stripping federal funding from women's health care clinics that offer abortions.

 

HOME TO VOTE

 

Videos shared on social media showed scores of voters arriving home at Irish airports from abroad. Ireland does not allow expatriates to vote via post or in embassies but those away for less than 18 months remain on the electoral roll.

 

As with the gay marriage referendum, those using the #hometovote hashtag on Twitter appeared overwhelmingly to back change. Many posted photos of themselves wearing sweatshirts bearing the "Repeal" slogan.

 

"Women and girls should not be made into healthcare refugees when they are in a time of crisis," said Niamh Kelly, 27, who paid 800 euros and travelled 20 hours to return home from Hanoi where she works as an English teacher.

 

"This is a once in a lifetime generation chance to lift the culture of shame that surrounds this issue so it was really important to me to be part of that."

 

Graphic on abortion policies worldwide: https://tmsnrt.rs/2Lu7DM7

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-26

Good news. The U.S. under Trump seems to be going in the opposite direction.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

So much for father's rights. A woman can legally murder you baby, or if she chooses get deliberately pregnant and screw you for the next 20 years in child support.

Whilst I support the right of abortion in certain cases - rapes, bad medical conditions etc, the fact that a father had absolutely no input into these things is a total disgrace and any women considering abortion without talking it through with the father is a complete piece of trash as far as I am concerned.

Good on the Irish if this holds. 

" the fact that a father had absolutely no input into these things " Unless she went to a sperm bank, I would imagine the male that impregnated her had at least a little input.

Another blow to the RC church.

1 hour ago, RichardColeman said:

So much for father's rights. A woman can legally murder you baby, or if she chooses get deliberately pregnant and screw you for the next 20 years in child support.

Whilst I support the right of abortion in certain cases - rapes, bad medical conditions etc, the fact that a father had absolutely no input into these things is a total disgrace and any women considering abortion without talking it through with the father is a complete piece of trash as far as I am concerned.

When a man can carry a parasite for 9 months, ruin their figure, cause them morning sickness and put their life at risk, then a man can have a say in it.

IMO men have nothing to say about it if they ain't prepared to use a condom every time.

Far as I'm concerned, any man that would force a woman to carry a baby to term against their wishes is a complete piece of trash.

I see a the typical chauvinists are responding to the threat to their male dominance. The key phrase is "to be"  as in fathers to be, or  not yet fathers.

Or do you think a husband to be has the right to control his future wife?

 

Let's look at it from a different perspective. You impregnate a woman against her wishes: That should be construed as assault. By sheer negligence on your part you have inflicted upon her a life she didn't want.

 

If a man doesn't want to endure this attack upon his ego, then it's his duty to ensure it doesn't happen, either by keeping his dick in his pants or ensuring adequate prevention. Other than that, a woman has the right to choose

 

Edited May 26, 20188 yr by grumbleweed

4 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Another blow to the RC church.

Ah, the RC church, the organisation that gave Ireland the laundries for naughty girls, sadistic teachers ( nuns and priests alike ), and the world paedophile priests.

 

Welcome to the 21st century, Ireland.

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

So much for father's rights. A woman can legally murder you baby, or if she chooses get deliberately pregnant and screw you for the next 20 years in child support.

Whilst I support the right of abortion in certain cases - rapes, bad medical conditions etc, the fact that a father had absolutely no input into these things is a total disgrace and any women considering abortion without talking it through with the father is a complete piece of trash as far as I am concerned.

It all depends on what you mean by "talking it through". Do you mean that if they disagree, the prospective father gets to veto the abortion?

Good ,just good ,about time .

5 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Good news. The U.S. under Trump seems to be going in the opposite direction.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

Clarify with other then rumors 

6 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

So much for father's rights. A woman can legally murder you baby, or if she chooses get deliberately pregnant and screw you for the next 20 years in child support.

Whilst I support the right of abortion in certain cases - rapes, bad medical conditions etc, the fact that a father had absolutely no input into these things is a total disgrace and any women considering abortion without talking it through with the father is a complete piece of trash as far as I am concerned.

"...murder your baby..."?

You understand how abortion works, do you?!

It's not like "Oooooh...there is little Maggie...now shoot her!"

6 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

So much for father's rights. A woman can legally murder you baby, or if she chooses get deliberately pregnant and screw you for the next 20 years in child support.

Whilst I support the right of abortion in certain cases - rapes, bad medical conditions etc, the fact that a father had absolutely no input into these things is a total disgrace and any women considering abortion without talking it through with the father is a complete piece of trash as far as I am concerned.

Another thing: let's have a look a t Thailand, shall we!?

With it's rich cultural tradition, of men, knocking up women left and right and NEVER taking responsibility for their action!

So much for the "fathers" rights- what about the duties?!

https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2018/0526/966120-eighth-amendment-referendum/

 

One in the teeth for Bigots...

 

You see them outside clinics in the UK intercepting any woman approaching the clinics, do they not think a woman has not done enough soul searching, been counselled on other options, eta.

 

The Catholic Church says no to Birth Control, yet I do not see it helping out those that can not afford to bring up another child. 

Edited May 26, 20188 yr by Basil B

5 hours ago, bert bloggs said:

Good ,just good ,about time .

We have gone through a couple of years of complete lunacy around the world.  At last some common sense.  Let's hope that grows and we can get back to making the right decisions!

 

Just announced that the No camp has conceded and that the people have overwhelmingly voted for change.  Well done Ireland!

Edited May 26, 20188 yr by dunroaming

Many women are raped by their husbands, it still goes on these days...

 

Lets look at the USA, Harvey Weinstein, just the tip of the Ice Burg sleep with your boss if you want to keep your job, his choice to wear a condom or not.

 

One thing for sure the exit poles are indicating that those of the faith who attend mass tomorrow are in for a hell of a bible thumping sermon on "the damnation of hell"

13 minutes ago, Basil B said:

Many women are raped by their husbands, it still goes on these days... 

 

Lets look at the USA, Harvey Weinstein, just the tip of the Ice Burg sleep with your boss if you want to keep your job, his choice to wear a condom or not.

 

One thing for sure the exit poles are indicating that those of the faith who attend mass tomorrow are in for a hell of a bible thumping sermon on "the damnation of hell"

This is not an issue of rape and you know it.

 

The majority of women getting abortions aren't raped. They're irresponsible.

 

And I don't know what our discussion has to do with religion. It sounds like you have some unresolved issues with one religion in particular. Might want to get that figured out.

Edited May 26, 20188 yr by Rigby40

6 minutes ago, Rigby40 said:

This is not an issue of rape and you know it.

 

The majority of women getting abortions aren't raped. They're irresponsible.

And the men aren't?  Utter rubbish man!

3 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

And the men aren't?  Utter rubbish man!

When did I absolve the men of responsibility?

What's utter rubbish are your assumptions.

1 minute ago, Rigby40 said:

When did I absolve the men of responsibility?

What's utter rubbish are your assumptions.

Then try again because men are equally guilty and in many cases more so.  If you are a wife in Ireland and Paddy comes home from the pub after a skin full on a Friday night, try telling him, "not tonight darling".  I don't know what world you live in but it sure is a long way away from the real one.

 

But hold on!  I have just realised that you are playing us all ?  Well done Rigby!

47 minutes ago, Rigby40 said:

This is not an issue of rape and you know it.

 

The majority of women getting abortions aren't raped. They're irresponsible.

 

And I don't know what our discussion has to do with religion. It sounds like you have some unresolved issues with one religion in particular. Might want to get that figured out.

The majority of women getting wanting abortions aren't raped. They're irresponsible. so are the men who put them in the club...

The women who are raped can not have an abortion under the present legislation.

And religion (Catholic and Protestant) is at the heart of Ireland's problems.

 

As for religion, I was baptised, but I did not consent, at an early age I soon worked out there was no Farther Christmas, so the stories of the Bible just seemed fiction too, having to attend school assembly because of archaic laws dating back to when politician had to be good Christians (or pretend to be) to get elected put me really off religion.

 

Edited May 26, 20188 yr by Basil B

Quote

Who was Savita Halappanavar?

Savita Halappanavar died in a Galway hospital in 2012 from sepsis after suffering complications during a miscarriage at 17 weeks.

Her family said she repeatedly requested an abortion from medical staff, but was denied because of the presence of a foetal heartbeat.

Multiple reports and inquests found medical failure in her death.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-northern-ireland-44236535

 

A inflammatory off topic post and replies to it have been removed. 

1 hour ago, dunroaming said:

We have gone through a couple of years of complete lunacy around the world.  At last some common sense.  Let's hope that grows and we can get back to making the right decisions!

 

Just announced that the No camp has conceded and that the people have overwhelmingly voted for change.  Well done Ireland!

No, only Eire(ROL), not NI.

 

I am sure it is safe to say the out come of the referendum is clear, just the numbers and how big is the majority?

 

As for N.I. without a functioning devolved government will Westminster impose change or hold a referendum. 

46 minutes ago, Basil B said:

No, only Eire(ROL), not NI.

 

I am sure it is safe to say the out come of the referendum is clear, just the numbers and how big is the majority?

 

As for N.I. without a functioning devolved government will Westminster impose change or hold a referendum. 

Valid point!

 

Looking like two thirds voted for change.  That really is a landslide!

Edited May 26, 20188 yr by dunroaming

3 hours ago, Rigby40 said:

This is not an issue of rape and you know it.

 

The majority of women getting abortions aren't raped. They're irresponsible.

 

And I don't know what our discussion has to do with religion. It sounds like you have some unresolved issues with one religion in particular. Might want to get that figured out.

Oh look...the troll is back!

 

a) Rape is PART of the issue and YOU know it! So stop playing with words!

b ) Majority of women are having abortions for medical reasons! Try to keep up!

c) the discussion has everything to do with religion, as in Ireland (among other countries) the (catholic) church has a big influence on politics and social issue!

But you also know that, too which makes you an even bigger troll!

 

Please go back under your bridge!

3 hours ago, Rigby40 said:

This is not an issue of rape and you know it.

 

The majority of women getting abortions aren't raped. They're irresponsible.

 

And I don't know what our discussion has to do with religion. It sounds like you have some unresolved issues with one religion in particular. Might want to get that figured out.

Well, considering that the Catholic Church strongly opposes all forms of artificial birth control, I'd say it has plenty to do with it.

 Those with an agenda form the issue in polarizing terms ,at both ends of the spectrum, most people live in the middle.

   No indiscriminate abortion, but admissible under pragmatic guidelines, End of story.

2 hours ago, dunroaming said:

2 hours ago, Basil B said:

No, only Eire(ROL), not NI.

 

I am sure it is safe to say the out come of the referendum is clear, just the numbers and how big is the majority?

 

As for N.I. without a functioning devolved government will Westminster impose change or hold a referendum. 

Valid point!

 

Looking like two thirds voted for change.  That really is a landslide!

 

Surprisingly;

Quote

'A clear message of compassion' - Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald

"This campaign ends decades of women and girls in the most appalling of circumstances being exiled from their own country just to get the care they need. It's a clear message of compassion, of progress."

And 

Quote

The DUP MLA Jim Wells, a former NI health minister, says the expected result of the referendum "is an extremely worrying development for the protection of the unborn child in Northern Ireland".

 

I think this is one issue that both DUP and Sinn Fain may just be happy for Westminster to take matters out of their hands