35 Comments

• Leitrim666 | Dec 13, 2012, 10:21 AM EST

  Ireland is a democracy and it needs to be left alone to deal with the whole abortion issue arising from the X case. It doesn't need foreign interference from others on the pro- or anti- sides of the debate. Whatever happened to the ideal of self-determination that so many fought for?

• StevieJoe | Dec 12, 2012, 12:07 AM EST

  Respect, Wounded Knee. No I am not a bigot, I am an Irish American, married to an African American woman, and I am aware that 25% of the the population of the African continent is afflicted with the aids virus. Also, I am not "mindless" I have an IQ of 161, and belong to Mensa. However, irrespective of the latter, I also believe that all organized religions were created by man, to control mankind. Sorry to bust your bubble.

• handsome68 | Dec 11, 2012, 08:29 PM EST

  What exactly IS an "Irish-American" anyway? I mean, IrishCentral publishes many stories about people with this appellation who appear to be about as "Irish-American" as a cat. My mom and dad emigrated to the USA from Ireland, so I think I qualify as that hyphenated term. But many of youse liberal omadhauns seem to want to find an Irish origin for Vladimir Putin.

• eiriamach | Dec 11, 2012, 05:13 PM EST

  The Irish are about to experience some of the war on women that we in the 'states have endured throughout the recent political campaign, and it's still ongoing. I can empathize with women and their families and friends who are concerned about the rising Irish maternal death statistics, the stalling of the government, the meddling with legislation by the Catholic bishops, and now pressure from well-funded American surrogates. I might be able to believe that the "pro-lifers" were motivated by love of "the unborn" if they were not constantly spewing forth such hatred of the living in words like "sickening and hypocritical" and "irrational paganism."

• WoundedKnee | Dec 11, 2012, 01:07 PM EST

  Misneac--You're right there. AshamedIrishman appears to be especially dumb. I'd be ashamed to be Irish too if I had to share the same nationality as him.

• misneac | Dec 11, 2012, 10:34 AM EST

  Stanchaz and AshamedIrishman could do with a day out in the real world and eduucate themselves .What nonsense they post !

• WoundedKnee | Dec 11, 2012, 01:50 AM EST

  StevieJoe: In stead of mindless bigotry, do you even know any of the statistics about AIDS infection in African countries? The ones where condom distribution is national policy? South Africa, for example? I guess not--easier to roar abuse and hate.

• StevieJoe | Dec 11, 2012, 12:21 AM EST

  This is one of the pro-life groups that spent a small fortune trying to block the shipment of condoms to Africa a few years ago, to prevent aids. What a mindset, let the Africans die, but save the fetus. These Jesus Freaks were brain washed by the Church as children, I truly feel sorry for them.

• Paradigm | Dec 10, 2012, 07:03 PM EST

  Bit of a contradiction stanJames - do you mean the idea that we allow gays to marry resolves the problem of whether or not we kill babies in the womb. Harryhippo, I doubt that anyone under 40 remembers the 'x case' so don't flatter your conscience with that line!

• stanJames | Dec 10, 2012, 06:52 PM EST

  the more the church goes againsm abortion via its various appendages the sooner it will no longer be a force in Ireland. Irelands people support allowing gays to marry by almost 3 to 1 meanwhile the popes idea of supporting life is shown by how he UNexcommunciated a holocaust denier, Bishop Williamson in 2009 Google for it.

• mairint | Dec 10, 2012, 05:54 PM EST

  Why oh WHY do you keep repeating "refused an abortion" when that was NOT the case. That is false journalism. Print what the original reporter said in the follow up to her 'breaking the story'. To open the flood gates in Ireland which would lead to the deaths of untold thousands of innocent lives is a very irresponsbible and deliberate act by the media that tilts profoundly to the left. It goes with the territory of irrational paganism.

• Happyhippo | Dec 10, 2012, 04:11 PM EST

  Jeez what a hornets nest here,@Paradigm the figure of 82% you refer to is not for abortion per se,which was rejected in referendum, but refers to the support for the Supreme Courts decision on the x case 20 years ago which stated, termination is permissible when the life of the mother is at risk,in the of case of rape,and in the case of suicide threat,the problem is those elected to legislate kicked the can down the road very time.But the unfortunate Savita's case has brought it right back and opened up a very ugly debate between the Pro's and Anti's

• WoundedKnee | Dec 10, 2012, 02:24 PM EST

  AhamedIrishman: "a tourist image of quaint begorah and leprechauns". You truly come out with utter nonsense. I have never seen any tourist marketing campaign from Ireland which uses the kind of stupid nonsense you exemplify. You know nothing of Ireland's "tourist image". In fact the only leprechauns (and what's wrong with leprechauns, by the way--are you ashamed of irish traditions or just ignorant?) I have ever seen in Ireland were costumes worn by Irish people attending soccer or rugby games. Grow up and travel a little. You're a narrow-minded bigot.

• WoundedKnee | Dec 10, 2012, 02:19 PM EST

  "everyone in Ireland was in shock at what occurred.". No they weren't, AshamedIrishman. Don't be an idiot--ascribing your own opinions to everyone else.

• AshamedIrishman | Dec 10, 2012, 02:16 PM EST

  Regardless of religious views on abortion and the choice, how many of you know the actual verifiable facts of the Savita Case? . It's the outrage of the people of the Republic of Ireland at how this woman and her family were treated by the public hospital and therefore Irish Government, that is driving this news. . Savita requested an abortion because the life of her unborn child was threatening *her* life. It was the delaying and refusal of doctors that lead to the loss of *two* lives. If, as you say, you are pro-life then this chain of events should appal you. If it doesn't, then you need to reevaluate your values. . That said, after the last few years of public bodies essentially mistreating the Irish Public, everyone in Ireland was in shock at what occurred. The money that is being raised and sent to the Irish group? Perhaps they could be a little more altruistic and donate it against the Irish debt to the IMF? Those type of good deeds would be better for the average Irish person than yet more placards and billboards. . The thing is, I know that you will lambast, attack and refuse to listen to any type of reasonable argument. This is the Internet after all, and people of all stripes can be bigoted an ignorant. . If you doubt my "irishness": Born, raised and still living in this third world country, that keeps coasting on a tourist image of quaint begorah and leprechauns. Perhaps it's these types of issues that re needed to drag this country out of the mud and the Aran sweaters. . Food for thought, and the main point. Put yourself or your loved ones in Savita's position. Would you let them die, in pain and despair, for what amounts to a point of honour? Ask yourself that, in the silence of your own thoughts.

• WoundedKnee | Dec 10, 2012, 02:05 PM EST

  Jayfay--"we're talking about Irish-Maericans giving money to an Irish cause that they don't understand properly"... Is there something about abortion in Ireland that makes it harder to understand than abortion anywhere else, Jayfay? What garbage you write.

• WoundedKnee | Dec 10, 2012, 02:03 PM EST

  Hayfay--What's a "So called 'Irish-American'? I'm an Irish-American, not a so-called one. Are you a so-called idiot? Or just a so-called Irish?

• Gearoid4 | Dec 10, 2012, 01:47 PM EST

  This faux outrage at the financial contribution of pro-life activists in the US to their Irish counterparts is rather sickening and hypocritical when one consider the well oiled monetary machine that backs the pro-abortionist movement world wide.

• PhlutiePhan | Dec 10, 2012, 01:13 PM EST

  Sure and begorrah as an Irish Navy vet, I would remind you of the fact of "pro life" and not anti abortion. Say what you will, the Land of St. Patrick is the isle of Catholic belief no matter what the socialist intentions of Gerry Adams and the rest of the snakes who returned with him.

• Mortimer74 | Dec 10, 2012, 12:48 PM EST

  Excellent news. Where do i make my contribution? Greatly amused by the farcical and hysterical media commentary-social media "outrage"-opinion poll-media back-tracking-around we go again over the Savita case. Having proud Irish blood, I am sure that cool heads will prevail. The "progressive" (?!) Irish seem desperate at the moment to jump onto any story with which to attack the Catholic Church. But they keep shooting themselves in the foot. They are looking pretty gullible from where I stand. The solid Irish of my stock have seen right through the charade.

• stanchaz | Dec 10, 2012, 12:37 PM EST

  Bravo! But...I am sure that Rome will send tons of $$$ to keep their vassal state in line

• katiemac | Dec 10, 2012, 12:24 PM EST

  I have no problem if you wish to ignore the Church. I just ask that you try to pay attention to science. The pro-abortion crowd has long based its 'not a baby, a 'clump of cells' argument. I agree. It is a clump of cells, as all human beings are. Modern science can now prove that at the moment of conception a unique human DNA is created. So we know it is an individual, because it is unique from other human DNA. We know it is alive, because it is growing. Unique, human, alive, sounds like a person to me. The 2nd pro-abortion argument is the tired old 'my body, my choice'. Well science has, as stated above proven that the 'product of conception' is in point of fact, NOT your body, but that of someone else, completely separate and unique. To say that the woman's convenience outweighs the child's value as a human being, is to discrimate based on size and or age. Further modern ultrasound imagery again disproves the 'clump of cells' and the 'my body' claims and has moved the pro-abortion faction to new radicalism as they admit that , yeah, it is a baby, but it is a parasite and should be allowed to be eliminated as if it were no more than pin worms. In fact, this argument almost makes the child the 'property' of the woman, which she wants to be allowed to dispose of at will. Isn't ownership of another human being slavery? And isn't slavery agaianst the law in all civilized nations? Abortion is all sold as 'women's health issues' when abortion, legal or otherwise is not healthy for either women or children, and can contribute to health complications from excessive bleeding, to permanent infertility, to death. Claims of feminism are lies as well. Why must I suppress the fecundity that makes me a woman in order to be equal? Why must a woman be allowed to kill her children in order to be equal, when men are not allowed the same 'right'. It is almost as if feminists are saying, 'we are not equal so we need this little handicap to become equal.'

• Joe Kelsall | Dec 10, 2012, 12:10 PM EST

  I wonder if this Yankee anti abortion group made any complaints about the hundreds of thousands of Iraqi children 'aborted'after birth? Let themfeck off and concentrate on the starving children in Sout East Texas!

• liammurf | Dec 10, 2012, 11:44 AM EST

  For on, it's is not a "Woman" issue. Must they be reminded that there are three souls in this equation.. The mother, Father and the child. They should all get an equal say is this matter perhaps the father would and should step forward and want to raise this child. Perhaps the 'kid' might want to have a say, he/she is the most innocent of them all. A life is a life no matter how heavy they weigh Savita's death could be blamed on the medical scene. She had already miscarried. How about placing the kid up for adoption, and making another family very happy. What a wonderful idea.

• Eschetic | Dec 10, 2012, 11:39 AM EST

  While I don't agree with their premise that denies early church teaching that "life" does not begin until "the quickening" (ironically, that AGREES with most modern restrictions on abortion - after the first trimester), if these donors are sincere in their belief that they are "protecting babies" (and at least a few of them are), they should, ethically, do all in their power to stand in the way of a woman's right to control her own body. It is ironic however, that you don't hear the usual right wing voices bleating that "foreigners" should mind their own business when it is a right wing cause being supported. I hate to conclude - but it is hard not to - that one should never expect consistency or genuine ethics from a right winger.

• JayFay | Dec 10, 2012, 11:17 AM EST

  eiriamach - we're talking about Irish-Maericans giving money to an Irish cause that they don't understand properly. Something they have dubious record on. We're not talking about women around the world being sympathetic - we're talking the opposite of that.

• eiriamach | Dec 10, 2012, 11:12 AM EST

  Women's issues have a global scope, John Fay. Don't expect any woman in any part of the world to ignore the protests and pressure in Ireland now in the wake of Savita's death and recent revelations about other such deaths, such as Niall Hunter's on irishhealth.com, 11/15/12.

• JayFay | Dec 10, 2012, 11:10 AM EST

  Paradigm - including all those pro-choice people who don't have any kids?

• Paradigm | Dec 10, 2012, 11:07 AM EST

  Not at all JayFay - most people make decisions based on logic - hence 82% in favour of pre-natal killing woulde surely suggest the 'unwanted experience'

• JayFay | Dec 10, 2012, 11:02 AM EST

  Paradigm - why would being pro-choice indicate having an unwanted child at home? Some very strange logic there.

• Paradigm | Dec 10, 2012, 10:46 AM EST

  Can anyone explain why Ireland with a Law opposing abortion has, according to the pro-abortion lobby, about 82% in favour of change. Surely that indicates that there must be an unwanted child (even children) in 82% of Irish homes?

• JayFay | Dec 10, 2012, 10:24 AM EST

  I agree with bunkerisland. So called 'Irish-American' have already done enough harm down the years with contributing to Irish issues which they don't fully understand. And Irishphotograph - how dare you presume to speak on the behalf of all Irish people. YOU do not represent Irish people. And 'Irish Identity is defined as putting the poor and oppressed before ourselves.'? Tell that to the Irish bankers and politians who continue to live the highlife while and poor and oppressed get more poor and more oppressed. What planet do you live on?

• Seanmor | Dec 10, 2012, 10:22 AM EST

  By "Ireland" this article means the part of the homeland under the Dáil's jurisdiction, not the whole Irish nation. The fact is that the laws in the part of Ireland north of the artificial border also protect the lives of the unborn, and the Partitionist government in Dublin recognizes Northern residents as Irish citizens. Many in the Irish community in the U.S. that back the pro-life position in Ireland also support the NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee's opposition to displaying homosexual banners in the annual parade on March 17.

• Irishphotograph | Dec 10, 2012, 09:33 AM EST

  Bunkerisland below does not represent Irish values. The Irish Identity is defined as putting the poor and oppressed before ourselves. There is no such person as oppressed as a defenceless unborn baby in their mothers womb.

• bunkerisland | Dec 10, 2012, 08:25 AM EST

  There are situations where people in the States should mind their own business!