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Major security for Northern Ireland’s first abortion clinic in Belfast

Clinic set to open on Thursday amid protests and fears of violence

KERRY O'SHEA,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Monday, October 15, 2012, 7:39 AM

Updated Monday, October 15, 2012, 9:35 AM

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The Belfast center’s programme director is Dawn Purvis, the former leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, a fringe loyalist party

Photo by Google images

Massive security is expected for Northern Ireland’s first ever abortion clinic set to open this Thursday in Belfast.

Groups such as Precious Life have promised that they will protest the clinic in Belfast and will try to get women to consider other options than abortion.

Tracey McNeil, the director of UK and Europe for Marie Stopes, told The Guardian that she had concerns about the safety of staff and clients using their services.

"We have looked very close at security and we have got arrangements in place," she said.

Asked if security guards would be in place at the Belfast clinic, McNeil replied: "Yes, there will, but you know I really hope it's peaceful. People have a right to protest and I respect that.

"What I appeal for is that this is peaceful and that we allow our team members and our clients to come in and out of the clinic in a way that they won't feel threatened or abused. But I will do absolutely everything to protect our team and our clients.

Read more: Belfast's Marie Stopes clinic -- the last thing vulnerable women need is a culture war over abortion

"I am always mindful of the security of our team members and that is something we take very seriously. I would be foolish if I was not concerned about that." McNeil added that Marie Stopes is working with the PSNI to ensure peace and safety in the coming weeks.

The new clinic is expected to draw heavy protests as it makes the option of abortion for Irish women more accessible than ever.

Belfast will become the first spot on the entire island to offer abortion services for women who are up to nine weeks pregnant.

The private clinic, Marie Stopes, will be opened just as the Catholic Church puts forth its ‘40 weeks for life’ pro-life campaign which will be protesting any law reform in Dublin regarding abortion.

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IrelandNorth | Oct 17, 2012, 07:46 AM EDT

From the womb to the tomb at Mach 2. Admittedly, abortion is a hoary old chestnut. An imponderable conundrum about which I profess no expertise. An interview with Irish comedian Spike Milligan by Gay Byrne on the Late Late Show many years ago treated of his profound disagreement with his Roman Catholic church's contraceptive policy, on seeing children scavaging for food on a refuse tip outside Mexico city. The lives of all sentient beings is sacrocanct, including the flesh of fellow animals some human(?) beings insist on eating. But how does one reconcile quantity of birth with quality of life. Answers from vegetarian parents only, please!

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pilib04 | Oct 16, 2012, 12:27 PM EDT

Kinsally, you are correct in saying that the 4 leading parties do not support a change. Here is their capsulized positions: “Sinn Fein is not in favour of abortion... Sinn Fein believes that where a woman’s life or mental health is at risk or in grave danger that the final decision rests with the woman.” Ulster Unionist Party spokeswoman Sandra Overend said: “While I have personal concerns on the issue of abortion, I do believe that people should have access to help and advice on their sexual health.” A DUP spokesman said: “The DUP does not support any change to the current abortion laws in Northern Ireland.” SDLP health spokesman Conall McDevitt said: “The SDLP is a pro-life party. (Belfast Telegraph, Oct 13, 2012).

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pilib04 | Oct 16, 2012, 12:20 PM EDT

Kinsally, to be sure, Dawn Purvis resigned as head of the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) BECAUSE OF the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) connection and UVF murder of Bobby Moffet(attributed to the UVF by the International Monitoring Commission).

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Kilsally | Oct 16, 2012, 08:19 AM EDT

Non of the major political parties in Northern Ireland support this - DUP, Sinn Fein, UUP, SDLP - only a couple of MLA`s in the Assembly from the Alliance Party support any liberalisation of abortion law in NI. This Marie Stopes clinic is being run by Dawn Purvis who was formerly elected to the Northern Irish Assembly as a PUP (Progressive Unionist Party) MLA, the political wing of the UVF before she resigned

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TayandCake | Oct 16, 2012, 08:12 AM EDT

jhmdeuce, even if you are from ireland and you're not for this, theres nothing you can do. The bleeding heart liberals control everything. They are Liberal vegan pro-choicer.

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curtisjohnson | Oct 15, 2012, 10:43 PM EDT

Marie Stopes, the eugenicist who promoted her theories directly to the ku klux klan. This should have been sponsored by the University of Ulster.

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KatieMurphy | Oct 15, 2012, 10:27 PM EDT

its hard to support the pope on abortion when in 2009 he UNexcommunicated Bishop Williamson, a holocaust denier.......The man eihter has altsheimers, or his upbringing in Germany polluted his mind...........No wonder so many dont listen to him re abortion.............Just google "pope UNexcommunicates bishop williamson. There are many links from reputable news sources/

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canadianirish | Oct 15, 2012, 08:08 PM EDT

How dreadfully sad. Do these women know that there are thousands of couples here in Canada who would love to adopt an Irish baby? Perhaps Canadians should make the Belfast media aware of this fact. Prayers to all involved.

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katiemac | Oct 15, 2012, 12:05 PM EDT

Prayer and ultrasound are the strongest weapons against this evil.

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jhmdeuce | Oct 15, 2012, 11:47 AM EDT

Why do you regale the fact that an abattoir for infants is now operating in Ireland? You, and all Irish people, should be ashamed that this slaughter of the most innocent of human life will take place on blessed Irish soil. After centuries of attempted slaughter of the Irish by the British, the Irish are now slaughtering their own. This is disgraceful and disgusting. Ireland will pay for these senseless acts of murder.

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kubs | Oct 15, 2012, 09:25 AM EDT

Mairint, please carry your rage for life (real, born life, that is) to the wars & abuses that are being waged by every faith group in the name of their god, or for their own carnal pleasures. Speak as loudly as you can for these abused and abandoned humans , as you do for the unformed fetus, & I promise, I will then be more inclined to hear your rage as a plea for justice.

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mairint | Oct 15, 2012, 09:05 AM EDT

Please do not glamorize that place by calling it a clinic. It is a killing chamber, an abortuary. It is Not a place of healing. When a pregnant mother goes in there are two beating hearts. When she comes out, there is one. The other heart has been stopped by one of the most disgusting methods of extermination imaginable. From being in what should be the safest place in the world for a baby, to what will now be a most dangerous place, the child, depending on how old she is will either be pulled apart, poisoned with saline injection into its heart, and/or vacuumed out with a suction machine. It will then be called 'bio hazard waste'. The mother will never forget what she has done for the rest of her life.

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