Poll shows a Yes majority as the Irish public head to voting stations today.
As Ireland today votes on the question of whether or not to repeal the eighth amendment to the Irish constitution which grants an equal right to life to both the unborn and the mother, IrishCentral readers have shown their support for the Yes campaign and the repeal of the constitutional ban on abortion in Ireland.
When asked the question “How will you vote in Friday's referendum on the 8th amendment?” 59% of IrishCentral readers voted for “Yes, repeal the eighth amendment” with 41% voting for “No, keep the eighth amendment.”
In total, 328 votes were cast; 195 for Yes and 133 for No.
Heuston Station is so busy it’s like Christmas. A sea of people wearing #Yes badges heading #hometovote. It is truly heartening to know so many people want to make this a safer, more compassionate country for women. Our future lies in #yes. #repealtheeight
— Cara O'Doherty (@CaraODoherty8) May 25, 2018
“I will be voting to repeal,” commented reader Éamonn Reilly. “We have exported our problems for long enough.”
“Those who vote in the referendum should do so in the full knowledge that they have the lives of untold thousands of vulnerable and defenseless Irish children in their hands because that is exactly what is at stake in this vote,” argued another reader.
Read more: Irish around the world travel #hometovote in Ireland’s abortion referendum
My nanny and grandad are #togetherforyes #repealtheeight #voteyes pic.twitter.com/Wt6eBZ0vyo
— Rach (@RachEnnis_) May 25, 2018
“Choose to protect human life. That is the first and the ultimate human right.”
Today, the people of Ireland vote on whether to make Ireland's abortion laws - which are currently some of the most restrictive in the world - more liberal.
Currently, the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Ireland, ratified in 1983, gives mothers and unborn equal rights to life. On May 25, 2018, the Irish public will have the chance to vote to allow the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann) to put forth new abortion legislation.
Read more: Irish woman in labor leaves hospital to vote in today’s referendum
While abortion is supposed to be allowed in Ireland if the life of the mother is at risk, it is illegal apart from this, even in the cases of rape, incest, or a fatal fetal abnormality. Despite this, it is estimated that as many as 12 Irish women a day travel abroad for an abortion or illegally purchase abortion pills.
May 25 marks the first time the Irish people will have voiced their opinions on the issue of abortion since 1983. There were unsuccessful referendums in 1992 and in 2002 which would have overturned this decision and removed the risk of suicide as a ground for an abortion, with regard to the famous "X Case", when a 13-year-old girl was denied abortion after she was raped.
You can find more information on the referendum here.
Have you voted yet today? Which campaign will win? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section, below.
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