A number of pro choice groups – including the Association for Improvement of Medical Services Ireland (AIMS) and Choice Ireland – had asked people to assemble and allow their voices to be heard. Upwards of 1000 people heeded the call, and gathered under the Spire to call for the repeal of the 8th Amendment and the introduction of greater rights for pregnant women.
Speaking to the crowd, Sinead Redmond of AIMS said that “No-one who wasn’t pregnant would have been force fed by court order, or forced into a serious surgical procedure. It’s concerning, but far from surprising.”
Speaking to Hot Press, she called the recent case “deplorable”.
Redmond said: “That woman came to Ireland in the hope that, after being raped, she could have a better life here. She was further violated for weeks and weeks by the Irish state. As a category of horror in Ireland, in 2014, I’d like to say it’s beyond belief. Unfortunately we know that it’s not beyond belief. It’s part of a pattern.”
Many of the protestors pointed out that, while they had always held a pro-choice point of view, recent cases had made them angrier and more vehement that before. Following on from the death of Savita Halappanavar, there is a worrying trend establishing itself in this country.
One protestor, Elaine Brennan, said: “I’ve lived abroad for years. People say to me, ‘Ireland seems to be a civilised country, why is it like this?’ It makes me angry.”
Another, Sarah Dempsey, railed at the implied involvement of Catholic values. “It’s not because we’re a ‘Catholic country’,” she said. “Religion has nothing to do with a woman’s choice.”
There will be another demonstration taking place this Saturday.

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