Ireland waits on rape case
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Irish cabinet yesterday debated the country's renewed abortion nightmare amid expectations that the Dublin High Court may be asked to approve a termination for a pregnant rape victim aged 13.
The latest controversy resembles the 1992 "X" case when a court banned a pregnant 14-year-old from travelling abroad to have an abortion. That restriction was later lifted.
The present girl's family are travellers living in a dilapidated caravan in west Dublin without running water. She was raped while babysitting for friends of her parents 12 weeks ago and is now with a foster family. The case is expected to come before the High Court once psychiatric reports on the girl's state of health are prepared. The health authority needs legal direction before it can initiate or fund an abortion.
Two referendums in 1992 guaranteed women's rights to travel abroad and obtain abortion information. A third, proposing legal abortion where the life of the mother was at stake, failed to win approval. As a result the abortion law remains the 1983 amendment giving the mother and unborn child equal rights to life, a formula that may lead the High Court to block a termination.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments