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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Abortion numbers rose to 10,852 in State in 2024
The number of women who had abortions in Ireland last year rose to 10,852. The figure, which was released by the Department of Health , represents the highest number of terminations carried out since the law was changed following the 2018 referendum. The majority (10,711) were early pregnancy terminations, where a woman takes two types of medicines prescribed by a GP up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. A total of 108 terminations were due to a diagnosed fatal foetal abnormality where there was a condition likely to lead to death of the foetus. A further 24 pregnancies were terminated due to risk to the life or health of the mother, while nine terminations involved an emergency intervention. READ MORE The highest number of terminations in 2024 were recorded in January (1,056), May (967) and July (952) with the lowest in February (820). Dublin was the area of residence given by 4,125 women, with 957 from Cork and 507 from Galway. A total of 450 women did not disclose their county while eight travelled from Northern Ireland. The number of terminations carried out in 2023 was 10,033. About 240 women travel to the UK from Ireland every year to access abortion care, said the National Women's Council. Barrister Marie O'Shea was commissioned by the Department of Health to conduct a review on foot of the introduction of abortion legislation three years after its implementation in early 2019. Among her recommendations were that the mandatory three-day waiting period, before termination medication can be prescribed, be made optional. Speaking last year, Ms O'Shea called on the Government to prioritise ongoing issues with the legislation, saying vulnerable women who continue to be forced abroad for terminations were being treated like 'criminals'.


Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
‘Significant and necessary': Advocacy groups welcome proposal to change ‘honest belief' rape defence
Sexual violence support groups have welcomed proposed changes to consent law that could see 'honest' belief of consent no longer being considered a legal defence in rape cases. Rape Crisis Ireland (RCI) executive director Dr Clíona Saidléar said the change would raise the current 'low bar' of consent law in Ireland. 'This reform will be a modest change where defendants can no longer simply rely on their own understanding of an honest belief they had consent,' Dr Saidléar said. 'The change, which has been under discussion since 2016, will raise this low bar and require that that belief not only be honestly held, but also reasonable.' READ MORE The planned reform is at an advanced stage, with backing from the Law Reform Commission and as a key part of the Government's plan to take action on consent laws. Welcoming the reform, RCI said the 'paramount concern' for survivors of sexual violence is that laws and policies effectively uphold and deliver justice. The organisation added that it would closely examine the legislation's wording when it is published, 'but expect there to be broad agreement given the amount of scrutiny the proposal has already had in recent years'. The National Women's Council (NWC) said the proposal to remove the honest belief in consent as a legal defence in rape cases would be 'a crucial step towards a justice system in Ireland that centres survivors'. Speaking of the potential impact of this reform, NWC's violence against women co-ordinator Ivanna Youtchak said it would help shift the balance toward a justice process 'that recognises consent must be freely given, voluntary, ongoing, and affirms survivors' right to be heard and believed'. [ Shocking domestic violence data adds further urgency to new strategy Opens in new window ] Women's Aid chief executive Sarah Benson said the change was 'long overdue' and 'an important step to help improve victims-survivors' confidence' in the Irish justice system. 'The removal of the present scenario where an 'unreasonable' belief in consent can be grounds for an alleged perpetrator to be found innocent of rape is an important step to help improve victims-survivors' confidence that there can be justice in these deeply traumatic legal processes,' said Ms Benson. 'Women's Aid will monitor the progress of this action in the hope that it will be taken quickly, as it is already long overdue.' Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) also welcomed the proposed legislative change. In a statement shared to social media on Monday, the charity described the reform as 'significant and necessary' and said it reflected a 'victim-centred focus'. The organisation said it had expressed concern in November 2023 when it was revealed that the provision was being removed from draft legislation. 'This reform will ensure that any belief in consent must be objectively reasonable, rather than based on subjective beliefs. It is a crucial step in strengthening protections for survivors and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions,' DRCC chief executive Rachel Morrogh said. [ 'Scale of our sexual violence epidemic' shown by record calls and texts to national rape crisis helpline Opens in new window ] 'The passage of this legislation cannot come soon enough and we remain committed to working with all stakeholders to create a justice system that truly supports and protects survivors of sexual violence.' According to figures from DRCC's annual report, published in May, the national Rape Crisis Helpline received more than 20,000 contacts for the first time last year. This marked a 22 per cent increase on 2023; 37 per cent of the 22,700 contacts made in 2024 related to rape as an adult.

Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Women in Ireland increasingly subjected to online hate and misogyny, groups warn
Women in Ireland are increasingly subjected to online hate and misogyny amid a growing global backlash against women's rights, representative groups have warned. The National Women's Council (NWC), in consultation with more than 200 member groups including trade unions, professional bodies and grassroots organisations, have cited the spread of far-right discourse and anti-migrant sentiment as particularly threatening to women's rights in Ireland and globally. The organisation launched its new strategic plan for 2025-2029, Time to Act for Women's Rights and Equality, on Thursday. It said the use of social media to spread online hate and misogyny had become an issue in need of 'a response at the highest level'. READ MORE It also cited the use of artificial intelligence as posing a risk to 'women's online safety, to job security, and to the environment'. NWC president Orla O'Connor expressed concern about 'a hardening of discourses in relation to migrants and those seeking asylum and refugees', adding that 'there is a shift in relation to how we treat people coming to Ireland seeking international protection and a better future'. She also expressed concern about those experiencing war abroad. 'Women and children are bearing the brunt of war and conflict. In Gaza, we are witnessing a genocide taking place before our eyes.' The NWC noted that both the gender pay gap and the pension gap have remained high in Ireland, at 10 per cent and 35 per cent respectively. It cited the dominance of women in care professions and carrying out unpaid care responsibilities as contributing to these figures. [ Women still underrepresented on councils amid online abuse and lack of support Opens in new window ] Ms O'Connor acknowledged there had been 'important advances' in women's rights in Ireland over recent years, including with the introduction of the free contraception and hormone replacement therapy scheme. However, in other areas, she said 'the pace of change remains painfully slow'. 'Women make up more than half of the population but only represent 25 per cent of our TDs and 28 per cent of local councillors.' The strategic plan aims to 'promote human rights and equality, through mobilising, influencing and building solidarity'. The organisation has called on Government to prioritise decisive actions that will make a difference to women's lives such as the introduction of gender quotas for local election candidates, combating online misogyny and providing accessible housing and accommodation to those in need.