Dutch ship offering abortion services arrives in Dublin

The controversial Women On Waves floating abortion clinic arrived in Dublin from the Netherlands last night.

No protesters were present when the Aurora docked at Sir John Rogerson's Quay shortly before 8 p.m. Members of the crew said they were pleased to be in Dublin and that they "hoped to make a difference".

The former trawler, which has been fitted with an operating theatre and equipment to carry out abortions, is on its maiden voyage as a floating abortion clinic. No abortions have yet been carried out on it.

Ms Joke von Kampen, a spokeswoman for Women On Waves International, said that their intention was to help Irish women. "But this is not a structural solution to the Irish problem. A structural solution would be a change in the Irish law", she said.

A small group of people welcomed the Aurora last night. A spokesman for Women On Waves Ireland said that the crew of about 40 was holding a meeting on board ship and no further statement would be made until this morning.

Irish pregnancy advisory clinics say they have been "inundated" with calls from women hoping to access services offered by Women On Waves.

A number of women have cancelled appointments at the Marie Stopes clinic in Dublin, saying they hope to obtain abortions on board the ship.

The floating abortion clinic has generated huge international media interest. Journalists and television crews from the United States, Britain, Belgium, France, Germany and Canada were among those on the quayside last night.

The Aurora is expected to remain in Ireland for 10 days. The organisation plans to visit Cork and a number of other ports during the visit.

At a press briefing yesterday afternoon Ms von Kampen said information about the services on board would not be released because the "safety, security and privacy of clients" was "absolutely paramount". However, she emphasised that the ship was fully equipped to carry out abortions.

Ms von Kampen added: "What we are really here for is to get attention for the situation that Irish women are in."

Ms Mary Muldowney, of Women On Waves Ireland, said that the the aim was to draw attention to the "hypocrisy of the situation where we are exporting 6,500 women to Britain every year, for Britain to solve our problem". She added: "This is about the real pain and distress of Irish women and trying to deal with that."

Ms Muldowney said they were seeking a "mature response from the Irish Government in the long run, that they would bring in legislation to give a safe service in this country".