Marchers hear Halappanavar case ‘could happen again’

About 1,000 people representing a range of pro-choice groups marched through Dublin City this afternoon calling for the extension of abortion rights.

Marchers who gathered at Parnell square in a noisy boisterous display of colour were told motherhood should be “by choice, not by chance”.

To rousing applause, Sinead Redmond of the Abortion Rights Campaign told the marchers that among them were members of the groups Doctors For Choice, Terminations for Medical reasons, and the National Women’s Council of Ireland, among others.

As the march set off, it became clear there were also several thousands of GAA fans in yellows and reds heading for the hurling final in Croke Park. Also in the crowd was Joe Higgins of the Socialist Party who said he was not planning to address the crowd. “I am having a day off,” he said.

To chants of “not the church, not the State, women must decide their fate”, the march made its way down O’Connell Street exchanging good natured calls with another protest proclaiming: “No to Sudan regime”. Another “No” was that proclaimed by the banner: “Ulster Say No - no more stigma, no more shame”.

As the march wound its way around Trinity College and along Nassau Street, the banners proclaimed the presence of students including TCD for Choice, UCD Pro Choice , and NUI Galway. Other groups represented included Queers for Abortion Rights and Youth Voices for Womens’ Rights and ROSA - for Reproductive rights, against Oppression, Sexism and Austerity.

At Merrion Square, Orla O’Connor of the National Women’s Council said the recent abortion legislation was “less than the minimum” required to ensure women’s health and reproductive rights. She told the marchers only a new referendum could repeal the eight amendment to the Constitution and provide for women’s health and rights in relation to fatal foetal abnormalities. “We want a women’s right to choose and we want no woman to go through a pregnancy she doesn’t want”, she said.

Clare Daly TD said the recent legislation had taken 21 years to enact because of influences such as “the Catholic Church and the forces of reaction in this State”. She said the circumstances leading to the death of Savita Halappanavar could happen again if women were left with a right to life and a qualified right to health.