The Government's proposal in the abortion referendum will "make criminals out of women" by imposing the threat of jail sentences, according to the Alliance for a No Vote.
Women members of the alliance handcuffed themselves to the railings of the Four Courts yesterday, protesting that the Government's Bill lays down a prison sentence of up to 12 years for women who aid or procure an abortion in Ireland. One of the protesters, Ms Fiona Clarke, carried a placard saying: "I will face 12 years in jail if I try to perform an abortion on myself."
Gardaí watching from the Four Courts did not intervene. The campaigners left after 20 minutes.
According to an ANV spokeswoman, Ms Ivana Bacik, the Government's proposal would make abortion the only constitutional crime apart from treason.
The ANV accused the Taoiseach of "cynicism" for giving a television interview to BBC's Newsnight when he had refused to engage in public debate with the leader of the Opposition. "Not only are the Government prepared to hypocritically export Ireland's abortion predicament to Britain, but Bertie Ahern is cynically using a soft interview on a British programme to present his indefensible arguments," said Ms Bacik.
Meanwhile, the Labour leader, Mr Ruairí Quinn, called on the Taoiseach to clarify remarks made in the interview. Mr Ahern told the BBC that people opposed to the amendment "would only bring in abortion in very, very extreme and very limited and very tight and very regulated circumstances".
Mr Quinn responded: "I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach now accepts that this referendum has nothing to do with introducing a liberal abortion regime in Ireland. If he is willing to clarify this matter for the BBC, he should also clarify it for voters in advance of the poll on Wednesday."
In the run-up to the referendum the Irish Times website, ireland.com will have comprehensive coverage of unfolding events, in addition to allowing readers to express their views on the proposals. On March 7th, there will be live coverage of the count as well as breaking news and reaction to the result.