Sir, - If Dana, Justin Barrett and others on the extremes of the "pro-life" side really believe they have secured a victory in the latest abortion referendum, they should think again. They have in fact blown the very last chance for a victory of the forces of conservatism on this issue.
It is ludicrous to think that a future government would put an amendment before the people that would satisfy that small constituency. Any such proposal would result in the much larger constituency of "soft" Yes votes on Wednesday moving firmly into the No camp. Wednesday's vote means that limited legalised abortion will become a reality in Ireland. It really takes a special kind of pro-life mind to have achieved that. - Yours, etc.,
M. FOLEY,
Drogheda,
Co Louth.
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Sir, - Might the low turnout in the referendum may have something to do with the fact that while the Government was busy exhorting both sides to get out and vote and stressing the importance of voter participation in our democracy, it was pursuing a strategy to overturn a referendum decision by these same voters less than a year ago? - Yours, etc.,
JAMES McGRANE,
Athboy Road,
Trim,
Co Meath.
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Sir, - It is reported that rain on polling day strongly influenced the referendum result. God's voice may have been muted during the clamorous debates, but she made her point effectively - if obliquely - on the day. - Yours, etc.,
JOHN DUNNE,
Sandford Road,
Dublin 6.
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Sir, - I will definitely be voting No in the general election. - Yours, etc.,
GERALD LEE,
St Agnes Park,
Dublin 11.