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| Irish abortion referendum: official results show big lead for yes – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ireland’s children’s minister Katherine Zappone has stressed to Sinéad Baker the need to enact legislation the country’s new abortion legislation as soon as possible: | |
| The minister for health has promised to publish the bill before the summer and it would be our intention to ensure that we bring that forward before the end of this year. Until that happens women still need to travel or to take an abortion pill from online delivery that’s illegal or unsafe until we get the better law in place. | |
| Zappone also thanked the women who had shared their stories of how they were affected by the eighth amendment: | |
| It’s because of their willingness to tell their stories that they were able to change the hearts and the minds of the citizens but also many of the politicians too. | |
| Another result: Offaly 58.05% yes, 41.95% no. | |
| Calls are mounting for the British government to take steps to reform the strict abortion regime in Northern Ireland following the Republic’s historic decision. | |
| Labour MP Stella Creasy: | |
| This weekend 2.5 million Irish women won the basic human right to make choices themselves about their own bodies - those who fought this victory did so because these rights are at the heart of equality. Yet as we celebrate, we cannot rest knowing a million women in Northern Ireland do not have the same choice and that the UN has accused the U.K. government of cruel and inhuman treatment of their own citizens as a result. We cannot let Northern Irish women be left behind. | |
| Cara Sanquest form the London-Irish Abortion Rights Campaign: | |
| The result today shows that the people of Ireland want to provide care and compassion at home. This was a grassroots campaign, with women’s voices at the centre. Women in Northern Ireland, who do not have access to abortion in their own country, are at the forefront of our minds today. Eleven women from the island of Ireland boarded planes this morning to access abortion services abroad. We’re looking forward to a swift passing of the legislation, and that the momentum from this result will carry on with our campaign to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland. | |
| Grainne Teggart, Northern Ireland campaigns manager for Amnesty International: | |
| The referendum result is a momentous win for women’s rights. This marks the beginning of a new Ireland - one that really does trust and value its women. The UK Government can no longer turn a blind eye and deny us equality, they must urgently legislate for reform which must include decriminalisation of abortion. We cannot be left behind in a corner of the UK and on the island of Ireland as second-class citizens. | |
| It’s becoming a procession: | |
| Wexford has voted 68.40% for yes and 31.60% for no. | |
| Limerick County 58.08% yes, 41.92% no | |
| Tipperary 59.15% yes, 40.85% no | |
| Kildare South 70.66% yes, 29.34% no | |
| Clare 64.28% yes, 35.72% no | |
| The president of March for Life, the US anti-abortion rally that backed the SaveThe8th campaign, has reacted with dismay to the projected result. The group’s president, Jeanne Mancini, said: | |
| We are deeply saddened to learn that many Irish people voted against love and life by repealing the 8thamendment. Americans know from experience that there will be many grave and irreversible consequences to this decision, including the loss of precious lives. | |
| A study released this week shows that legalising abortion greatly increases the number of children whose lives are terminated in the womb. Though they are the first, unborn children are not the only victims; abortion harms mothers too. | |
| Life is the empowering decision. We grieve for the great loss this beautiful country will endure and we pray that they find a way to reverse this unfortunate decision. | |
| Another result is in: Laois 61.35% yes, 38.65% no | |
| They’re having a ball down at Dublin Castle, too: | |
| Grand old singalong in Dublin Castle @dangriffinIT pic.twitter.com/XLXmRQ60A0 | |
| Sinéad Baker is with the Together for Yes campaign who have gathered yes campaigners in a Dublin hotel to watch the results come in. | |
| A diverse crowd of hundreds of people have gathered. Local organisers from all parts of the country are here with their teams alongside the politicians and students who have been key to the campaign. | |
| Results coming in are met with huge cheers and some stunned disbelief. Listen to the delight as Carlow-Kilkenny votes 63.5% yes: | |
| And another. With seven constituencies declared, the vote now stands at 68.7% in favour of repeal overall. | And another. With seven constituencies declared, the vote now stands at 68.7% in favour of repeal overall. |
| Waterford 69.43% yes, 30.57% no | Waterford 69.43% yes, 30.57% no |
| Two more results have come in, again in line with last night’s exit polls: | Two more results have come in, again in line with last night’s exit polls: |
| Wicklow 74.26% yes, 25.74% no | Wicklow 74.26% yes, 25.74% no |
| Carlow-Kilkenny, 63.50% yes, 36.50% no | Carlow-Kilkenny, 63.50% yes, 36.50% no |
| Orla O’Connor, co-director of the Together for Yes campaign, celebrates “a monumental day for women in Ireland”, saying the expected referendum vote is “about a rejection of an Ireland that treats women as second-class citizens”. | Orla O’Connor, co-director of the Together for Yes campaign, celebrates “a monumental day for women in Ireland”, saying the expected referendum vote is “about a rejection of an Ireland that treats women as second-class citizens”. |
| Readers have been getting in touch to share their reaction to the result. | Readers have been getting in touch to share their reaction to the result. |
| Chelsea, a student teacher in Dublin, is very happy that the yes vote was so high. “I’m over the moon to know that Ireland has voted so strongly in favour of removing legislation that is potentially damaging to women and families in our country. I think it’s an overwhelming turn out for a referendum and proves the importance of making a change.” | Chelsea, a student teacher in Dublin, is very happy that the yes vote was so high. “I’m over the moon to know that Ireland has voted so strongly in favour of removing legislation that is potentially damaging to women and families in our country. I think it’s an overwhelming turn out for a referendum and proves the importance of making a change.” |
| Philomena Mason, 62, from Galway says “it’s a wonderful day for Ireland”. Mason voted against the amendment being included in the constitution in 1983 and thinks the change has come about about because of the testimony of women during this referendum campaign. | Philomena Mason, 62, from Galway says “it’s a wonderful day for Ireland”. Mason voted against the amendment being included in the constitution in 1983 and thinks the change has come about about because of the testimony of women during this referendum campaign. |
| “A lot of women have told harrowing stories of crisis pregnancies where they had no option but to travel to the UK for terminations and felt strongly that this care should be made available in their own country.” | “A lot of women have told harrowing stories of crisis pregnancies where they had no option but to travel to the UK for terminations and felt strongly that this care should be made available in their own country.” |
| Nick, a junior doctor who lives in Ireland, thinks that the result is a huge win for women, doctors and legislators so that it will now be possible “to provide healthcare, compassion and support at home rather than turning our backs on people in need”. | Nick, a junior doctor who lives in Ireland, thinks that the result is a huge win for women, doctors and legislators so that it will now be possible “to provide healthcare, compassion and support at home rather than turning our backs on people in need”. |
| Rossa Bunworth, 67, a retired public servant from Dublin says he’s “stunned and delighted as a parent and grandparent of women and girls who are trusted at last”. | Rossa Bunworth, 67, a retired public servant from Dublin says he’s “stunned and delighted as a parent and grandparent of women and girls who are trusted at last”. |
| If you’d like to share your reaction, you can do so here. | If you’d like to share your reaction, you can do so here. |
| Sinéad Baker in Dublin has spoken to a proud and happy local: | Sinéad Baker in Dublin has spoken to a proud and happy local: |
| Dubliner Terry O’Connor, 62, shared his joy at today’s #8thRef result: “It’s well overdue. The Catholic Church has ruled for decades. What right have they to say how a woman protects her body? I’m delighted with the result.” pic.twitter.com/mRjhGlvadl | Dubliner Terry O’Connor, 62, shared his joy at today’s #8thRef result: “It’s well overdue. The Catholic Church has ruled for decades. What right have they to say how a woman protects her body? I’m delighted with the result.” pic.twitter.com/mRjhGlvadl |
| And here is an opposing point of view: | And here is an opposing point of view: |
| Let us pray together that satanic evil has not gained a foothold in Ireland, through legalized killing of the most innocent life in the womb, that will now take many years to exorcise. #SaveThe8th | Let us pray together that satanic evil has not gained a foothold in Ireland, through legalized killing of the most innocent life in the womb, that will now take many years to exorcise. #SaveThe8th |
| The crowds are starting to assemble at Dublin Castle, where Ireland’s health minister, Simon Harris, is speaking, RTÉ reports: | The crowds are starting to assemble at Dublin Castle, where Ireland’s health minister, Simon Harris, is speaking, RTÉ reports: |
| “It’s a very emotional day” @SimonHarrisTD speaking to the media at Dublin Castle #8thRef pic.twitter.com/2effLpRpRi | “It’s a very emotional day” @SimonHarrisTD speaking to the media at Dublin Castle #8thRef pic.twitter.com/2effLpRpRi |
| The Liberal Democrat leader, Vince Cable, has told the BBC that “action will now have to be taken” over Northern Ireland, set to be the only part of the UK and Ireland where abortions are outlawed bar exceptional circumstances: | The Liberal Democrat leader, Vince Cable, has told the BBC that “action will now have to be taken” over Northern Ireland, set to be the only part of the UK and Ireland where abortions are outlawed bar exceptional circumstances: |
| I believe in the principle of the right to choose - I think in the rest of the UK we have a sensible balance. The position in Northern Ireland is now highly anomalous and I think, probably, action will now have to be taken. | I believe in the principle of the right to choose - I think in the rest of the UK we have a sensible balance. The position in Northern Ireland is now highly anomalous and I think, probably, action will now have to be taken. |
| Since there is, effectively, direct rule from Westminster, the government has responsibility and it can and should take the opportunity to deal with this issue properly. | Since there is, effectively, direct rule from Westminster, the government has responsibility and it can and should take the opportunity to deal with this issue properly. |
| The official turnout has been given as 62.2%, an increase of 2% over Ireland’s referendum on same-sex marriage: | The official turnout has been given as 62.2%, an increase of 2% over Ireland’s referendum on same-sex marriage: |
| How it’s looking at the moment in Dublin Castle #8thRef pic.twitter.com/evuI4y5FAF | How it’s looking at the moment in Dublin Castle #8thRef pic.twitter.com/evuI4y5FAF |
| Cork North-Central is in: 64.02% for yes, 35.98% for no. | Cork North-Central is in: 64.02% for yes, 35.98% for no. |
| Here’s what the count looks like in Roscommon-Galway, and presumably a good many counting centres up and down the country this afternoon: | Here’s what the count looks like in Roscommon-Galway, and presumably a good many counting centres up and down the country this afternoon: |
| No official result yet from Roscommon-Galway but the bundles of ballots tell the tale. #rsgal #rosgal #8thref #Referendum2018 @rtenews pic.twitter.com/pvManqYXbI | No official result yet from Roscommon-Galway but the bundles of ballots tell the tale. #rsgal #rosgal #8thref #Referendum2018 @rtenews pic.twitter.com/pvManqYXbI |
| We’ve had two more official results showing a clear lead for repeal: | We’ve had two more official results showing a clear lead for repeal: |
| Dublin Central: Yes 76.51%, No 23.49% | Dublin Central: Yes 76.51%, No 23.49% |
| Cork South-Central: Yes 68.84%, No 31.16% | Cork South-Central: Yes 68.84%, No 31.16% |