BELFAST 19 July 2013: The young man at the centre of the
abortion case in the Dublin High Court, 16 July, has said he is extremely
grateful to the pro-life groups which helped him prevent his girlfriend from
being forced to travel to England for an abortion. The Society for the
Protection of Unborn Children and Women's Net crisis pregnancy agency had
provided him with advice and support when he approached them earlier in the
week.
On Friday 12 July the young man's girlfriend was taken from
their home in Northern Ireland by her parents and brought to Dublin. Shortly
afterwards he discovered that an abortion had been arranged to take place
within a matter of days despite the fact that she wanted her baby.
Already 20 weeks pregnant, she had given-up smoking, had
picked out baby clothes and was receiving appropriate anti-natal care. Earlier
in pregnancy she had expressed a desire to have her baby even if the child was
disabled. Having taken her to Dublin, however, her parents had prevented the
child's father from contacting her. Concerned for the safety of his girlfriend
and their baby the young man was desperate to find help. After discussing the
situation with SPUC and Women's Net it became clear that a legal intervention
to prevent her from being taken out of Ireland was the only realistic option.
He was then put in touch with a legal team in Dublin who was able to act on his
behalf.
The result of this action was to remove the pressure being
applied to the young woman. Having assured the Court that she would not be
prevented from having her baby, the psychiatric assessment called for by the
Court to establish her wishes was no longer required and the application was
withdrawn.
Liam Gibson SPUC's development officer in Northern Ireland
said "This case highlights
the very serious issue of women being coerced into having abortions. Despite
the slogans, women frequently undergo abortions because they feel they have no
choice. No woman should be compelled by parents, a husband, boyfriend or even
financial pressures to have an abortion. And no one can give proper consent
without being informed of the serious and potentially lifelong consequences of
abortion. These are issues which the Irish government has completely ignored in
its rush to legalise abortion in Ireland.
"In this case the fact that the young woman would have
had to travel to Britain for an abortion provided vital time in which a forced
abortion could be prevented. Other women have not been so lucky," said Mr
Gibson.
