Senator Keogan calls for legal safeguards for unborn victims of violence
Speaking in the Seanad on Tuesday, Senator Sharon Keogan raised the issue of violence against pregnant women. Her remarks were particularly relevant in light of the horrific murder of Sarah Montgomery, the 27-year-old mother of two who was murdered in Donaghadee last Friday, along with her unborn baby (34 weeks gestation).
Senator Keogan outlined how there are two victims in this case, Ms Montgomery and her unborn baby. She acknowledged how the progressing Pregnancy Loss (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 has accounted for the profound loss experienced by families whose babies die before the 24-week threshold for stillborn registration, and outlined that there is a gap in Irish law when it comes to recognising unborn victims of violence.
“We must now ask, where is the legal protection for the unborn victims of violence? When a pregnant woman is attacked and her unborn child dies as a result, our laws do not treat that as a loss of a human life. This is a moral and legal failing. I intend to support any legislation to address this gap because justice must be done, not just for the women who suffer but for the unborn children who die unseen and unaccounted for”, Senator Keogan said.
Legal protection is afforded to unborn victims of violence in several jurisdictions. Today, 37 states have enacted foetal homicide laws, and 29 of these states protect the unborn child beginning at conception.
👉 You can read Senator Keogan's contribution here. | 
