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Date: 30 June 2020

1 in 10 Irish babies aborted in 2019 reflects "Ireland's catastrophic failure to protect human rights."

Northern Ireland's leading pro-life organisation Precious Life have responded to the Republic of Ireland's official abortion figures released today. The figures, which show that 1 in 10 Irish babies were aborted in 2019, reflects "Ireland's catastrophic failure to protect human rights," the organisation said.

A total of 6,666 abortions were carried out in Ireland in 2019. It is the first full year figures have been available, following a majority of 66% voting to repeal the Ireland’s Eighth Amendment in the 2018 referendum. 

The figures mean that 1 in 10 Irish babies now has their life brutally ended before birth and reveals an average of 18 abortions taking place in the Republic of Ireland on a daily basis. Ireland's abortion toll equates to more than 222 classes full of primary school children.

Founder and Director of Precious Life, Bernadette Smyth commented:

“It is an unprecedented tragedy for Ireland that 6,666 precious babies were killed in abortions in 2019. We must recognise that each and every one of these abortions represents a catastrophic failure to protect human rights and the lives of Ireland’s tiniest, weakest citizens. Ireland has shamefully failed in its human rights duty to protect and uphold the right to life of the most vulnerable and voiceless members of the human family.

Today’s figures are absolutely appalling, and they need to serve as a real wake-up call for the people of Ireland. In the run up to the 2018 abortion referendum, the Irish people were fed the lie that repealing the Eighth Amendment would not lead to an increase in abortions.

From these horrific figures, we can see very clearly that the Irish people were lied to repeatedly and gravely misled. Abortions have increased dramatically in one year alone, and this abortion regime has left a devastating trail of death and destruction. Ireland has also failed the thousands of women and families who will now undoubtedly have to deal with the pain of post-abortion regret.

The fight for human rights continues North and South of Ireland. Precious Life will continue to work to offer women the support they deserve, and to save lives of the thousands of babies who are in danger throughout Ireland. We would encourage our supporters to take part in this weekend’s crucial All Ireland Rally for Life, through joining in Precious Life’s Life Chains throughout the North of Ireland, and streaming the online Rally events and speeches taking place from 1-5 July.”

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