Purpose and direction defined last weekend’s PLC National Conference
The Pro Life Campaign National Conference 2025 which took place in Dublin last weekend was told that in addition to the great sadness over what’s taking place under Ireland’s abortion law, there are “reasons to be hopeful” as the truth about what’s happening becomes better known and people reflect on it. Before the main conference began, several breakout workshops were held to discuss ideas and strategies for moving things forward.
Addressing hundreds in The Gresham Hotel, Eilís Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign referenced the 10,852 abortions that took place in 2024, along with what she described as the “scandal” that close to €100 million has been spent on abortion provision over the past six years at home and in developing countries using Irish taxpayers’ money, “without a single cent going to supporting positive alternatives.” Ms Mulroy said this “appalling” situation had to be addressed and she paid tribute to pro-life members of the Oireachtas who were working extremely hard to unearth the facts about what’s happening and to demand answers from the government. She said the recent decision by the HSE to provide greater data transparency on what is taking place under the law is a small but important step. She said it only happened because of relentless pressure - pressure that she said “proves that change is possible when we do not give up.”
Keynote speaker at this year’s conference was Isabel Vaughan-Spruce from Birmingham whose story drew worldwide attention in 2022 when she was arrested for silently praying outside an abortion clinic in her local area - a moment that sparked international debate about freedom of expression and conscience. The charges were later dropped, and West Midlands Police apologised, accepting her arrest violated her human rights.
Ms Vaughan-Spruce received a very warm welcome at the conference and stressed the importance of being prepared to stand up for the truth in today’s world regardless of the personal cost it may involve - be it to our freedom or livelihoods. She said given what’s at stake we have to be prepared to be witnesses for the truth and to be a voice for those who cannot defend themselves, most particularly the unborn child.
Tina McManus, an engineer from Dublin, shared her story about the heartbreak yet beauty of carrying and loving her baby son, Jamie, whom she knew would have a limited time on earth and whose brief life left a profound impact on those around him. In her very moving address, Ms McManus: “If Jamie’s story can help even one person choose life, if it can encourage even one mother to keep going and most importantly for today, if it can encourage even one of you to take action then his short life has borne fruit far beyond what we could see at the time.”
Addressing the conference, Independent Senator Sharon Keogan referenced the need for an Unborn Victims of Violence law in Ireland that recognises the humanity and the loss involved when a pregnant woman is attacked and her unborn child dies as a result. At present, Irish law does not treat such a child’s death as the loss of a human life and Senator Keogan said she was committed to seeing such a law put in place. She emphasised that this particular piece of legislation would not impact the abortion but it would ensure that when a violent act against the mother causes the death of an unborn child, justice can be done for both mother and baby.
Sinéad Forrest, a young social media contributor, told the conference: “I stand here not just as a college student, but as someone who has seen first-hand how many of my peers are being failed by a system that withholds information and support when they need it most. She said the message on the recent Pro Life Campaign billboard initiative about ‘Removing Obstacles for Women to Choose Life’ was not just a slogan. She said it’s “a statement of intent about ensuring that no woman ever feels alone, cornered, or coerced into a decision she might later regret.”
Radio presenter and journalist Wendy Grace was the MC for the conference. | 
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