On Wednesday, an inquest in Blackpool into the death of a 31-year-old woman found that she died from a sepsis infection after undergoing an abortion.
Sarah Dunn, died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on 11th April 2020 almost four weeks after having the abortion.
After feeling unwell in the days following the procedure, the mother of five approached her GP several times over the course of two weeks. On 10th April, she was taken by ambulance to Victoria Hospital’s A&E department and died the following day from the sepsis infection.
Her death is far from the first case of its kind in England where a woman lost her life due to an infection directly related to the abortion procedure. The lack of media interest in her case and similar cases is unconscionable, in contrast to say the round the clock media coverage of the Savita Halappanavar case that was used to foist abortion on Ireland. Savita died as a result of mismanaged sepsis during her care and not as a result of being denied an abortion as the media falsely and repeatedly claimed.
While ITV News and some other media outlets briefly covered the verdict of this week’s inquest into Sarah Dunn’s death, there was no mention or analysis in any of the reports pointing out the health risks for women associated with legalised abortion.
We must take every opportunity presented to us to educate and inform the public about the supremely biased way the media covers abortion. That’s the only way positive change will happen, leading to the restoration of some semblance of balance in the debate.
A Sinn Féin backed bill to impose censorship zones close to abortion facilities passed second stage in the Seanad on Wednesday evening. It moves to committee stage next week where it will receive further consideration.
The bill which was introduced by Sinn Féin senator Paul Garvan would severely restrict the constitutional rights of pro-life individuals, if passed into law by both houses of the Oireachtas.
The bill penalises those wishing to exercise their constitutional right to peacefully protest in public. It would exclude pro-life supporters from assembling in vast areas of cities and towns across the country. In the Sinn Féin sponsored bill, so-called “safe access zones” cover 100 metres around hospitals, GP clinics, and any other premises which fall under the scope of this sweeping bill. The effect of this draconian proposal would be to ban protest marches passing the GPO in Dublin or any other thoroughfare that came within a 100 metres of an abortion facility.
The proposal is a clear attempt to single out pro-life dissent and silence it. In excellent contributions to the Seanad debate on Wednesday evening, senators Rónán Mullen and Sharon Keogan roundly denounced the Sinn Féin led attack on civil liberties and freedom of speech. To view clips of the proceedings, clickhere.
The data disclosed following a recent Parliamentary Question shows there were a total of 8,057 initial consultations for access to abortion in 2020. However, of these initial consultations, 6,577 women went through with having an abortion that year. Thus, a total of 1,480 women opted to continue with their pregnancy.
This data shows the sizeable proportion of women who change their mind between the first consultation when discussing abortion with their GP and actually going through with the abortion. It shows that the three-day waiting period before an abortion can take place is saving lives and should be retained.
Calls from pro-abortion activists to have the three-day waiting period suspended must continue to be strongly resisted. While no one can claim that all 1,480 women who opted to continue with their pregnancy did so because of the three-day waiting period, it is reasonable to posit that a significant number of these babies lives were saved as a result of their mothers having some extra time to think through whether to proceed with the abortion or not.
The Government has a duty to reflect on what the data is showing and retain the three-day waiting period which has ensured that babies that otherwise would be dead are alive and thriving today.
The UN four-yearly review of Ireland’s human rights record took place earlier this week. The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Ireland included representations from several countries urging Ireland to introduce an even more extreme abortion law. The Pro Life Campaign made a detailed submission to the UPR defending the right to life and urging the UN to, among other things, defend the rights of healthcare workers not to be compelled by law to facilitate in any way in the provision of abortion.
The three year review of Ireland’s abortion legislation was also the focus of scrutiny under the UPR. Austria called on Ireland to ensure the three year review removed “barriers impacting marginalized groups” from accessing abortion, whilst Denmark similarly urged that the review results in expanded access to abortion “both in law and in practice”.
Iceland and Switzerland called on Ireland to further “expand access” to abortion and guarantee the “availability of risk-free abortion services”.
None of the countries pushing for wider access to abortion in Ireland commented on the massive increase in the number of abortions taking place in Ireland since repeal happened, or the fact that babies have survived the abortion procedure and have been left to die unaided and unaccompanied as they breathed their last breath. Instead the calls of these countries to Ireland were devoid of mercy and basic human compassion towards the most defenceless members of society, namely unborn babies.
You can read the Pro Life Campaign’s robust defence of the right to life in its submission to the UPR here
Community Connect has an exciting new job opportunity at their Dublin hub!
They are seeking an organised, pro-active person to join our team and co-ordinate the activities of their Dublin operation.
You would:
· Work 20 hours per week
· Have your own transport
· Be available to work from their Tallaght hub 2 days per week
· Have good communication skills
· Have basic email and spreadsheet skills
· Be pro-active in co-ordinating and mobilising our volunteer activities in Dublin
· Have good leadership skills and be able to motivate a team
If you want to find out more, drop Elaine an email at [email protected]
The Community Connect team urgently need more volunteers at their hub in Tallaght, so they can get help to the mothers and babies who need it most.
Could you join their very friendly bunch of volunteers at the hub on Wednesday mornings?
They are in urgent need of help with:
Sorting and packing baby clothes, nappies and other essential items for families in need
Assisting in lifting and moving heavier items such as cots and buggies, checking them to ensure they are in working order and assigning them to be delivered to families in need
The Tallaght team also run ‘tidy-up’ sorting days from time to time at the hub. The next one will be on Saturday 13th November from 9am – 3pm, and the team would welcome anyone who can help to sort, organise and move items to tidy up the hub, Marie Kondo style!
There might even be some hot drinks and treats on offer....
Or could you help to collect donated items in your own area, and deliver them to Tallaght?
If you can help with this hugely important work, please contact Jo at [email protected] and she will be delighted to hear from you!
Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?
If you would like, APPLY HERE to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.
Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.
Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.
Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.
If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.
Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]
