Ireland Ireland Spurred by a report of a botched illegal abortion in Dublin two years ago, groups are pressuring the government to tighten its already strict rules against abortion. With national elections expected in June of this year, a campaign for a new referendum on abortion is bringing back this issue to Irish legislators. Pro-life groups, backed by the church, are calling for a complete ban on all abortions.
Abortion is now illegal in Ireland in all cases except to save the life of the mother.
In 1992, a referendum allowed Irish women to travel abroad for an abortion. The woman, who admitted the abortion was voluntary, later went to the police after developing medical complications.