The Guardian reports:
Ireland has voted by a landslide to legalise abortion in a stunning outcome that marks a dramatic defeat for the Catholic church’s one-time domination of the Republic.
The Irish electorate voted by 1,429,981 votes to 723,632 in favour of abolishing a controversial constitutional amendment that gave equal legal status to the lives of a foetus and the woman carrying it. The result was a two-thirds majority: 66.4% yes to 33.6% no.
By voting yes in unexpectedly large numbers to abolish the eighth amendment to the Irish constitution, the country has enabled the government in Dublin to introduce abortion in Ireland’s health service up to 12 weeks into pregnancy.
For all the women who died through back street abortions + were kept as a shameful family secret. For the rape victims who feared the worst, + now have options. For the abused, the neglected + the poor. For women, all women. What a wonderful day in history. #Eire #RepealedThe8th
— cara hunter ? (@california_ch) May 25, 2018
This is my mam. It took 38 years for us to find each other again. The last time she saw me was when she was running after a car as nuns drove away with me.
We voted yes.
We stand together for change.#repealThe8th #repealedThe8th pic.twitter.com/CXHAptgKzc— michellesinhell (@michellesinhell) May 26, 2018
Eyre Square @GWYEastForYes #Together4Yes #repealedThe8th pic.twitter.com/NOQgNfRLYa
— Richael O’Brien (@richaelio) May 26, 2018
Crowds at Dublin castle chant only one thing – yes pic.twitter.com/GJ3pmXuB4o
— Jordan Moates (@jordan_utv) May 26, 2018