Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

shutterstock

Northern Ireland's justice minister calls for consultation on changing abortion laws

David Ford said he wants a public consultation into changing abortion laws to allow women carrying babies with fatal foetal abnormalities to have a termination.

THE NORTHERN IRELAND Justice Minister David Ford is calling for consultation process to begin on whether the abortion laws there should be changed.

Speaking on RTE News at One, he said that he does not think that Northern Ireland can continue to the export the problem to England, stating that he believes women who are carrying babies with fatal foetal abnormalities should be allowed a termination.

Consultation

Other grounds, such as abortion in rape or incest cases, are also expected to be covered as part of the consultation, which he said he hoped would be completed by Easter.

Ford added that he thought there were some issues that people would rather not address or think about in Northern Ireland, but he said it was time that this issue was looked at.

The call comes after two women told their stories on BBC Radio Ulster. Both women discovered their babies had a severe brain abnormality that would mean they would not survive outside the womb.

Both women had to travel to the England for terminations.

He added that everyone was welcome to make a submission during the consultation, stating that he understood a lot of pro-life groups and religious institutions would have an opposing view.

He said that the matter would not be put to a referendum like in the Republic of Ireland, adding that the elected members who have a mandate from their voters would be making the decision about changing the law.

Read: UN anti-torture body questions Ireland’s record on abortion and Magdalenes>

Read: “Amanda would have been forced to carry to term, fearing every minute”>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
62 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute G.W.
    Favourite G.W.
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:14 PM

    Monster ones on Burrow Beach, Sutton. One was nearly a metre wide! STAY AWAY AT ALL COSTS…………..(hopefully the traffic won’t be so bad now heading home)

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tweety McTweeter
    Favourite Tweety McTweeter
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 6:16 PM

    DO NOT MAKE ANY UNNECESSARY JOURNEYS!!

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Val Rossi
    Favourite Val Rossi
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 6:34 PM

    Bloody foreigner jellyfish coming over here stinging our women.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute neuromancer
    Favourite neuromancer
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 6:00 PM

    Kill it. Kill it with fire.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Mc
    Favourite Paul Mc
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 6:20 PM

    Don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Helga Pataki
    Favourite Helga Pataki
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:29 PM

    These guys coming here to ride our generous welfare system ?

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tom
    Favourite tom
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:39 PM

    will jellyfish live long enough to make it to head of queue

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fergal O'Hagan
    Favourite Fergal O'Hagan
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:04 PM

    Lots of them on bettystown beach, counted at least 10 last night on the sand

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Elma Phudd
    Favourite Elma Phudd
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:44 PM

    There’s gotta be a gag about drawing a lion in the sand, but it’s just not working for me.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ricky McCabe
    Favourite Ricky McCabe
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 6:23 PM

    Huge amount of them on the beach between Balbriggan and Gormanstown….have a craving all day for Trifle , no idea why

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian boru
    Favourite brian boru
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:27 PM

    Come on Darragh these Bad boys turn up every year and give the equivalent of a nettle sting. They are also one of the most beautiful creatures we have around our coastline and are incredibly beautiful under water. I know you know this why all the drama this year?

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Louis Jacob
    Favourite Louis Jacob
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:35 PM

    I saw that lady on Sherkin Island last week and she was in a terrible state… She was very lucky to make it. I’ve lived down here all my life, nearly 40 years, and I have never seen anything like it.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Louis Jacob
    Favourite Louis Jacob
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:36 PM

    And btw I’ve also seen people stung by nettle stings…

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mulligan
    Favourite John Mulligan
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:26 PM

    A few on Skerries beach right now

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Poole Hyde
    Favourite Poole Hyde
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:50 PM

    Used to spend summers there with my aunt in the 80′s and depending on the conditions the beach would be covered with thousands of the jellyfish. Not sure if they were these guys though. The gulls usually made short work of them.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Sheridan
    Favourite Tom Sheridan
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:30 PM

    “The increase coincides with a rise in temperatures this week….Our waters are much too warm for the larger versions. ” !!!! Might this imply that when the weather and waters cool we will get the larger ones?

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Kearns
    Favourite Colette Kearns
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 5:35 PM

    So Joey & Monica shouldn’t have bothered going through all that embarrassment! !

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charles Coughlan
    Favourite Charles Coughlan
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 6:27 PM

    They have been all over South West Ireland for the past two months, nobody notices :-)

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bríd Uí Mhaoluala
    Favourite Bríd Uí Mhaoluala
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 11:32 PM

    None in West Kerry 3 weeks ago

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Aug 30th 2016, 1:01 AM

    I heard there was many of them in Tralee last week.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Winston Smith
    Favourite Winston Smith
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 8:20 PM

    I fear someone at the Joural is suffering from a sever case of Cnidophobia because this is at least the third if not more articles on the subject of Jellyfish epidemics!…I only hope you find a cure fast but in the meatime this may help.
    http://common-phobias.com/Cnido/phobia.htm

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Amy Smith
    Favourite Amy Smith
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 7:56 PM

    Jellyfish stings are so painful!

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trisec Training
    Favourite Trisec Training
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 6:51 PM

    Was watching jellies swimming last Sunday. Lovely creatures.
    They move slowly, so can be easily observed. Watch out for little fish living within the jellies.
    Hope to see them again on Thursday

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Science of beer
    Favourite Science of beer
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 7:35 PM

    What a load of toss. I spent 7 hours surfing yesterday on the SE coast and the water was full of jellies. Not one sting. This article is crap and just scaremongering.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian magee
    Favourite brian magee
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 10:02 PM

    I Persume that you were in a wetsuit. Was the ride on its way in or out ?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Aug 30th 2016, 1:06 AM

    Please clarify – The RIDE or the TIDE ?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Micheal OLainn
    Favourite Micheal OLainn
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 6:59 PM

    I just avoid the jellyfish and the jellyfish don’t attack me.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Henry Howard
    Favourite Henry Howard
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 10:41 PM

    Comparing the sting to a nettle sting is ludicrous. I was stung by one in Howth a few years ago and it was the worst experience ever. Multiple spasms and no sleep for over 24 hours. All the piss/vinegar in Dublin wouldn’t have helped!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Aug 30th 2016, 1:04 AM

    @henry howard – And what were the effects of the jellyfish sting ?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Delaney
    Favourite James Delaney
    Report
    Aug 30th 2016, 12:59 AM

    That Red jellyfish is the Labour party jellyfish – If you get stung by one, U’ll be Howlin for at least 5 yrs after. They make ya moan & do worse damage than ya’d ever think.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Abinger Gregorious Hammer
    Favourite Abinger Gregorious Hammer
    Report
    Aug 30th 2016, 8:46 AM

    There’s a famous seafood restaurant in Bangkok that advertises,’ If it swims we serve it’. I was less than impressed as I ordered steamed jellyfish only to be politely informed that they didn’t cook jellyfish. I pointed out that their advertising campaign was false.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Soft Wind Roses
    Favourite Soft Wind Roses
    Report
    Aug 29th 2016, 7:38 PM

    Had to get out of the sea in Hole in the Wall in Sutton yesterday after warning from lifeguard :(
    About 40 on the beach that day …

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds