Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LARGE CROWDS TURNED out today in Dublin for the March for Choice, organised by pro-choice groups.
The event was notable as it was the first pro-choice march to take place after the Eighth Amendment was officially removed from the Constitution.
Leaders of the Abortion Rights Campaign told the crowd: “This has never been a quiet revolution – do not get quiet now.”
In May of this year, the Irish people voted to remove the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution, paving the way for the legalisation of abortion. Legislation is set to be enacted to allow abortion up to 12 weeks, and also in specific circumstances up to 24 weeks or viability.
However, Abortion Rights Campaign said it held the event today to show supporters that although the Eighth Amendment has been repealed, it believes there is still a need for campaigning by pro-choice activists.
“We will continue to campaign for all girls, women and people who need abortion. Abortion on demand and without apology,” Abortion Rights Campaign co-convenor Denise O’Toole told the crowd. “Let’s continue to make 2018 the year of an unstoppable wave of people power. Real change must come from below.”
Present at today’s event were Health Minister Simon Harris, Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone, Senator Catherine Noone and Amnesty Ireland’s Colm O’Gorman, who all campaigned for a Yes vote in the referendum.
Social Democrats candidate Evie Nevin told the crowd that currently at least one person with a disability travels from Ireland for an abortion every week. Another speaker was Zanele Sibindi of the Masi group which supports people in Direct Provision.
In a blog post explaining the reasons behind the march, the Abortion Rights Campaign said:
Even though the referendum has finally been won (by a huge majority of 66.4%!) nothing practical has changed in Ireland. 10 people still travel for abortion care every day, while at least 3 more take pills at home that are safe but still illegal under our laws.
We’ve waited a very very long time for change, and now we’re still waiting for the government to pass legislation and introduce real abortion services.
It said this is why the theme of the seventh annual March for Choice is “Free, Safe, Legal”.
We’ve marched behind this slogan for years but now, more than ever, it’s vital we show our support for stigma-free abortion access for anyone who wants or needs one, regardless of their financial or legal status.
The group also said that it is also holding the event to “make a promise that we will continue to fight until abortion is available for all people on the island of Ireland, including our comrades and siblings in Northern Ireland, and those whose circumstances will not fall within the bounds set by the new law”.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Now if Alan Hughes could go too then that would be great! Does nothing for the show.
@Seán Ó hAodha: agreed
@Seán Ó hAodha: Agreed. Sits there laughing at nothing.
@Seán Ó hAodha: u know the “saying that makes me sick”, well i actually dry wreched watchin his old show talkabout.
@Seán Ó hAodha: isnt he a weather presenter?
@Dave Barrett: whether he is a presenter or not is the real question!!!
@Seán Ó hAodha: Alan Hughes… worst then trush
@Seán Ó hAodha: Hughes is horrendous. How hes kept on is beyond me
The best presenter who was on Ireland AM was Aiden Cooney, a great news reader and presenter with a good sense of humour as well.
@Marty from Sligo: seriously???
@Marty from Sligo: I have to disagree
@Marty from Sligo: you must be joking was hopeless read the results wrong on many occasions and came across as winging it
@Marty from Sligo: he was like a fat mushroom sitting there with nothing interesting to say whatsoever
@Marty from Sligo: I’d say he’d be good for a late night sports show with Trevor Welch.
No loss found him to be unwilling to listen and a fixed point of view. Totally anti public sector and his view was the only view an interview would go when a balance would be needed .
Still won’t be watching anyway.
@Mark Mccormack:
Let me guess, you’re a teacher?
@Mark Mccormack: give his job to Simon Delaney.
Enjoy his wit and delivery
Underrated
He was very opinionated and had no time for anyone else’s views. Thank God he’s gone as he thought himself above everyone who didn’t agree with himself.
That will be the end of any half intelligent conversations on the show. Alan Hughes is great for a laugh but as for the rest of them, less said the better. Think I’ll have to switch back to radio
@Dan2078: have to agree, what’s left hasn’t got a full brain cell between them
Oh I missed it. Will they repeat it? Of course they will as that’s all virgin media do
He was a govt mouth piece who rarely gave anytime to guests who did,nt agree with govt policy. Showed his true colours when the water protests were at there height. Like rte never a balanced view on the major issues of the day. Will not be missed.
Good.. a new line up is needed for that chat show really…
Went to school with Mark. Enjoyed ‘Night Train’ on 2FM. Then his mid morning show on TodayFM followed by Ireland AM. Will be a change in the morning routine. Wishing Mark all the best in the future.
Wonder who’s next to get axed off that show!
@Sean Leonard: hopefully Karen . Leave Alan and all the chefs; at least that’ll give us a laugh
@Dan2078: yea it hilarious alright…..Alan hand me over that big sausage …… hahahahahaha did you here him looking for the big sausage hahahahahaha
@Dan2078: Karen has great legs
He was at his best on the radio years ago.
Alan Hughes – The exaggerated laugh of the Guy does me head in
@Angry_Man41:
Going by your name, I’d guess anyone laughing/having fun, isn’t your thing.
Top man n decent bloke…..crappy show but not his fault.
@Brian Murphy: yes professional presenter… Show is droning in to torture level… It’s so repetitive the only that changes is the news!
@Sean Leonard:
“It’s so repetitive”, so you keep watching? Which other morning tv show do you think is better to have on while one is going about one’s business of getting ready for the day ahead?
Did Cooney turn up for his farewell??
@Dan2078: probably too busy with his other 10 jobs – bore
Not a mention of Sinead who he anchored with for years!! Bad former me thinks. All the best Mark.
@Gina Clifford: he did mention her in his leaving speech at the end of the show.
I never looked at an episode…. I’ll live longer for it….
I’ll miss his dainty socks and his crossed leg posture
Mark was the brains of the show. Even then, the only part I could watch was the weather forecast and newspaper front page review. And only then with the sound muted.
Anton Savage to replace Cagney
@Breda Claffey: Simon Delaney
Great news!!! Alan next please. His attitude is horrible.
Ciara genuinely care about guests and gives honest opinion. Go lady!!
Who?
@Patrick Daly: Doctor Who
Dose
You will be miss Mark
Enjoyed him the odd time I watched. I think VM will transition this program to have a better vibe, now it still searches for audience. A bit of hard news reporting would suit me, I don’t “watch” radio.
@John Flood:
Do people really want “hard news” in the morning? I don’t think they do. “Light news” and a bit of a laugh is a much nicer way to start the day.
Weak for himself !GoodLuck Good Riddance
I
The worst show I’ve ever briefly tipped in and , mostly, out of! Why can’t it be called a very average cookery show for narcissistic, sycophants and be done with it!
have your say