Colm Fitzpatrick
The pro-choice activist who draped a jumper with a Repeal slogan over the altar of a Dublin church, said he did it to inspire “burnt-out” fellow campaigners.
Jim Healey, a pro-choice lobbyist, confirmed he took the photo of the jumper on the altar of the grotto outside Mary Immaculate Church in Inichore, Dublin.
“I did it of my own accord,” he said, “and most of the campaigners I know seemed to like it.”
He added that he took the picture almost four months ago, describing it as “amusing” that it was only being discovered now.
His actions drew criticism from both sides of the abortion debate last week, with Fr Gerry O’Connor, a member of the Association of Catholic Priests’ leadership team, telling The Irish Catholic the stunt was aimed at provoking a “bigger gulf” between people who are trying to find the common good.
Meanwhile, over the weekend an iconic mother and child statue in Finglas was emblazoned with the word ‘REPEAL’ by a member of the pro-choice campaign.