Ruadhán Jones
Photo: Stuff.com A new report by University College Cork exposes the “barbarity” of late-term abortions and should be a “wake up call”, pro-life campaigners say.
The report, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, examines the experiences of Irish practitioners of abortion in the case of life-limiting conditions, or ‘fatal foetal abnormalities’.
The report shows that babies that survive abortions are left to die, while late-term abortions are carried out by injecting potassium into the babies heart.
Doctors interviewed reported feeling “internal conflict” about the experience and how ending the lives of unborn babies can be “brutal”, “awful” and “emotionally difficult”.
“The study reveals just how horrific late term abortion is by using the doctor’s words,” said Niamh uí Bhriain of the Life Institute. “What we’re talking about here is feticide, late term abortions where the baby gets a lethal injection into the heart of potassium chloride.”
Ms uí Bhriain said the report also shows that when babies survive late term abortions, doctors are left “‘begging people to help them’ provide palliative care”.
“Unfortunately, everything we warned about during the referendum has happened,” she continued. “We’re in a position now where this is what is happening in Ireland.”
Eilís Mulroy of the Pro-life Campaign said the report shows “the barbarity of what’s happening in a so-called civilised society”.
“Our hope will be that it will wake people up to what’s happening in their name,” Ms Mulroy said. “Because this is all happening as a result of repealing the amendment.”
Ms Mulroy criticised the lack of coverage from the media, saying, “if it had been any other aspect of life we’d have heard a lot more about it”.
The report should “wake people up to the reality of what’s happening here in Ireland, the injustice perpetrated against unborn babies and against mothers,” she added.