The Irish Catholic understands that a number of Limerick City and County councillors opposed tabling a motion calling on the Minister for Health to create legislation for “safe access zones” around abortion services
After a July 5 vote passed the motion calling on councillors to write to Minister Stephen Donnelly on the issue, councillors speaking to this paper called the vote “divisive”.
Gatherings
The councillors added that the council has no power to act on the vigils and prayer gatherings, as the protestors have a constitutional right to protest.
Though reports of ongoing anti-abortion protests outside University Maternity Hospital, Limerick (UMHL) and other healthcare settings were cited as inspiring the motion, a spokesperson for University of Limerick Hospital Group said that UMHL “has not received any complaints from our service users or staff about protests that may be taking place outside our hospital”, The Irish Examiner reported.
“There is no issue with regard to safety of access, and we would urge anyone who is aware of such issues or difficulties, to contact hospital management without delay,” they added.
The motion came before the council’s Corporate Policy Group and didn’t make the agenda for the June meeting, but it made the agenda for July.
