Ireland abortion referendum: a mighty blow against the Catholic Church
Ben Curry
On Friday 25 May, Ireland went to the polls to decide whether to repeal the 8th amendment of the constitution, which denied women the right to abortion as long as the unborn fetus had a heartbeat. Under these laws, which are part of the legacy of the Catholic Church's domination of Ireland, abortion was illegal, even under the horrific circumstances of rape, incest or fetal abnormalities. The repeal of the 8th amendment is an epoch-making slap in the face against the Catholic Church and the establishment in the Republic.
Ireland: 8th amendment repealed!
There were celebrations in the streets of Dublin as the conservative establishment in Ireland was dealt another heavy blow. The landslide vote to repeal the 8th amendment, which banned abortion in Ireland, follows the unexpected 'yes' result in the gay marriage referendum three years ago.
Repeal the 8th! – Irish abortion referendum rattles the establishment
Kelly Joyce
This week, on Friday 25 May, voters in the Republic of Ireland will go to polls to decide whether to repeal the Eighth Amendment, which prohibits women from obtaining an abortion. A Yes vote would pave the way for the government to legalise abortions, and would be a severe blow to the authority of the Catholic Church.
North of Ireland: hard choices over a hard border
It has been nearly two years since the British public lobbed a grenade into the Tories' lap by voting to leave the European Union. Since this particularly hot potato was chucked her way, May has made an art out of kicking the can down the road. But for how much longer? Recent events suggest her luck may just be running out.
Ireland on the tracks of a Brexit "train-crash"
As Brexit negotiations grind to a halt, big business is entering panic mode. A no deal, "train-crash" Brexit - the one scenario that capitalism wants to avoid at all costs - looms large. And caught on the tracks is Ireland, the only country that shares a land border with the UK.
Jobstown Not Guilty: The Irish Establishment in the dock
Shortly after midday on 29th June, an eleven person jury delivered 6 unanimous verdicts of "not guilty" to spontaneous cheers in the courtroom at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The verdict brings to its conclusion a trial by means of which the Irish ruling class sought to bring an end to the fundamental democratic right to peaceful protest.
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