Repeal the 8th - have we talked about Ireland's 'abortion war?'

[DorothyGarrod]

Nine women A DAY travel to the UK a day to access an abortion. I am vehemently pro-choice and I'm really hoping the law is changed as a result of the referendum in Ireland later this month. Even women who have been raped are not allowed abortions in Ireland!

I haven't seen much discussion of this on here, but perhaps I missed it when I was writing to my MP about changes to the GRC but I found this Standard Issue podcast which explained the issue to me and it is well worth a listen:

Part One: www.acast.com/standardissuespodcast/simep109doc1-part1-repealingtheeighth?autoplay

Part Two: www.acast.com/standardissuespodcast/simep110doc1part2-repealingthe8th

I'm scared to feel hopeful about the outcome of a referendum though...

I voted yes this morning.

Tá for the Mná na hÉireann

To-day's the day girls, just voted yes. Met a neighbour and her daughter off to vote for the first time ever - 2 more yeses.

But I've been campaigning on this and there is a lot of bitterness and anger amongst No voters - so I am still not getting excited until every vote is counted.
I really hope we are celebrating tomorrow night - even though we have been warned not to seem too happy, I don't care, I have lived under this the whole of my reproductive life, so I will be happy and celebrate if I want to!!!!

Diff16 I have only recently heard Ann Lovett's story. A terrible & dreadful one in the proper meaning of those words, in these days of words meaning whatever any speaker wishes them to mean. Her baby died too, I believe. So two lives lost because of the uncaring laws of the state. But sadly not shocking to those who see how little women are valued.

#hometovote on Twitter with all the stories and pictures and cheering welcome crowds in the airports is so good to see.

Not Irish, but standing with my sisters on this one. Hope it’s a Yes today.

Good luck women of Ireland!

Thanks @AngieMumsnet
I haven't seen it since.

I wish it was 24 hours in the future and we knew what the outcome was. So tense.
Was shaking going into the polling station this morning.

@ancientlights, Ann Lovett died at a time when it was illegal to even buy condoms in Irish chemists. She was a neglected and most probably abused child who was badly let down by her family and community, and by the wider social climate of Ireland. It's a bit crass the way people are blaming her death simply on the Eighth amendment- apart from anything, abortion was already illegal before it passed. And no-one knows what her views on abortion were. I'm a staunch Yes voter and old enough to remember Ann's death, and it was so much more complex than that.

Ann Lovett’s sister Patrica killed herself only 3 months after her sister’s funeral, tragic story.

#hometovote is such a moving story line, or as someone so elegantly put it a ferry tale of a different kind.

Travelling home to vote Yes, so you don't have to travel.

So poignant.

Fingers crossed for you. When will the result be known?

Voting closes at 10pm tonight. A couple of hours to go.

I'm not sure when the count starts.

according to this link the vote starts tomorrow morning.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-44241521

The counting of votes will begin on Saturday morning, with a result expected early on Saturday evening.

Count will start at 9am tomorrow. Exit polls will be available tonight. Margin of error +-1.5%.

a ferry tale of a different kind.

Travelling home to vote Yes, so you don't have to travel.

Oh god, I've a lump in my throat again. 😭

Didn't realise the exit poll would be so late. I can't wait another 90 minutes!

When will the exit poll come do you think?

I think it will be on the Irish times website before 11.30 but I'm not sure.

In now- yes landslide!

Really?
ITV now

Too close to call

Oh my goodness. The Irish times poll is calling it 68% for a Yes vote!!!!!!

www.irishtimes.com

Actually welling up. I trusted my country but I never hoped it would be this high

www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/irish-times-exit-poll-projects-ireland-has-voted-by-landslide-to-repeal-eighth-amendment-1.3508861?mode=amp

Why is itv not referring to exit poll?

Reports that turnout is around 70% in urban areas. I always feel heartened by a decent turnout.