Ógra Shinn Féin will campaign vigorously to Repeal the 8th

SINN FÉIN AND ÓGRA SHINN FÉIN have officially launched the campaign to Repeal the Eighth Amendment from the Irish constitution.

On Saturday the 7th of April Sinn Féin had our Repeal the 8th campaign launch and activist training in the Teachers Club in Baile Átha Cliath. 

On the day we were joined with Brendan Hodgers who gave a tragic account of how his wife Sheila was so badly failed by our health system, when she couldn’t receive cancer treatment because of her pregnancy. Sheila’s story being a story we were all very aware of but hearing what the 8th amendment did to her and her family first hand created an emotional atmosphere. 

We were also joined by Arlette Lyons who had to leave our country to access a termination when her and her husband found out there baby was not going to survive. Arlette told us her heartbreaking story while holding back tears. She told us that her baby Gemma was very much a wanted baby and having to flee her country in shame brought her much more pain. 

Orla O’Connor who is a co-director for together for yes explained to us all how important it is that we get involved in our local repeal groups. 

We then heard from Dr Cliona Murphy who is a Consultant at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital and incoming Chair of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Cliona give a powerful speech full of medical statistics and facts that would make anyone pro-choice. 

All Sinn Féin activists in attendance left the room empowered and ready to fight for the removal of something that should have never been put there in the first place.

Sinn Féin and Ógra Shinn Féin will be campaigning vigorously and effectively to repeal the 8th and trust women and anyone else who needs access to abortion services.

Ellen Norton, Ógra Shinn Féin Women's Officer