Activists protest against Ireland's new abortion services

Pro-choice groups condemn picket of clinic as health service warns of fake websites

Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent
Fri 4 Jan 2019 18.18 GMT

Anti-abortion activists have struck back against Ireland’s introduction of abortion services by picketing a clinic and by launching potentially misleading websites that mimic the state’s support service for unplanned pregnancies.

A group holding placards protested outside a doctor’s office in Galway on Thursday in an effort to deter women from seeking abortion pills just three days after abortion services became legal.

About half a dozen people stood outside the Galvia West medical centre in Galway city with signs bearing slogans including “Say no to abortion in Galway” and “Real doctors don’t terminate their patients.”

Organisers said it was a peaceful demonstration that received positive feedback from the public.

However, pro-choice groups condemned the picket as intimidation and urged the government to establish exclusion zones to prevent protests outside abortion service providers.

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