Some 98.2 per cent of abortions that took place happened where there was no threat to the health or the life of mother or child. The report revealed that the majority of abortions came under the ‘early pregnancy’ category (6,542), while 100 were carried out because of a ‘condition likely to lead to the death of a foetus’. A further 21 abortions were carried out because of ‘risk of life or health (of the mother)’ while 3 were performed because of ‘risk to life or health in an emergency’.

“The direct and intentional taking of the life of any innocent human being is always gravely wrong – we must avoid becoming desensitised to the value of every human life.”

Today, Sunday 23 April, the Citizens’ Assembly will be asked to provide guidance to the Oireachtas on the circumstances in which, if any, they believe abortion should be lawful.