Over a hundred Cavan women avail of abortions in 2022

Cavan has seen its highest number of women terminate their pregnancies in any given year since the eighth amendment was repealed in 2018.

A total of 116 women with addresses in County Cavan received an abortion in 2022, compared to 70 in 2021, a rise of 67%, according to the latest figures published by the Department of Health.

A total of 77 terminations occurred in 2019 and 107 in 2020 where the patients concerned gave a County Cavan address.

Termination of Pregnancy services are provided, free of charge, by the HSE, through GPs or family planning services and in maternity units and hospitals across the country.

There are three GPs in County Cavan signed up to provide termination of pregnancy services - consultation and medical abortion or giving what’s known as the abortion pill.

In neighbouring Monaghan, there are two providers of termination of pregnancy services. The figures for 2022 there were 57 terminations in 2022; 36 in 2019; 54 in 2020; and 46 in 2021.

In 2022 a total of 9,042 abortions were performed nationwide; 8,042 were described as occurring in early pregnancy, 88 were reportedly in a condition likely to lead to the death of a foetus, four were a risk to life or health in an emergency and 22 were a risk to life or health.

The national number was almost double the level of abortions in 2021 when 4,577 were recorded. Meanwhile, a further 860 women received termination of pregnancy services abroad.

Currently women can only access abortion outside 12 weeks gestation if two medical practitioners form a reasonable opinion that there is a risk to the mother’s life or there are problems with the development of the foetus.

Speaking on the Pat Kenny Show, campaigner Ailbhe Smyth said that access to services for women, particularly in rural counties, is disappointing.

“The service provision is lagging really, I can only say woefully behind where it should be,” she said.

“Women can’t get abortions – very often when they’re perfectly entitled to legally have it.”

The campaigner outlined how one-in-10 General Practitioners in Ireland offer medical abortion services. She further highlighted that over 50% of counties have fewer than 10 doctors offering the service at all.

“In nine or 10 counties, there are fewer than five,” Ms Smyth said.

“This means that women may have to travel for four to six hours, and then may encounter a GP who says, ‘Oh, no, I don’t offer that service’.

“After your nine weeks on request, a GP needs to refer you to a hospital – as it stands at the moment, only 12 of the 19 maternity hospitals and units provide an abortion service.”

Surgical abortions

Cavan General Hospital is among those not currently providing surgical abortions.

However the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that a programme is being put in place to ensure all 19 maternity hospitals, including Cavan, provide such services by early 2024.

Efforts, meanwhile, to require all GPs to offer abortion services have been met with relief by pro-choice activists and disappointment by pro-life campaigners.

Speaking to The Anglo-Celt regarding the issue, Liam de Paor, a pro-life activist said: “I think it’s terrible. You need protection if you have conscientious objections.

“For example in the case of Cavan Choose Life, we have sourced a barrister who will give free legal advice to any hospital workers who are being pressured by management, who will explain to that person that there’s no way management can force people to participate in abortion in any shape or form. You’re not obliged to do it.”

Mr de Paor outlines how: “There is a €3m per annum cost to HSE for abortion services but no financial support from Government for parents with crisis pregnancies.

“There’s money there for people who want to kill a baby but there’s no extra money to be got for a pregnant woman who’s only reason [to get an abortion] might be that she can’t afford a baby. The government is awash with cash so I can’t see why.”

When asked what he believes has led to the increase in abortions throughout the country, Mr de Paor said, since the repeal, “a lot of people now don’t consider it as murder”.

He also believes abortion has been “made too easy in the country” and advises anyone who is seeking support to visit organisations such as St Vincent de Paul and Rachel’s Vineyard.

Life Talks

Later this month, Choose Life will hold a second Life Talks event with prominent Pro Life guest speakers in Mullahoran Community Centre in Killydoon.

Guest speakers will include Peadar Poibin, Ronan Mullen, Carolyn O’Meara, Linda Farrelly and Peter Grenham.

It will take place on Saturday, September 16, with doors open at 2pm.

Supports

For information and support on all your options, including continued pregnancy supports and abortion services, contact the My Options freephone line on 1800 828 010.