Up until now it has been really difficult to be allowed an abortion in Northern Ireland. Whereas the 1967 Abortion Act allows women to get an abortion in the rest of the UK, in Northern Ireland you would only be allowed an abortion for double effect – if the mother’s life is at risk if she continues with the pregnancy. This is in line with Catholic teachings on abortion.
Today though, in a momentous court decision, a high court judge has said Northern Ireland’s almost outright ban on abortion stops women and girls receiving their human rights. It recommends that women who become pregnant from rape and incest or that the unborn baby has fatal abnormalities (which will lead to its death) should in future be allowed to have an abortion in Northern Ireland. The newspaper article continues to explain how the Northern Irish government is unhappy about this ruling and may try to stop it coming into force.